RETIREMENT OF MR M‘INTIRE, R.M.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume III, Issue 290, 28 September 1881, Page 3

RETIREMENT OF MR M‘INTIRE, R.M.

At the conclusion of the business at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Mr Rogers on behalf of the bar and the public addressed the retiring magistrate, Mr M‘lntire as follows :—‘‘As it is understood this is the last occasion upon which your Worship will preside over the Court, the representatives of the legal profession feel it incumbent upon them to speak on behalf of themselves and the public they represent as to the manner in which your duties have been performed, Through the mem hers of the bar the public are represented in Court and I am sure 1 am but expressing the general opinion when I state that the public full) recognise the care and attention which have invariably been bestowed upon every subject brought before you. There arc various manners in which the duties of a magistrate may be discharged, namely, in a gentlemanly manner without forgetting dignity; in a short, curt, and dignified maimer, or by snubbing others in various ways. As a member of the profession, I may say there is only one idea as to the manner in which you have acquitted yourself, and that is that it lias invariably been, without exception, courteous and obliging. It is understood that you are about to resume the practice of your profession amongst us, and we wis! you every success. We also trust that yo; successor will give as much satisfaction as you have done. In reply, Mr M'lntire, who eke with some emotion, said :—lt is a try. ; moment to me, the last moment at whic 1 preside over the Court over which I ha i presided with perfect satisfaction for 1 c greater part of three years. I need no' .ay it was with the deepest and utmost g tification I listened to the observations ’.rich have just fallen from Mr Rogers on b (.alt of the bar and the public. Neither . ed I say that I, at the same time, fel. :liat I did not deserve all the observatioi lie used, but in regard to that, all I can say is that the bar lias been kind and courteous enough to accept the will for tlm deed, and the public I trust lias also done so If I have often fallen short in the admin strati on of perfect justice, I trust the will has also .been taken for the deed. I shall not

trouble you with any statement as to my reasons for ictirement. I may say that it is not from any feeling of envy at the prosperity of my professional brethren. It would be neither right nor proper for me from this place to give reasons for impcaching Government. I must in justice to the members of the bar say that during the course of their brilliant discharge of their duties towards their clients they have never forgotten what was due to myself as the representative of Her Majesty, nor the sanctityof the Court of Law. I may also compliment the district of Marlborough upon possessing a junior bar which is second to none in the colony. I have had opportunities of observing the Courts in other districts, and I can repeat this remark with perfect confidence. I have heard advocacy before this bar which would do credit to the highest tribunal in this country, or indeed in any other country. I shall not take up your time by making any further remarks, but wish in conclusion to again express my gratification with the manner in which my past services have been alluded to.