THE LATE MR J. A. CASSIDY.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1920, Page 4

THE LATE MR J. A. CASSIDY.

BAR FAYS TRIBUTE.

(Christchurch Fress.)

Feeling reference was made to the death of the late Mr J. A. Cassidy, at the Magistrate’s Court, on Saturday morning, prior to the ordinary business being dealt with. The legal profession was represented by Messrs J. J. Dougall, C. Harper, C. S. Thomas, P. J. Amodeo, F. W. Johnston, E. White, O'. T. J.- vAlpers, F- D. Sargent, L. A. Dougall, 11. Twynebam, M. J. Gresson, J. S. Barrett, AV. J. Sim, and F. Cowlishaw. Others present included Sub-Inspector Dew, Chief-De-tectivo Mcllveney, Mr A. H. Holmes (Registrar of the Supreme Court), Rev. P. Reve.ll (Anglican Church Missioner), Rev. F. Rule (P. 5.5.0.) and Captain Barnes (Salvation Army).

Mr J. J. Dougall (vice-president of the Canterbury Law Society) said that within the past 24 hours the sad news had been received that a much honoured member of the profession had passed away. The late Mr Cassidy bad spent practically the whole of his life in Christchurch and was known to all for his cordial sympathy with and deep insight into human nature. His professional dutes brought him into contact with all classes of the community The profession believed that it had lost a good member and the community a good man. Mr Dougall said that tho late gentleman had been a life-long friend of his, and deep regret was felt at bis having gone to the “bourne from whence no traveller returns.’ He wished to extend the deepest .sympathy to Mrs Cassidy and her daughter, and to Mr H. Cassidy, the father of the deceased.

Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., said that during the short period he had been in Christchurch he had been impressed not only by the late gentleman’s kindness, ability and common sense, but also by his high sense of honour and ideas of professional ethics. He was saying this also on behalf of Air V. 'G. Day, S.M., who was unable to be present, and of the Court staff, who all joined in deep sympathy with the late Air Cassidy’s relatives.

Air G. Harper, speaking as one of the oldest members of the Bar, said he had known Air Cassidy all the time he had been in practice, and could en. dorse what had been said. Air Cassidy had been noted for his high ideals and Christian character, and lie was deeply read in legal lore and history, and was conversant with much that had been written concerning the great legal men of the past. It liad always been a pleasure to bear him speak.

Out of tribute to the late Air Cassidy, the Court then adjourned for five minutes and after the morning’s /business bad been disposed of, the Court further adjourned until this afternoon, at 2.13., to enable members of the legal profession to attend the funeral, which took place on Alonday morning. The 'Canterbury Press Club, at its meting on Saturday night, passed a resolution of oondolence with the relatives of the late Air J. A. Gassidy, in the loss they had sustained. Air Cassidp was a member of the club.