"DISGRACE TO JUSTICE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 922, 15 March 1930, Page 6

"DISGRACE TO JUSTICE”

SUPREME COURT LIBRARY CONDITIONS LAW SOCIETY MEETS The general condition and accommodation of the Auckland Supreme Court library are strongly criticised in the report of the Auckland Law Society, presented to the annual meeting yesterday. Mr. F. L. G. West presided over an attendance of over 100 members. The report described the conditions under which judges and counsel had to work as a disgrace to the administration of justice. Every effort had been made to have the library extended but the society’s hopes had not been realised. The society council had offered financial assistance to the Government for the purpose, but it appeared thnt negotiations between the Government and the City Council concerning the site were no nearer settlement. The society's thanks were conveyed by the report to the Attorney-General, Sir Thomas Sidey, for his work in assisting the passage of the Solicitors’ Fidelity Guarantee Act. The provisions of this statute were unique in the British Empire and were being closely studied by the profession in England and other Dominions. The report remarked that, although the first payments under the scheme might appear a heavy burden on young solicitors, there was reasonable ground fox; believing that the resulting public confidence in the profession would amply justify the course adopted. The co-operation of every member of the profession was urged for the successful operation of the Act Reference was also made to disputed questions between practitioners concerning the conveyancing scale of charges, which were dealt with by the council. As a result of proceedings instituted by the society, three solicitors had been struck off the roll by the Court of Appeal. The council had been notified hv the executors of the estate of Mrs. E J. Campbell. widow' of the late Mr. Hugh Campbell, that provision wa° macV In will for the payment of ■CI.OOO to provide an annual scholarship for law students fn the Auckland district, to be called “Tho Hugh Campbell Scholarship. ” provisional scheme had been drawn up and it was hoped that the first award would be made at the end of the year. The following officers were electedPresident, Mr. R. P. Towle; vicepresident, Mr. J. Id. Rev-burn: trea surer, Mr. A. M. Goulding: council Messrs. Gr. P. Finlay. A. IT. Johnstone P. G. Massey. L. K. Munro. 11. M Rogerson and F. L. C. West: council of law reporting. Messrs. R. MoVeagh and IT. P. TUehmond; representatives on the council of the New Zealand Law Society, Messrs. Tow-1 e. West and Johnston*'