PRESENTATION TO MR. A. H. HOLMES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 188, 11 August 1903, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR. A. H. HOLMES.

The high esteem in which Mr Holmes, the late Clerk of the Magistrate's Oourt, is hell by the legal profession was strikii gly evident on Monday afternoon when there was a large gathering of members of'hat body at the Oourthouso for the purpose of farewelling Mr Holmes on the eve cf his departure to take up the duties of Clerk of the Oourt at Wellington, and to present him with a handsome mamento of their appreciation of his work at New Plymouth. Mr R.L.Stanford, S.M , was also present. Mr Staiu-1, addressing Mr Holm s, said that on behalf of the Bar he nust heartily congratulated him on the promotion he had received, though, at the same time, they greatly regretted the loss sustained thiough his departure. During the 16 years Mr Holmes bad been in New Plymouth he had filled ttnny offices besides that as O'erk of the Court, including that of paymasU-i----of old ago pe: sions. la eva'y office he lud fi'lei he had assisted the public in a matin r equal to that ever rendered by any oUicer of the Depi t.nvint in i h • colony. The members of the B »r had es-pacially to thank him for courtesy ■■avi fissi--tanct>, the more so by loison of bis having by reading, stilly, and the exercise of his aMlitiej acquired that hrge and re!iahh expo-i----t-iice which so eminently fi--,;ed him for the office he h Id. Is was only na unl that merit of this kind should receive re^ogniti m and that promotion should follow, At the eamo tims thuy felt veiy givatly the loss they wore sustaining, th >ugh th-y were glad that, thtir loss would be his gain. On behalf of the bar he'bad the pkasure to offer a service of plate ns a souvenir of their esteem and appreciation, and a'sa to ivi-ih him fcvery prospoii y, (Lml app'ause.) Mr. Kerr said he considered Mr. Bfo'mes was one of the most effljieot officers of the Department, and he paid a warm tribute of praise to the way in which Mr. Holmes had assisted the Bar and the public. Mr, Govett said that the profession were grateful to Mr, Holmes for the ■ immecse amount of trouble he had

save! them, and tnev the more hig 1/ appreciated his services bee.use thiy h«i been renderei moan They would all feel his transfer as a very great loss,, Mr Rjysnd he had always fiund Mr. Holmes k^en, thorough and willing while his method of indexing cases was

ox'ivmely useful. He hoped the move would ere long lead to a seat on the B uch.

tf r. Stanford said he would like to add his tribute of praise. He had ps-ed seven happy years in that Oourt wkh Mr. Ho!m*p, and could not speik

too wall of his ability, courtesy, and knowledge. As to knowledge he rag irded him as one of the few who could s;na<lily walk through the devious ••acks of t*e Lice'isiug Act. Personally, he would esteem Mr. Holmfls' <)e-P'.'-'ur.i r.a a great Ins-, th u;;h hh'.u?;;i!y congrituhtod him oa his well

m i'l'ed prountioo. | Mi 1 . 'Vistjo, i-enior, a\i>\ hi con-j -id ral tin l ; by the txi'e <lin&ly abl=< nil our oous way Mr. Hjiuies had fill'.J the offices he held had given the ia to the uharg s and refLctioas often made on Oiv 1 servants. He had v.iry great pleisuie in congratulatiog Mr. Holmes and in wishing him hetlth andj prosperity and hoped he would pro sently fill the offio of Magisfcia'e. Mr H;lm8», in reply, taid he fel•he iask of acknowledging t'fto flittering and complitneut'try references to the mnntier in which he had discharged his duties to ba difficu'.t. Hi

attributed any success he had achieved in th tt direction to the unvarying as sistanoa he had always received from the legal profession her*, whose acquaintance would long be remembered

by him, the pleasant associations treasured, and the friendships be enduring. Ha could not find words to express his gratification at th<» handsome presentation made to him that dav, but he wis iiire Mrs Holmes and his sin would <:V rba proud of it. As to His Worship's rematk", he felt most grateful for the k ndness and help he had always received from him. If he received but ona half the resistance and kindness at Wellington thai had fallen to his lot at New Plymouth he would ba only too glad, (Loud applause.) The members of tue Bir then shook, hands with Mr Holmes and bide him farewell,

The presentation ooasisted of a diver-plated tea kettle with lamp, cake dish, cake basket, and entree dishes, which were insoribed as follows: -" Presented to A, H. Holme, Esq , by tha members of the legal profession at New Plymouth, 10 8-03." Each of the articles above named was of handsome design and finish, the .square cake basket being pirtku'arly ornate. Tbey were obtained from Sir Cooke. Mr Holmes leaves for Wellington this morning, His successor will be Mr A. W. D. Banks, of Hokitika, and Mr E. W. T. Thomson will be actingclerk until Mr Binks arrives.