The Gazette 1936-40

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

30

[DECEMBER, 1936

The subject of provision of necessary legal text-books, to which previous reference has been made, has engaged the continued attention of the Council and a Committee specially appointed for the purpose. I again express our disappointment and regret that in a matter of so much importance there is lacking a spirit of co-operation with our profession on the part of others who are equally interested. The Council has now arranged with the Bar Council for a con– ference to discuss the situation, and I express the hope that as a result some definite step forward can be taken. A matter of considerable interest in con– nection with the Certificates of Discharge . from Death Duties issued by the Estate Duty Office, and how far same are conclusive, has been under consideration by the Council, and is still being dealt with, as has also the question of which Government is entitled to receive the duty on life policies issued by companies outside the Free State forming part of the estate of a deceased domiciled in the Free State. I would take the opportunity of appealing to the profession to give their support and encouragement to the Solicitors' Apprentices' Debating Society, which has a long record of good work. We regard it as a Valuable training ground for our apprentices, and we are at present conferring with the Auditor and Committee as to how best we can advance its interests and increase its usefulness. Through the courtesy of Mr. Justice Hanna he carried with him, on his recent visit to America, a message of greeting and goodwill from our Societ}' to our legal brethren in the United States, to which we have received a very courteous reply reciprocating our good wishes. I have only thought it necessary to refer to some of the subjects either dealt with by the Report or which came before us, but I Can assure you that during the year the Council has been called upon to deal in detail with very many matters affecting the profession and the public, and much valuable work has been done by the various committees. I desiie to pay my tribute to the unremitting care and attention given to these various matters, and to the very I

marked spirit of co-operation and goodwill which has been displayed by all our members, and to the time which they devote to the interests of our Society. Busy city practitioners and country practitioners who travel long distances alike give of their best, and I feel that the rank and file of our profession do not in many cases realise the time and attention which is so freely given to the work of the Council. As an indication of this I may point out that fifteen meetings of the Council and thirty-nine Committee meetings were held during the past year. I have no hesitation in saying that no profession or society could be better served by its governing body. My term of office as President is now drawing to a close, and I take this opportunity of offering my cordial thanks to my colleagues for their unceasing kindness and for their readiness to overlook my many shortcomings, and I specially thank our two Vice-Presidents for the assistance they have so readily given me. I would also be lacking in my duty if I failed to express my indebtedness to many of the officials connected with the Courts and departments with whom my duties brought me in contact, and to the various professions and societies whose hospitality I have enjoyed. As your representative I have been received not alone with every courtesy but with every indication that our profession is honoured and respected. In conclusion, may I say what a deep debt of gratitude I owe to our esteemed Secretary, Mr. Wakely, for his help and guidance during my year of office. I now beg to move the adoption of the Report. Mr. E. J. Mallins (Vice-President) seconded the adoption of the Report. The President put the resolution adopting the Report, and it was passed unanimously Mr. Mallins (Vice-President) having taken the chair, on the motion of Mr. Charles Laverty, seconded by Mr. H. P. Mayne, a heart}' vote of thanks was passed to the President with acclamation. The President having returned thanks, the meeting terminated.