Valedictory.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 43, 20 February 1904, Page 2

Valedictory.

PAUr.WKLI, TO Mil DISTIUCT JUIX'.K KETTLIC. On i'riduy morning, at the Courthouse, there was n large attendance of the barristers and solicitors practising in New I'lynioiitli, when .Mr Oliver Suniui'l, President of the Taranaki I/aw Society, took the opportunity uf saying farewell to His Honor Mr District Judge Kettle, who has been transferred to Auckland. There were present Messrs O. Sumuel, J. 11. Hoy, ./. 11. Uuillium, W. (!. Ma'.one (lluloive, McYVagh und Anderson), .1). Uniteh™, (i. S. Weston, C. 11. Weston, W. L. Fitzlierbext, !•'. K. Wilson, . Carrie, and !•'. \V. HiclllllUlHl. Mr Samuel, addressing His Honor, on behalf of the bar of New l'lymoiith district, expressed the widespread regret which was felt at the approaching' departure from the district of Mr Kettle, who was that day presiding for the last time on the New I'lynioulh Dencli. It was fourteen }V.irs since Air Kettle hud been appointed District Court Judge for Miis part of the colony, and during thai long period he had succeeded in winning the fullest conhdeiivc of the profession in purticular ami the public also: Occasionally in smaller centres there was apt to l,« Iviction 'between the Bench and the I!ar, und sometime* with Iho public. It must have struck His Honor Unit in this district, where the progress liad been .so rapid and so marked, the business of the Court had been characterised by a life and energy that would have Ijccii exceedingly trying to some men, hut it .was a source of sincere gratilicatioi; to thrin tlmt (Ikmv had never been any cause foe unpleasantness between Mr Kettle -and the ] ocu i liar. The iiieniiiers of the profession ueie pleased that liv was not to be removed to any great distance from here—a shoit sea jou,i-nvy alone separating New riyniouth from Auckland. In conclusion, Mr Samuel wished Mis Honor u continuance of the success which had marked his caieer in Tunumki, and ug'ain expressing regret that the dist 1 . ict was to lose bis services, wished him happiness, health and prosperity, mid thai he might for many years preside in the Courts of the colony. His Honor, in replying, said that the members of the liar would agree that, if was extremely dillicultfor him to nay all that he could wish on this occasion, but thanked them from the bottom of his heart for their kind expressions towards him. It was a source of sincdre gratification to him that during the tourtMcu years in which he had presided in this Court he html satislied the profession and succeeded in g'uiniinjg their confidence. To him and his family this was a compliment the value of which it was diMicult to assess. Jie mis pleased tliat the relations heie between Hie lieiuh and the Har had been cordial, for if Justin* was to lie done these relations must continue. At the same time bv recognisul that he bad his faults ; he ~u lv have appeared irritable at times ami anxious to press through (he business of the Conrl. but he assured them that whatever be had done was (,■„„, pure desire | (J act in tin-best inlcre.,ts of justice, lie hud always endeavour,,! t,> ,i„ ri( ,, ivl , i,.;,,,,_ live ol technicalities, „.,,.! without regard to the status of ~arties who app,aivd heiV.iv hi,,,. ln „ ~.„._ lure fioni this district was a severe wrench, but in going he | u>) „.<i | H . would carry with him the goodwill not only of th k . 1,.,, a | j,, New I'lymouth, l,„t throughout the whole o> the distiiet. in which he held jur,«,ct,„n. ,*. tlra;l||u< , , ]u , legal geutlemeii in N 0 „- I'lvn.oulli lor their kindly expressions on this occasion, and for kindnesses which lie lvlt hv could ,„,.„.,. 1V ly i'h ™nnvclio„ Hl , s ilhili : k ; t ]]M wi-1m,,/,„",",""""" '"'l'l'iaess. |„ Hies* ol the district, iU ld ho,«l the 'l,l. suae his arrival hj, KX! )() llli „. !lt ''nH'''"'ow "",„!'h" 1 '" WV " th"'7i,i----1 ; '»• were thai, the place would 1 ' ™ W],aM Mr Samuel tlmnkod His Honor for Ins kind and feeling reply.