CHANGE OF MAGISTRATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1921, Page 6

CHANGE OF MAGISTRATES.

THE TARANAKI DISTRICT.

FAREWELL TO MR. BAILEY.

A representative gathering of members of the bar assembled in the Law Library, New Plymouth, on Saturday morning, to farewell Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M<., who takes charge oi the Wanganui district this week.. The President of the Law Society (Mr. J. C. Nicholson) expressed to Mr. Bailey the regret felt by members of the bar at his departure after a short st/iy, but they congratulated him on his transfer to Wanganui. They were grateful for the courtesy and consideration extended to them and of the readiness with which he Lad met them in the dispatch of business. In this respect, Mr. Nicholson said, the magistrate was at some disadvantage on account of the wide circuit he had to cover and the frequent absence from New Plymouth on court business at other centres; yet in spite of this Mr'.. Bailey had been able to attend to the business with dispatch, and with a minimum of inconvenience. He referred to the happy and harmonious relations that had existed between the bench and the bar, and though there, might have been occasions when Mr. Bailey had found it necessary to curb an over-ardent counsel, it had never interfered with the good feeling between them. He concluded by expressing the hope that similar relations would be created between the magistrate and the solicitors at Wanganui, and that Mr. Bailey’s term there would be a happy one. Replying, Mr. Bailey said it was unfortunate that he should have to leave New Plymouth after a term of just a year and eight months. His term had been a very happy one, and his official work had run very smoothly. Sometimes there were clashes between bench and bar, but these only went to show that men were human. In Taranaki, however, he did not remember having a difference with any member of Ihe bar. He considered it the duty of a magistrate to be considerate and to try and make things run as smoothly as possible, and he always aimed to meet members of the bar in every <way that was reasonable. He always tried to help the younger members of the bar, realising that a very small matter might affect their whole career. Though the xvide district was a disadvantage in some respects, it enabled him to meet members of the bar away from actual legal practice, and so become more intimate with them.

Appreciation of the office staff was expressed by Mr. Bailey, who stated that Mr. Jordan haal a thorough knowledge of all branches of the work, and also had capable assistants. Mr. Bailey remarked on the assistance given h>m by the police and the manner in which their cases had been conducted, and a similar tribute was paid to the work of the borough inspector (Mr. R. Day). He expressed thanks to the Press for the fairness and accuracy with which decisions had been reported, and also for the absence of criticisms of those decisions. Mr Bailey said this was not always the case in the larger centres, where the decisions of magistrates were frequently criticised by one side or the other. In Taranaki, however, the Press had been uniformly considerate and helpful. Mr. Bailey expressed his regret at having to sever the friendships made in New Plymouth, but hoped he would at least be able to come back here in holiday visits, as he liked the place and the people exceedingly. (Applause). Inspector Hutton thanked Mr. Bailey for his remarks about the police and extended the best wishes of himself and his officers to Mr. Bailey for his happiness in his new position. Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., who has arrived in New Plymouth to take up duties in succession to Mr. Bailey, was Tarewelled by the members of the Bar and the police at the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth on Monday. In the absence of the president of the Law Society,- Mr. W. Kitchingham, Mr. W. Joyce took the opportunity of extending to the departing magistrate the very best wishes of the Bar. During the whole of his stay on the Coast he*had shown a judicial mind and a desire to do justice. He wished his Worship and his wife long life and happiness. Replying, his Worship thanked the Bar for their kind words. His stay on the Coast had been one long holiday. The friendly feeling which had existed between Bar and Bench had given him great satisfaction He noticed when it came to a question of law that the Bar had a good grounding not always met with in the cities, where the younger men often relied on the older and did not dig matters up for themselves. He would always retain the happiest memories of the West Coast. In the absence of Inspector Mathieson, SeniorSergeant McCarthy spoke on behalf of the police. The Department viewed with regret his Worship’s departure, and appreciated the courtesy which had been shown at all times. They extended to him the very best wishes. Mr. Walker suitably replied.