The Gazette 1940-44

THE GAZETTE OF THE

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APRIL, 1942

Vol. XXXV, No. 10]

FOR CIRCULATION AMONGST MEMBERS

DEATH OF MR. WAKELY

profession to realise how vastly matters have changed since 1889. During the early years of his Secretaryship, the arrangements in the Courts and Court Offices were under review. These reforms included the removal of the Probate Office from Henrietta Street to the Four Courts and the codification of the rules of procedure in the Supreme Court. The Council suc– ceeded in having a clause inserted in the Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland) Act associating the Presidents for the time being of the Society with the Judges as the rule-making authority. During this first period the Council were actively engaged for some years in drafting a Bill governing the profession which ultimately became law as the Solicitors (Ireland) Act, 1898. This entailed considerable work and anxious thought on the part of the Secretary, necessitating several visits to London, interviews withjnembers of the House of Commons, and with the Law Officers of the crown. Ultimately, however, the Act was passed in the form approved by the Council. From the date of the passing of these Acts up to the outbreak of the Great War the history of the Society was not marked by any feature now of special interest.

It is with feelings of deepest sorrow and regret that we announce the death of the beloved Secretary of our Society, William George Wakely, who died at his residence, " Elmhurst," Temple Gardens, Rathmines, on the 26th March, 1942. Mr. Wakely was born on the 20th June, 1865, at Dublin. He was the third son of John Wakely, M.A., J.P., D.L., High Sheriff, 1853, of Ballyburley House, Edenderry, King's County (now Offaly) the family seat for nearly 500 years, and of Mary Catherine, daughter of Reverend Richard George, Rector of Kentstown, Co. Meath. He served his apprenticeship with Thomas Falls of Dublin, obtaining first place and silver medal at his final examination. He was admitted a Solicitor in Michaelmas Sittings, 1887. In the autumn of the following year he was appointed Secretary of the Incorporated Law Society. The history of the Society is his life story. When he was appointed Secretary, the Society was working under its Charters with very limited powers. The scope and influence of the Society were considerably extended during his term of Office, and largely as a result of his personality and efforts. It is hard for the younger members of the