BENCH AND BAR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1001, 16 December 1910, Page 8

BENCH AND BAR.

-——♦ ——— THE LAW STUDENTS; LORD ISLINGTON ON BRITISH JUSTICE,' The' annual dinner of the Wellington Law Students' Association, which was held at the Hotel Windsor last night, was graced by the presence of his Excellency the Governor (Lord Islington). Sir., C. IV Skerrett, K.C., presided, and was supported by his Honour Mr. Justico Cooper, Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., Mr. E. W. Stafford {president of the "Wellington District Law Society), the-Hon. T. W. Hislop, Mr. A. de B. Brandon, Mr. A. Gray, and other prominent, members of the legal profession wero present. Apologies for absence were received from the Chief Justico (Sir. Robert Stout), the Attorney-General (Hon. Dr. Findlayi K.C.), Mr. Riddell, S.M., Mr. J. W. Salhiond (Solicitcr-General), Mr. E. D. Bell, and others. The toast of "His Excellency the, Governor" was proposed by the chairman. ■ ' Speech by the Governor. Lord Islington,. who was received with much applause, .expressed great pleasure at meeting members of the legal profession and others associated with it under such pleasant "conditions, bf hoped to meet them often, but only under such genial circumstances as at present, (Laughter and applause.) •' He claimed to know bnt little of the law, except so far. as he had tried during, his career either to comply with it or. to evade it. (Laughter.)' He regarded the legal profession as one of the greatest of the factors that contributed to the strength and stability of the .British race .throughout. the world. Ask a foreigner of any country what he admired most in British institutions, and would reply that he most admired British justice, with its accuracy in interpretation and its., disinterested and impartial administration. This was a great possession, one that all wero proud of, and that all classes could rely on. The law students wero entering '. nil honourable profession. To succeed in it they required not only drains and study, but also high character and' high ideals. The legal profession Tightly claimed to stand second to nono in devotion to tho ideals of tho Empire, and its members were anxious to do anything in their power to strengthen and consolidate it.

ilr. H-- H. Ostler, in the course of a speech proposing -'The Bench," quoted standard text-books ,to show the high esteem in which the New Zealand Supreme Court is held . by legal authorities. . A Bench to be Proud of. Mr. Justice Cooper, in responding, 'expressed . regret for the absence of the Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Williams. He' alluded to the' latter's long term, on the Bench ,_(34 years) as, the longest of any jtidge in the Empire.. except one. He eulogised Mr. Justico Williams's impartiality and other ' great judicial, qualities, and remarked that while taking his placo in Dunedin ho had found that there was no man in Otago more esteemed than his Honour.' New Zealand had in her judges of tho past, from the first of them —Sir .William Martin—downwards, men that any colony might be proud of. His Honour gratefully acknowledged tho kindness'of his brother -judges, and the assistance he had received from the members of the Bar during his ten years as a judge. The Bar of New Zealand was a distinguished one, and lie thought that, in its most importa'nt aspects, it was. equal, to the ; ' English Bar. He would ask the students to remember that the knowledge of the law -was ndt to- be acquired merely, bv being ablo to answer a set of examination questions. There was' no royal road to -becoming a successful advocate. Hrfrd work-was the only method, and he ventured to think that not quite so much energy was thrown into law studies as in the. old days. He hoped, that tho high ideals which had -actuated the New Zealand bar for the ■last fifty years would never be lowered. The profession was rapidly becoming crowded, and every member could not become' a successful advocate, but every one ' could be an honourable man. The constitutional liberties of England, they should remember, had been preserved by the .Bar of England. (Applause.) "The People's Court." Dri M'Arthur, S.M., who was . also associated with the toast, gave his aSclition to the preceding eulogies of the Supreme Court bench. The "People's Court," with which he was . connected, decided cases which were just as. important to the parties as., those in the -higher Court. . The" magistrates generally were honourable and capable men, who carried out their duties, in-i.an-independent and upright manner/. Dr. A. W. Izard; in a witty speech, proposed "The' Bar."/ Advice' to Students. . Mr. Skerrett, ICC., in his reply, turned to the students,'and remarked: "I .say to .you, 'Do not funk. Tacklo whatever is given you.'" Mr. Skerrett.also. referred to the matter of remuneration for legal service's.' In order that they should not become mere hucksters, it . was necessary that the standard .of professional fees.should be kept at" a reasonable figure. One particularly gcod effort of the* Law Student?' Association was that it.fostered esprit de corps, one of. the most powerful means of keeping" up the honour and integrity. of the 'profession.-' '.- 'Hie, toast of: "The .Law Students" was proposed by Mr. W., H.. D. Bell. Mr. Julius Hogben responded. ■ . / Songs were sung ,by Mr. V. Meredith and Mr. J. Dykes.