FROM BENCH AND BAR.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 813, 10 May 1910, Page 8

FROM BENCH AND BAR.

TRIBUTE BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE. IMPRESSIVE OCCASION. "Silence, for_ their Honours the King's Judges!" Never did these words resound in the Supreme Court more solemnly than yesterday. When the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) and Mr. Justico Chapman—the only two judges in Wellington—took their seats in the Bench at 11 o'clock, the Supreme Court was crowded. The Magistrate's Court having adjourned, the two Wellington magistrates, Messrs. W. G. Riddell and W. R. Haselden, were present, and occupied seats on the Registrar's Bench. The solicitors' benches were full—4/ solicitors, from all parts of the North Island, appearing in wig and gown, and as many more attending in unofficial dress. ' The SolicitorGeneral (Mr. J. W. Salmond), Mr. Martin Chapman, K.C., Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., Mr. Myers (Crown Prosecutor), and Mr. E. Stafford (president of the Wellington District Law Society) occupied the front bench. There were also present representatives of both Houses «f Parliament, the Official Assignee, Police-Inspector Ellison, Sub-Inspector Norwood, Chief-Detective Broberg, the entire staff of the detcctivo branch, and numerous representatives of the- police force from all ,parts of the city and suburbs. Upstairs, there were a dozen occupants of the ladies' gallery, and the general galleries for the public were crowded with a standing throng—grand jurors, common jurors, witnesses, and others concerned with the business of the criminal sittings, but whoso chief thought now was one of sorrow at the nation's loss. So groat was the crush that grand jurors found it difficult to obtain passage to the jury-box when their names were called. His Honour: "True Things Truly Dons." When the Grand Jury had been empanelled and had t;iken the oath, his Honour the Chief Justice turned towards them, and, speaking with solemnity befitting the. occasion, said:— "Mr. foreman and gentlemen of the Grand Jury, you have all heard of the calamity which has befallen our Empire in the death of our King Edward the Seventh, a worthy son of an illustrious mother. This is not the fitting time or place to pronounce an eulogy on his life. We —for I speak for my brother judges as well as myself—may be pardoned if we say that no monarch of any country has been so universally recognised as a ruler whose object was to bring about a real brotherhood of men. It was not in our Empire only that ho was called a peacemaker, but in countries whose peoples were not always in accord with our citizens ho was revered as oiie whose main desire was that war should cease. And can thero be a more noble title conferred on any son of man than that of The, Peacemaker y "In his beneficent rule in his wide Dominions he was ever foremost in promoting the welfare of his people and in recognising without distinction of class, or creed, or race, or station in life, any one who was helpful to his fellows or chivalrous in his conduct. His people recognised his aims were just, and revered him as the symbol of the great Empire over which he was placed. He was ever active in tie performance of his duties, and even 111 the face of death ho did what his hand found to do with all his might. According to the length of human life, all people thought that there were yet many moro years of usefulness and ser- < vice. We know, however, that length of years is not always a measure of servicej , , He liveth long who liveth well, All else is life but flung away; . Ha liveth longest who can tell Of true things truly , done each day. "His career is closed, and soon our Empire will acclaim, his successor, our King George the Fifth. May we express a hope that the influence of his father for peace may be exemplified in the now King; striving for the concord of nations and peoples. "In mourning the loss of our Sovereign, our hearts instinctively go out to her, the chief mourner, to her who is overcome with grief at the loss of her husband. May the knowledge that she is not alone in her sorrow, but that tho people of the civilised world share her grief, help her toi carry her heavy burden and solace her in her great bereavement. The Attorney-Cenoral's Deputy. After an interval of silonco, tho assembled solicitors rose up, and Mr. J. W. Salmond asked that, in tho unavoidable absonco of tho Attorney-General (Hon. Dr. Findlny, K.C.), he might express, on behalf of tho Rar.

