RETIREMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICE ARNEY AND JUDGE GRAY.

Evening Star, Issue 3776, 1 April 1875, Page 2

RETIREMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICE ARNEY AND JUDGE GRAY.

At the banco sitting at Auckland yesterday afternoon, Chief Justice Sir George Arney took leave of the Bench and Bar. Mr Whitaker, on behalf of himself and colleagues, made a snort farewell speech, in which he expatiated upon the patient and impartial consideration which his Honor had always bestowed upon cases brought before him, and the courtesy he had always extended to the legal profession. They were sincerely sorry te lose him, but at the same time trusted that he would live long enjoy that ease in retirement he had so merited. His Honor responded in a speech replete with feeling, and thanked them for their kind expression of good will He said that time and. failing years rendered it impossible for him to discharge his duties satisfactorily. He spoke encouragingly to the young men members of the Bar, and said the time would come when the Bar would be a power in the land. At Lawrence yesterday Judge Wilson Gray occupied the Bench of the Otago Goldfield’s District Court for the last time. The business was very itrlvial, and at its close Judge Gray, who is still very ill, had to be assisted off the Bench. But for his expressed desire to the contrary there would have been a public demonstration. A telegram to the ‘ Daily Times ’ says“ Messrs M'Coy and Qeoday, the solicitors practising in the Court, present, went forward ti> the Bench, when his Honor shook hands with them in a feeling and most friendly manner. About half-a-dozen other Sersons were present in Court, actuated by the esire to witness the last official >aot of one they so very much respected. Throughout his illness it has ever been Mr Gray’e ambition to be able to complete the duties of his office, terminating te-day. His state of health has not improved, and how he managed to gather sufficient strength to undergo the fatigue of this aftemoeo surprises even his medlod attendants.”