DUFFUSFORMER CHIEF Justice of Jamaica Sir Herbert Duffus has died at the age of 94. Information about his death yesterday was scanty, but it was confirmed by a family member, who did not wish to give any further information.
Sir Herbert was appointed Chief Justice of Jamaica in 1968 and has acted as Governor-General, was Resident Magistrate, Judge in the Court of Appeals and chairman of several Commissions and Com-mittees of Enquiries in Jamaica. He headed some 15 Commissions of Enquiry into issues ranging from allegations of electoral malpractices to civil unrest.
He was born in St. Ann's Bay in 1903, the son of William and Emil. He attended Cornwall College and has been described as one of Jamaica's most outstanding Chief Justices. He was president of the Court of Appeal then Chief Justice from which he retired at age 64.
His report on prison conditions between 1953 and 1954 led to the women prisoners in the General Penitentiary being relocated to what is today the island's main female prison, Fort Augusta, St. Catherine.
His favourite past-time was fishing and he served with distinction in the Boy's Scouts, Jamaica Volunteer Training Corps (part of the local forces who watched the coasts during World War II for enemy ships and submarines) and the Cheshire Homes Movement, which looked after the interests of invalids and which established the Cheshire Village at Mona.
Sir Herbert was knighted by Queen Elizabeth on a visit to the island in 1966.
