THE LATE MR. GOVETT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 23, 17 June 1914, Page 7

THE LATE MR. GOVETT.

TRIBUTE FROM TIIK PROFESSION.' An eloquent tribute to, the' memory of the late Mr. C. W. Govett was made by the members of the legal profession in New Plymouth yesterday.

Prior to the commencement of the business at Uie Magistrate's Court yesterday, when most of the mcin'bera of the profession were present, j\ir F. K Wilson, addressing liis Worship, remarked: —

"The members of the legal profession J practising in New PKimnitli desire l-o j take this opportunity of expressing their sincere regret at the loss sustained -by j the profession in the death of Mr U. W. Govett. A nalive of this town. hr. bore tde honored mime of a fa-niih intimately associated with town and district since the carlv dins of its settlement. Although admitted to (.he bar in England, the practice of his profession was entirely within the Dominion, and for vearly forty years past in New Plymouth, where from small beginnings ho built up sucii u connection that for a considerable time* before liis death he -lad the pride and satisfaction of being the senior partner in a firm which was at least the equal of any within the judicial district. Our friend has gone—he had submitted to a decree from which there is no appeal—but we have remaining with us the memory of a true gentleman, of a lawyer who always conformed to and maintained t'hie highest traditions, of the profession, and of a good man who in the various spheres of local activity with which he identified himself, wiili indeed !>e sorely missed." Mr Ci'ooke, S.M., said:—"l desire to add to What has already been so ablv expressed, my deep regret at the loss of the late Mr Govett. He rai seldom in Court during the time I have been on the bench—for -=ome time 'he was away from New Zealand, and latterly (his growing infirmities have prevented his conducting cases in Court—but I was always especially pleased to see him wlion fho did appear. He knew what he wanted, he. kept to the point, fl-nd 'he knew how to enliven the usual dullness of a case with a jest or an apt quotation. He was a singularly happy man, and carried into his recreation the zest ihe displayed in business. He irill 'be sorely missed in the town, and the mom.Vrs of his profession will mourn his loss."