DOYEN OF THE BENCH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1572, 16 October 1912, Page 3

DOYEN OF THE BENCH.

SIR JOSHUA WILLIAMSTHE TRIBUTE OF BENCH AND BAR. lIIS 'HONOUR'S CAREER. Members of the New Zealand Law Societies met ill the Magistrate's Court building yesterday afternoon for the purpose of making a presentation of silver plate lo his Honour Sir .Joshua AVillianw in commemoration of his . knighthood. Considerably over one hundred members of the Bar were present. His Honour was accompanied by Lady Williams. Among-those present were: The Chief .!notice' (Sir Robert Stout), 111'. Justice Denliiston, 31 r. Justice Edwards, Air. Justice Cooper, Mr. Justice Chapman, the Hon. H. D. Bell, K.C., president of the New Zealand Law Society, The Solicitor-Gen-eral (Mr. J.- \V. Salmund), Mr. C. 1". Skerrett, K.C., Air. T. W. Stringer, K.C., and Jtr. G. Harper (representing the Canterbury District Law .Society), Mr. J. A. Hosking, K.C. (representing the ! Otago District Law Society), Jlr. l'opplewclt (repreamling the Southland District- Law Society, the Hon. Sir Chas.' Bowen, Speaker of the Legislative Council, the Hon. 0. Samuel, AI.L.C., the Hon. It. A. Loughnan, M.L.C., Mr. T. .M. Wilford, M.r., Mr. W. H. D. Bell, M.l\, Mr. E. I>. Lee, Jt.l\, and many others.

Among those forwarded apologies for absenco were the Attorney-General (the Hon. A. L. Herd man), the Hon. Jas. Allen, Sii Arthur Guinness, Sir John Eindlay, K.C., and Sir James l'rondergast, formerly Chief Justice. Articles of Presentation. Tho presentation took the form of magnificent silver candelabra and a massive silver salver. The hitler was inscribed with a crest and coat of arms, bearing (ho niotlo: "Deo Adjuvants 11011 timenduui." Under this were the fallowing words:— . . Presented to the- Honourable ' Sir Joshua Strange Williams, Knight, a. Justice of the .Supreme Court of the Dominion of New Zeatand, by the district law societies of that Dominion, in token of the affection and admiration .in which his Honour lias ever been held by> the. legal profession throughout tho Do-, minion, and in grateful recognition ot his long and distinguished judicial service, his eminent learning, ami his exalted character—l9l2. Tribute by Hen, H. D. 8f.11,. K.C.

The Hon. H. 1). Bell, K.C., who made the presentation, mentioned (hat the movement had first originated in Canterbury, where his Honour had formerly practised. The present occasion was one which gavo them nil great pleasure. It was a celebration of the honour whidh the Sovereign had conferred upon his Honour. There were many things upon which tiie profession was not at one; hut this was a matter regarding which all were unanimous.. Those for whom ho spoke were men who had had their wises tried before his Honour, men who had tried his patience, and :at no time had it ever been doubted that that. honest and upright Judge liad not made aii earnest. effort to do justice in-the matter before him. "1 don't say we were all.isatisticd," ciuitinued Mr. liell, "but no man has ever suggested that Hie judgment was not right in your own mind. Let me speak, too, of a courtesy which was extended to young and old—u courte.-.v which has been an attornment of the lieneh." Mr. iiell proceeded to say that they all hoped that lie (Sir .Joshua .\\ Uliams) would continue to hold the position in which he had long been estfeiued botli as a Judge and as a man. "We hope," ho concluded, "that tlioso who bear your name will in time to como value this tangible expression of our affection. in regard to you." (Applause.) Mr. J. A. Hosking, K.C. Mr. J. A. Hosking, K.C., president of the Otago Law Society, eit:tors?ed what Mr. Bel] had said, and referred lo Die admiration which members of the Bar felt for his Honour on account uf his learning, his unfailing courtesy, his patience, his fairness, and his impartiality. His Honour's V/ord of Reply.

"There are times;" said his Honour, in reply, "when the heart is too full for words." This was one of those times when he felt that he could not express hi:s feelings. Jtr. Bell and Mr. Hosking had referred to him in terms which he conld hardly imagine lie deserved. From the bottom of his heart, he thanked the members of file bar for tlieir'preseuts, and he hoped that the articles would be prized by those who came fjjter him. He had been must, fortunate in relations with his colleagues, present and past. Of these, he specially mentioned ' Sfr James l'rendergast, who tie was.pleasod to say was still .alive, the late Mr. Justice Richmond, Mr. Justice Johnson, and Mr. Justice Gillies. The Hon. Mr.- Bell had read some sentiments which had emanated from Canterbury. His Honour's earliest recollections were of Canterbury. It was fifty years ago this month since he entered public life iu that province, as member of- the Provincial Council, and jt was fifty years ago last March since he had commenced the practice of his profession there. Ilis Honour, then went, oil to speak of the pleasure which it gave him to liear that lie was still remembered there, and also expressed pleasure at seeing among those present, Hir 'Chas. Bowen, wliose associations with Canterbury 'dated back to the time to which his Honour was referring.

"Jtr. Bell had said that you hope that I shall continue to hold the position I now occupy," continued his Honour.

"There is no use concealing the fact that one lias got rather old, but, at the same time, I admit that I do really enjoy my work Hip to a certain point. (Applause.) There is no donbt that the hearing of jury cases and the trying of criminals is rather making a toil of a pleasure, l>nt apart from that there is nothing that interests me more than hearing" legal argument. Really, gentlemen, I can. only thank.you all from the bottom of my heart for your great, and. I think, undeserved kindess. I thank you." (Applause.) The gathering then gave cheers for Sir Joshua and Lady "Williams.