The New Judge

NZ Truth, Issue 1198, 15 November 1928, Page 6

The New Judge

WHEN a. barrister answering to the name of Smith was elevated to the Supreme. Court bench recently, many there were, even m the legal profession, who sat up and asked: "Who is he?" - Tiiey know to-day. For his honor Mr. Justice Smith has been tried as a learned judge and has not been found wanting. . , '• ' . He presided at. the opening of the criminal sessions "at Auckland '.last week and it was iiot many minutes before he had. demonstrated his ability and skill.'. . ; His slimming up before a. jury is a model of concise reasoning, for the analytical mind is very ; much m evidence. .He sees a case m all its detail and has the. happy knack— if such It can be called— of marshalling the facts m well-ordered sequence. The result is clarity, clear reasoning and a faultless review of the whole case. But his honor is. not only wellequipped m a wide knowledge of the law. His- innate courtesy and; dignified bearing make him, one of the most Inspiring members of, the higher court bench. ..' ■He looks tliejnart- of the judge I—and1 — and counsel' an 4 litigants who have appeared before him have; not only been impressed with' -his dignity, but have formed the highest estimation of his abilities, which rest on the rock-bottom foundation of learning and scrupulous fairness to all parties; In short. Judge Smith is an acquisition to the bench.