MR JUSTICE WARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1852, 12 February 1889, Page 4

MR J USTICE WARD.

Chkistchwrch, Feb. 8. His Honor Mr Justice Ward in replying to an expression of regret made by Mr Weston and the gentleman of the bar said ;—I have to render my sincere thanks for the kind and courteous address just delivered. On ray arrival yon met me with frank cordiality, but an address of welcome was after all chiefly a matter of courtesy -an address at parting, one of appreciation. And although I cannot flatter mvself that nil the kind expressions %) which I have just listened were deservid —for no one can be more conscientious than I am of my shortcomings—-still it is pleasing to know that those whom 1 have been working with during the last sixteen months believe that 1 have done my beet. At all events the records of the Courtof Appeal will not tell against my decisions. There is one matter to which I wish briefly to advert, namely, my practice of giving judgment in every case at once, on the conclusion of the argument or evidence. This, 1 have been told, was the cause of two out of the six unsuccessful appeals that were disposed of in November last. No doubt when counsel hears an argument which it has taken them days to work out thoroughly disposed of at once in a brief judgment they are apt to suppose that sufficient consideration has not been given to that on which they have spent so long a time ; but, in reality, the fact that during the past sixteen months 1 have only found it necessary to reserve judgment once, is the highest compliment 1 could pay to the Christchurch bar. The cases have been so clearly put before me, and the arguments upon them have been so exhaustive, that there has been no difficulty in seeing what the real points were upon which they turned, or consequently, in deciding them. And as I felt certain that no further consideration would alter the decision arrived at when the argument closed, it appeared to me that suitors would prefer a speedy judgment, though counsel might wish for a delayed and elaborate one. There is ample ground for argument in favour of either course, and I do not presume to say which is right. I only know which seemed right to me. For your sympathy m my disappointment 1 also thank you. It has been unpleasant, but one learns to be somewhat philosophic on such matters when advancing in years. After all, one can stand a single sword stroke well enough, but nine months of pin-pricking suspense have been a somewhat hard measure. However, I would rather that men should ask why 1 was not appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court, than why I was appointed. I shall always remember, with gratitude for the rest of my life, the kind courtesy and good feeling shown to me by tho bar of Christchurch during my term of office as actiog Judge.