LATE MR. FITZHERBERT, S.M.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 194, 14 February 1912, Page 6

LATE MR. FITZHERBERT, S.M.

TRIBUTE FROM THE BENCH AND BAR.

There was a large gathering of the legaj fraternity at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, and prior to the transaction of any business one of their number (Mr. ]). Hutchen), in the unavoidable absence of the Law Society's president (Mr. T. S. Weston) rose and expressed a desire to address a few words to the presiding Magistrate (Mr. A, Crooke) on behalf of the local practitioners. Members of the Bar desired to say, he continued, how very much they regretted the event which had occasioned his Worship coming to New Plymouth. The relations which had existed between the late Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, S.M. and the members of the New Plymouth Bar we're always of an exceedingly pleasant character, and he believed that was owing to that gentleman's long experience as a member of the Bar which enabled him to appreciate the point of view of those practising before him, and also to grapple with the difficult points of law that occasionally came under his review. After paying a tribute to the late Magistrate's innate sense of courtesy, Mr. Hutchen added that during the years he had been associated with him at New Plymouth he did not recollect any occasions on which there was any break in those cordial relations which had always existed 'between Bench and < Bar. Members of the Bar had for some time past been aware that the late Mr. Fitzherbert was suffering from an unpleasant malady, and tEey could not fail to recognise the fortitude and endurance with which lie suffered, and at the same time continued to exercise his duties. The regret to which he was giving expression to was not, continued Mr. Hutchen, formal, but was in every sense sincere and genuine.

IMr. Hutchen then proceeded to welcome the new magistrate (Mr. Alfred Crooke) and hoped that there would be a continuance of the cordial relations between the Bar and his predeaessor. "I have also to join with the Bar in expressing regret at the necessity which has brought me here," remarked his Worship, Mr. Crooke. "I understand," he continued) "that he was a sound lawyer, a careful, able Magistrate, a painstaking •«e, aid on« who would suffer any inconvenience to himself." In paying a tribute to his late colleague's personality, Mr. Crooke said he was a man who made friends and kept them. That his decisions had been acceptable to the Bar was evidenced l)y the very few appeals made. As a matter of fact, there had been no appeals at all against his decisions on the civil side. As regards himself, Mr. Crooke added that he was grateful to the Bar for their welcome, but he did not wish tliem to be under the impression that he was to remain at New Plymouth. He understood that he was only relieving at New Plymouth temporarily. He had no doubt that the same cordial feeling that had prevailed in the past would continue to exist between Bench and Bar.