SIR ROBERT STOUT

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1921, Page 7

SIR ROBERT STOUT

STRIKING TRIBUTE FROM THE BAR. «hkld in high HONOR BY ALL.” Members of the legal profession assembled in full force in the Wellington Supreme Court library on Monday, last week, to make a presentation to the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) on the eve of his departure to England on extended furlough,. The Attorney-General (Sir Francis Bell) presided over the gathering, and among those present were their Honors Mr. Justice Sim, Mr. Justice Hosking, Mr. Justice, StrHQgeir, and Mr. Justice Reed, the > Hon. Mr. Chapman (who recently retired from the judiciary),, the SolicitorGeneral (Mr, J. O. MuoGreger), Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., and Mr. A. Gray, K.C.

The presentation took the form of an illuminated address and a portrait in oils of the Chief Justice, from the brush of Mr. R. Nicoll, of Christchurch. Sir Francis Bell said he would speak of Sir Robert Stout and not of the Chief Justice, since limits were rightly placed upon comment which might be made by a member of the Bar as to a member of the Bench, They were plwid of the man and his upright life, and proud of his career. As a mere youth in 1872, when most of those present were just seating out in. their careers, he been elected by a large constituency to the provincial Council of New Zealand. Three years later he was elected to the House of Representatives, and in 1878 he became Attorney-General.' Later he filled the position of Prime Minister of the Dominion, and in 1899, at the invitation of his political opponent?, he become Chief Justice of New ZealandSir Robert Stout was also elected by the first constituency in the land to the Chancellorship of the University of New Zealand It was a ur : que career of advancement to every highest office in the keeping of the people of New Zealand and the Government. Refer, rihg to Sir Sir Robert Stout’s untiring industry, the Attorney-General said that in some respects the members of the Bar had treated it as a matter qf admiration rather than emulation. Great was their admiration for his diUgenee and industry, and their appreciation of his literary, legal, and social activities. ‘Tt is,” he continued, “unfortunate for us all that we, too, are sot au equipped to scorn delights and live laborious days... , ,By precept and example you have established the highest stamp of public honor and private integrity.” Sir Francis PeJl on to say that in all matters controversial Sir Robert Stout had shown absolute fairness, scorning all personal attacks and disdaining the use of the pejponal weapon on others. He had even shown great kindness of heart, consideration and encouragement to the younger members of the profession, by virtue of which they had derived much benefit. The members of the Bar desired to express the hope that both Sir Robert and Lady Stout would enjoy & bappy holiday, and tjjey klshed them a safe return. Knowing His Honor’s intolerance of leisure, the profession all hoped that he would make his year of relief from judical work a holiday, and that on his return he would again assume the high office of Chief Justice, with hopor to himself and advantage to the PQUntspy, enjoying as he ever had, the confidence and approval of the public, particularly that section un whose behalf he was speaking that day. K.ir Robert Stout, who was visibly affected, was greeted with prolonged applause on rising to speak. He waa, he said, so overcome v, 'llh emotion that he cejuld idea’s, and therefore they hilst excuse him, Hla added hut few words. From his earliest years, he remarked, he had derived tW enjoyment from the study Pt >W. “There are many things/* intinned, “that I cannot do 3o not intend to do. I know my weaknesses, but I have always striven to do what I could to do was fair and right. J have all are like, ly io fail sometimes ” His Honor then brofo dw» and resinned his

ing dispersed: fC We all thank you, S'ir, for what you have said, and we de-, sire to sfty and God-speed,’? Bip Robert Stout then shook hands with the memheva of the profession as they filed out of the library.—Dornin-