THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 167, 20 April 1871, Page 5

THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — Public attention is at present drawn to the practice of law in our mirlst by some extraordinary proceedings in the Court. It may not be, therefore, out of place to offer a few suggestion which may tand to assist in keeping us from being surfeited with law as we are with lawyers. It has always been the opprobrium of the profession that it was infected by individuals who were ready on all occasions to become the instruments of the avaricious, the revengeful, and the hardhearted, in oppressing their victims, and who, being actuated neither by a love of justico nor a real regard for their clients, are always ready abettors of litigation. 1 do nit say that to any member of the profession here i 3 this in any way applicable ; but as the fact is patent to every one that we have now treble the amount of litigation that we had previous to the arrival of the profession among us, I would trespass on your space to pointout a few thoughts which we should consider m selecting out advisers. When we go to them we are either in trouble, doubt, or danger, perhaps anxious and excited, and sometimes incapable of acting for ourselves. It therefore becomes necessary that we should see that the adviser we select is a man who, instead of inflaming, will endeavour to mollify our excitements, and will advise us not as we may wish to be advised, but according to the truth and equity of the case. Let us select the man who we consider will give us faithful counsel, though it may not chime with our purposes or hopes. Should we require to take our cause into court, let U3 see that our solicitor is a gentleman who will conduct it in a fair and honourable manner, without introducing a malicious or vindictive spirit, and who will not needlessly blacken the character of the opposing party, or impugn the veracity of witnesses, whose only fault may be their modesty or timidity. If we keep this in view, it is not likely that we shall be discovering too late the secret of the pretended z^al for our wounded honour or damaged fortunes. — I am, &c, Citizen.

The first quartz reef discovered in the watershed of the Grey River, which was struck alirut a month ago, has been christened the " Grey -River ■ Times " reef. From the appearance of the stone the holders are very sanguine.