VALEDICTORY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 44, 15 November 1937, Page 9

VALEDICTORY

Mr. R. F. Baird Mr. R. P. Baird, who ia on transfer to Auckland after holding for several years the office of District Land Registrar and other associated appointments at Napier, was recently farewelled by members of the District Law Society. The president, Mr. H. B. Lusk, in cxpressing the regret of solieitors in tho district that Mr. Baird was leaving, referred to tho unfailing courtesy he had shown and the ready assistance he had always given in worthy cases, and also to his exceptionally valuable work since the earthqnake. Mr. Lusk wislied Mr, Baird success and liappiness in Auckland, and extended c, welcorae .

fto Mr. Adams, his successor, who was also present, Mr. M. R. Grant, vice-presidenfc, said that Hawke's B.ay had boen particularly fortunate in having a man of Mr. Baird 's' calibre and ability in chaTge of the land registry after the earthquake, and that the work he had done in the uiiprecedented task of reconstructing a destroyed register was remarkably finp. Mr. S. H. Morrison, who had at one time worlced in the registry under Mr. Baird, spoke in similar terms of the esteem ho felt for him. Mr. Baird was presented with a gold wristlet watch, suitably inscribed, and a rug of Napier manufacture, as a memento of his sojourn in the district. After thanking those present for their gifts to him, Mr. Baird entered into reminiscence-s of his experience duripg the period immediaUIy Jnliow- 1

ing the earthquake, mentioning that he considpred he had been instrumental in- saving the Hawke's Bay register from being incorporated in ' that of the Wellington district. He thought that thp work he had done might have been equally well • performed by his successor, Mr. Adams, whose high qualities he wi£hed .to emphaslse. Several apologies were. received from country solieitors who could not be present.