FIFTY YEARS AT BAR

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 292, 8 September 1942, Page 3

FIFTY YEARS AT BAR

Four Wellington Lawyers

Four members of the Wellington District Law Society, Messrs. L. T. D. Bell, L. O. 11. Tripp, 15. F. Hadfield and 11. It. von Haast, each of whom has completed 50 years in the practice of his profession, were honoured at a recent gathering. I lie opportunity was taken to welcome members of the United States legal profession who are at present in Wellington. The Chief Justice r (Sir Michael Myers), Mr. Justice Ostler, Mr. Justice Blair, Mr. Justice Smith, and Air. Justice Callan were the guests of the society, and Mr. T. S. Horn, of/the Illinois Bar, American Consul at 'Wellington, accompanied the American guests. The New Zealand Law Society, was represented by the president, Mr; 11. 1. 0 Leary, The speakers were the Chief Justice, Captain Updike (who visited New Zealand in 1927 as a. member of the United States Congress Good Will Delegation to the Pacific Islands), Mr. .Hadfield, and, the president of the Wellington Law Society, Mr. A. B. Buxton. ■ The Chief Justice said the four oldest members of the society had all early taken their places, and remained, m the trout rank of their profession, and had gained the respect and affection ot their fellowpractitioners. They had been foundation members of or staunch and valued supporters of, between them, almost every body, institution, or. society tor the improvement of learning and the advancement of the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the community. They were all sons of pioneer families ot New Zealand, Mr. Bell of a former Native Minister, Speaker of the Legislative Council, and Agent-General for New Zealand; Mr. Tripp of one of the first runholders of Canterbury and a member ot one of the few families still remaining on its land first taken up; Mr. Hadfield of a former Bishop of Wellington, better known,’ perhupj<, lor his missiomiry* work at Otaki: and Mr. von Haast was a son of Sir Julius von Haast, the geologist and explorer of Canterbury, and founder of the Canterbury Museum, to which Mr. Tripp, sen., had been the first donor of an exhibit.