their sincere sorrow at tho death of King Edward VII. Members of the Bar accepted as their own the sentiments expressed by their Honours, in tho knowledge that that event was one of far-reaching significance, both, nationally and internationally. Tho lato respected King had held his high office for a comparatively brief period. Although ho had attained almost.to the full span allotted to human life, he had worn the Crown for a brief period of nine years, and only during that time had ho had the opportunity of showing his possession of tho qualities of ruler. During that .short period, he had exhibited all tho essential a.nd most necessary virtues of a modern constitutional monarch. People were apt to underestimate tho personality and personal influence of the occupant of the Throne in a modern constitutional government. In international relations the King's personal influence was of supreme importance. In the affairs of tho United Kingdom, it was of far more significance than in any other nation. In various parts of the Empire, it was a bond of union, which was of the utmost .value, and which nothing else could replace. In all these Respects, King Edward had filled the ideal conception of a constitutional monarch. His influence in international matters had been a continual guarantee of peace and friendship, arid, in internal affairs, tho loss of his wise counsel, his mature judgment, and his moderating influence, would be a national misfortune —a misfortuno real enough at any other time, but even more serious at the present moment, in view of the stormy seas by which the British Ship of State was at present surrounded. From one end of the wide British dominions fa'' the other, the feeling was one of sincere regret,., and genuine, almost personal, loss. "His son succeeds him," concluded the Soli-citor-General, "and I wish to convey to your Honours as tho King's Judges, oil behalf of the Bar of this Dominion, our assurance of the allegiance and loyalty t»f the Bar to his Majesty George V, and our loyalty to the Empire of which ho is tho head." For the Law Society. Mr. Martin Chapman, K.C., said that, in the absence of the President of the New Zealand Law Society (Mr. H. D. Bell, K.C.), he had been asked to supplement the remarks of the Soli-citor-General. He wished to give the assurance that the legal profession in. New Zealand heartily and completely reciprocated tho expressions that had fallen from their Honours and from the Solicitor-Gorier;'!. He liad been asked to apologise for the absence of Mr. W. H. Quick, tho oldest practitioner in Wellington. Mr. Edward Stafford said' that the sentiments which their Honours had expressed were exactly the sentiments which would have been expressed by the Wellington District Law Society if they had had the opportunity. They could but endorse their Honours' words, and assure their Honours of their profound and sincere regret for the death of so great and noble a ruler as . King Edward. "The Assurance of Your Loyalty." " Replying to the remarks of the legal gentlemen, his Honour the Chief Justice said: "We shall take the opportunity of forwarding to his Excellency the Governor,, with the intention to be sent on'to-liis Majesty the King, the assurance-of your loyalty to the new King, and your sorrow at the death of Edward VII. We thani you for your attendance to-day. The Court will bo adjourned until-10 o'clock tomorrow morning." IN THE PEOPLE'S COURT. When the Magistrate's Court opened yesterday morning both magistrates,' Mr. W. B. Hasefden, S.M., and Sir. W. G. Riddell, S.M., occupied the bench. Before the first charge was read Mr. Basejden said: "The Bench will tako the business on the chargesheet and when that has been concluded I will say a word on the subject you all have in mind." When the charge-sheet had been completed the whole Court stood up and his Worship, said: "This Court will now adjourn until mid-day in order to give the magistrates and members of the Bar the opportunity of attending the Supreme Court where his Honour the Chief Justice will,'l understand, "make reference to the lamented death of our gracious Sovereign King Edward VII." The' Cdurt adjourned accordingly and on resuming the numerous cases standing on the record book' were disposed of. ' The Courthouse was closed yesterday afternoon and the usual civil sittings for to-day will not be held. A special sitting of the Court will be held at 9 o'clock this morning when the police .charge-sheet will be . dealt with nfter which the Court will close until to-morrow morning when routine business will be resumed. Mr. JUSTICE COOPER'S EULOCY. (By Telegranh—Press Association.) Christctiurch, May 9. In the Supreme Court this morning, Mr. Justice Cooper expressed deep sorrow at the death of the King. He said the suddenness of the calamity had intensified the shock. A great King had passed away—one who realised to the fullest degree the constitutional responsibilities and .duties of the head of. the British Empire—and the feeling of profound sorrow was universal throughout the Empire. His. Majesty had worthily fulfilled the promise made on the death of our beloved Queen Victoria. He quoted>tho tribute 'paid by Mr. Justice Williams in Dunedin, and said ho could himself add nothing to that appreciation. "The Empire is in mourning," ho concluded. "We, in this Dominion, mourn with' deep sorrow the death of. the King, and we one and all, I am sure, from our hearts, desire to express deep sympathy' with Queen Alexandra and the Royal Family in their deep sorrow and affliction." . The .Court adjourned til] to-morrow.