SUPREME COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 13, 15 January 1875, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

n|^N%) TflIS day.%^:

I V{v^i<fte his Honor Mr. Justice Richmond ]

**•* After The disposal of a few unimportant motions, Mr, Henry Adams rose and stated that he was deputed on behalf of the Nelson Bar, to present a short address expressive of the high eeteem in which his Honor was held by them and of the regret tbey all felt at bis departure. Mr Adams referred in warm terms to tbe uniform courtesy and kindness with which his Honor had alwajs treated the Bar, and his accessibility at all times, even ut the expense of his persona! convenience. He then read the address, which was signed by all the barristers and solicitors practising in Nelson, and was as follows : — To His Honor Mr. Justice Richmond. Sir — We, the undersigned barristers and solicitors of the Supr.me Court of New Zealand practising in Nelson, desire upon your departure from tbis district to express to your Honor the de-psenße we enter-' ain^of ihe uniform patience and courtesy, ani,~if we may te allowed to say so, of the at ility with which you have at all times dtscha-ged tho high functions of your office, and upheld and justified that respect for the adminirtation of tbe law which is at the root of social well-being We tru>t that your Honor wid take these few' "words not as a formal tribute, but as the expression of a genuine feeding, And with every wish that your health ni.y be renewed, We beg to subscribe ourselves with the deep? st re**pcCt, Your Honor's faiihful and obedient servants, Henry Adasis. Albert Pitt. Halpii Richardson. W. Acton B Adams. Charles Y. Fell. A. S. Atkinson. Charles L. Maclean. Harrt V. Golly. H. E. P. Adams. His Honor, in replying, .aid: — Gentlemen, it is witb real .ati.f action that I receive this testimony of your feelings towards me. for which, or rather for a formal expression of which, I was not prepared. I have good reason to believe from personal experience that many of you entertain towards me the eentimentß you havo expressed, for which I am very grateful. I have always endeavored to cultivate a good unCcr. landing with the Bar, be ieving, aB I do, thn without their cordial co-operation the Bench is comparatively inefficient. I fully agree with 3ou as to th 6 immense importance of the functions discharged by this Court, which are, indeed, of greater importance to society at large than cau be fully understood by thus? who have not given tho matter some thonght. There is nothing that more hnppily aistlnsui.-hes English .ociety from tnat of other countries than the position accorded by it to its higher c urts of justice, and tbe influence of these courts is largely depeudent upon the cordial co-operation of Bench and Bar I believe that the Bar here, «b a body, often feel that they are responsible with me for the proper discharge of the functions of the Court, and this is the way in which the Bar should regard tht-mselves. An honest lawyer is us useful a member of society as can ba. There an>, no doubt, aa in other occupations, temp'atiouß to go astray, but the.man who can resist th. in h.is an honorable and important function to per oral, and is a great blessing to society. I think that you have often ai Jed my endeavors to rtischnrge the duties of the Court, aod that without your ueuatance my efforts would, to some extent, have been

unavailing. With regard to what you have said abou. interfering with my private convenience, I can say that you have never trespassed upon it. Gentlemen, I assure you thai- 1 feel as much regret at parting with you as you do at parting with me.