BENCH AND BAR

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 212, 2 June 1921, Page 9

BENCH AND BAR

MR. RIDDELL FAREWELLED PRESENTATION FROM LAWYERS The members of the Wellington Bar assembled in strong force in the Magistrate's Court at 4 p.m. yesterday, with the object of bidding au revoir to Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., who has entered upon a furlough of six months. Besides the members of the Bar, the Commissioner of Police (Mr. J. O’Donovan) and Inspector M'llveiiey, of th© local police, were present. Mr. Riddell, who took his seat on the Bench, had with him Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., who was his associate locally for some time. Mr. H. F. O’Leary, president of the Wellington Law Society, said that they had assembled to say good-bye to Mr. Riddell on the eve of his departure for a long holiday that had been well earned, and to express the wish that his holiday would be a, pleasant one, and also to express the sincere hope that he would return in good health, to carry on the work of Senior Magistrate of Wellington. When it became known to members of the Bar that Mr. Riddell was to have an extended holiday, there was a general desire to show in a public manner- their appreciation of Mr. Riddell’s work, and a>‘ desire that they should publicly proclaim the esteem and respect in which he was held by rhe legal practitioners of the city. Mr. Riddell had been on the Bench since 1904, and ever since, 1907— that was for the. greater part of hiscareer ns a Magistrate—he had been in Wellington. When he came to Wellington the gonial Dr. M'Arthur was the Chief Magistrate, and on the death of Dr. M'Arthur, Mr. Riddell became Senior Magistrate. He was voicing the sentiments of the members of the Bar when he said that their relations with Mr. Riddell had been cordial and harmonious, and they were proud and justly proud of their Senior Magistrate. They had to thank him for his unfailing courtesy, end he had won their regard and confidence. The promptitude with which he got through the business had won their admiration. When he said promptitude l.e did not wish His Worship to think that he was perfect in the administration of justice; what they meant was that he held rhe record for disposing of the charge-sheet in the morning. He had known his clients come to the court on a Monday morning and go out again not knowing whether they had been sentenced to sudden death or acquitted. In addition to saying farewell to Mr. Riddell. they were entitled to something more—they weri er titled to give him a little present which in the years to come would serve to remind him of the pleasant relations ’ that hod existed between him and the Bar. He trusted Mr. Riddell would have a pleasant holiday.

Mr. M. F. Luckie, vico-president of the Wellington Law Society, also spoke in eulogy of Mr. Riddell’s work as a Magistrate, and endorsed the sentiments expressed by Mr. O’Leary. Mr. Riddell’s unfailing courtesy, remarked Mr. Luckie, and his great patience, which at times had been deeply tried by them, and he was not the least of the offenders —had endeared him to them. Mr. Riddell’s judgments had always heen eminently fair, and His Worship had tho fullest confidence of every member of the Bar »t all times.

Mr. O’Leary then asked Mr. Riddell to accept from the legal practitioners in Wellington a gold watch, which had been suitably inscribed, and in doing so said there was no presentation made by the Bar that had been so cordially supported. Mr. Riddell's Response. Mr. Riddell, on rising to respond, was received with applause. He said he wished to tharSc them sincerely for the kind remarks that had been made about him, and he also wished to thank them for their handsome present. It was sixteen and a half years since he was first appointed to the Magistracy, and he had spent fourteen years of that time in Wellington. When he first took his seat on the, Bench here he was welcomed by the Bar, many of whom were with them that day. On that occasion he was assured of the assistance of the menibers of the Bar, and that promise had been fulfilled. While he had presided at the Court the relations between himself and the members of the Bar had been harmonious, and it was in a large measure due to that fact that hid t.art of the work had bee t lightened He was fortunate on arrival in Wellington to have been associated with the late Dr. M‘Arthur, who was one of Nature’s gentlemen and a Magistrate who was endowed with common sense and a spirit of natural justice, combined with an unfailing supply of good humour. With Dr. M'Arthur, he (Mr. Riddell) had a high standard of duty constantly before him. For the first six and half years he presided at the Police Court, and he was aided there not only by the legal profession, but alio by efficient and competent police officers, whose standard of duty was high, and whose fairness to the accused could never be impeached. The present Commissioner of Police was at that time the sub-inspector, and Superintendent M'Grath the chief-detective. He had also been fortunate in that the court officials had been able and attentive to their various duties. Mr. Holmes, now registrar of the Supreme Court at Christchurch, was then the clerk of tho Court. He was a man of ability, and understood the practice of the Courts. Mr. Riddell than referred in appreciative terms to the assistance he had received from the Court staff, the probation officers, and the Salvation Army officials. He also thanked the Press for the uniform fairness and correctness of their reports, which he knew were sometimes made under very difficult conditions owing to the faulty acoustic properties of tho court room, and the inevitable noise and chatter that was experienced at times. He again expressed his thanks to all present, and hoped on his roturn he would find them all in their .places.