AT AUCKLAND.

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

AT AUCKLAND.

'' SPEECH BY THE ATTORNEYGENERAL. By TelecraDh.—Press Assoclatloa.l Auckland, May 9. The members of the Auckland Bar assembled in the Supreme Court this morning to pay, their tribute to the late King, and to express their sorrow for his death. Mr. Justice Edwards, supported by Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., and Mr. E. C. Cutten,. S.M., presided. Among those present was the AttorneyGeneral (the Hon. Dr. Findlay). • Mr. Justice Edwards, in addressing the Attorney-Genoral and the other members of tho Bar, paid a tribute to ,tho late King as a sovereign and diplomatist.

The Hon. Dr. Findlay, addressing his Honour,,said:—"To what has fallen on this sad occasion from your Honour I desire to add, on behalf of the legal profession of Now Zealand, a few words of profound and sorrowful respect. To-day we, the members of the New Zealand Bar, mourn the loss of a King. The man transcends tbo monarch. His muto dust and living worth appeal today to" human hearts the wide world over, not as ruler alone, not so much as ruler, wise and prescient though he was, but rather as a kindly, steadfast, and sincere friend. It began amid the dark clouds of the South African War and the notes of European discord that conflict aroused. How well he served the Empire then and since in many a perilous step of State-craft wo do not as yet know. We, perhaps, shall uever

know. What nobler office can a monarch fill than that of honourable peacemaker among nations, and what ho whose death wo mourn did for the world's peace deserves more lasting fame than all the conquests. ,of .. our warrior kings of old. He loved and lived and laboured quietly and unselfishly for our Empire, and the stabla throne of England is stabler still to-, day for his lite's work. He loved our world-wide Empire, and not the least! ho loved this young land of ours, a fact of which we have already many', proofs, but many yet I know are to bo revealed. New Zealand seemed to him, the, fair young Britain of the South, the likeliest daughter to the Mothet Land, and while for us his life; encloses a thousand claims to reverence, one of its closing scenes appeals profoundly to our hearts. The wind of death's imperishable wing was already upon the King when our Governor-designate 'kissed hands.' Surely the ' physical effort demanded for that interview from a dying man was felt and intended to be the last proof of his affection, for Now Zealand and its people. His final message to us" probably Lord Islington will bring with 'him.. Meanwhile this pathetic scene suggests to and for us a loving parting benediction'. Throughout his reign in many a difficulty England had need of him, bub never did she need more his patience,-; tact, and ripened judgment than now, when he has passed into silence. This accentuates our sense of loss, and feeds a haunting feeling of reproach that while he lived we missed the proper measure of his greatness."

The Hon. J. A. Tole (Crown Solicitor)'! and Mr. J. II: Reed (president of the Auckland Law Society) also spoke, and the Court adjourned until to-morrow.