PRESENTATION TO MR. R. B. WILLIAMS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 163, 3 April 1908, Page 4

PRESENTATION TO MR. R. B. WILLIAMS.

Members of tho legal profession-mustered in goodly number at tho Empire Hotel yesterday aftcijnoon to express their esteem for Mr. R. B. Williams, and to drink a parting glass/with him prior to his departure' on a trip, to America." Mr. C. B. Skerrott" ii.O., who presided, communicated, apologies for absenco from ■ the Attorney-General (the; m Ji' alu ' other gentlemen. ii ' Skerrott then proposed 'the health of the .guest. He said that Mr. .Williams had' come , hero .many; years ago in', another profession, and as a comparative-stranger,' arid with, no .outfit for his. p'fcsent.positioii: other I . l ] a " ? Sood University education and a pre-'' dilection for tho Jaw. \'- By ability , a'nd, indomitable industry he had. built up a-verv successful practice, and won. the high esteem of- tho eiitiro legal profession-, in, Wellington.'' luey all knew him as a man in-whose honour they, could place tho, fullest confidence,' and one whose voice was always to. be , raised' for those needing .help.. Ho .-wished .him, on behalf of tho legal fraternity.! a pleasant journey i and a safe return'. Finally,' Mr okerrett presented the guest with a'handsome travelling rug and cigar case! . The Hon. T. W. Hislop (Mayor, of Welling-: ton; added <■). few'. appreciative words;' I 'I'S-to tho porsonal arid professional qualities of Mr. Williams. - ' Ho, regarded their l.rioi'd s. career as perhaos the nio!st -romantic among, tho !members- pf .their' profession in this city. It was a 'career wlp'ch bbre eloquent.testimony, to the'grand results of'that ' of- America many years ago,' aijd'. they,"wore very glad to have liini amongst tlierii as oiio who had been an Ambricnh: citizen.' '*'•* ,'•••• Mr. Williams suitably . acknnwled|i!«d v 'tho tfifts and the compliments-paid liinV, and spoko feelingly of the kindness thafhad bom shown' him by tho legal profession hero'. He would look ..forward .eagerly-to his - return, six months hence;' for-.bo-: was. leaving his' heart lnlNew Zealand, ' (Applause.)!' -i