ADDRESS TO MR. CRAWFORD, R.M.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5391, 8 July 1878, Page 2

ADDRESS TO MR. CRAWFORD, R.M.

About twenty members of the Wellington Bar met in the Resident Magistrate’s Court on .Saturday to bid farewell to Mr. Crawford, R.M., on his retirement from the Bench. . Mr. Brandon, as senior, member of the profession, said that he had been requested, on behalf of the members of the Bar, to express their appreciation of the courtesy and urbanity that Mr. Crawford had at all times shown during his position as Resident Magistrate, He would also say that though his decisions were sometimes adverse to their clients, all the members of the Bar were certain in their own minds that’ the decisions so arrived at were given to the best of his ability, and that he had been actuated by the strictest impartiality. Mr. Brandon then concluded by hoping that Mr. Crawford might live to enjoy many more years. ' Mr. Crawford said that he felt extremely flattered by receiving such a flattering address from the numerous members of which the Wellington- Bar was now composed. - He remembered it many years ago when it consisted of the almost pre-historic names of only a few. He had seen it merge into the mediasval time of Mr. Gordon Allan, Mr. Hart, and Mr, Brandon. He was gratified to see the talent of the rising generation, as exemplified by Mr. Fitz Gerald, Mr. Bell, and others. Mr, Crawford said he was not given to speech making, and thanked the legal profession for its flattering address. It would be valued both by himself and family. Mr. E. T. Gillon, on behalf of the reporters, next presented Mr. Crawford with* a collection of books in memory of the occasion.

Mr. Crawford said that such a gift was quite unexpected. He considered that the business of the Press was more to find fault than to praise. Mr. Baker, Clerk of the Court, next presented Mr. Crawford with a photographic group, of the officers of the Court, and stated that during the twelve and a-half years he % had worked under Mr. Crawford there had not a single cross word passed between them. Mr. Crawford returned the Court officials his warmest thanks for the present.Mrs. J. C. Crawford, who had been sitting by Mr. Crawford’s side, then came forward and presented Mr. Baker and Inspector Atcheson each with a handsome silver cup. Mrs.. Crawford said she hoped that they would both long be spared to drink from them. The recipients having returned thanks in suitable terms, the proceedings terminated.