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DECEMBER, 1925]
The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.
25
our profession. First, I would desire to refer
to Mr. W. J. Shannon, a past President of
this Society and one who for many years
took an active and useful part in the work
of our Society. Mr. John H. Walsh had been
for some years a member of the Council and
a Vice-President. Mr. Thomas Healy had
retired from active practice for a few years
past.
There are also Mr. Atkinson, Mr.
Rogers, Mr. O'Hea, Mr. George Knight, Mr.
Everard Hamilton, Mr. Daniel Purcell, Mr.
MacNab, Mr. Richard Martin, Mr. Lockhart,
Mr. W. B. Hardman, Mr. R. J. Jones, Mr.
McCarthy, Mr. McCay and Mr. Long.
The Annual Report of this Council for the
year which ends to-day has been in your
hands for some time, and I feel sure has been
read by you with the attention it deserves.
I think its perusal will show you that the
Council has not been negligent in the interests
of Solicitors throughout the Irish Free State,
and it is the custom that in addition to
moving the adoption of this Report, the
President should say a few words to you as
to some special points which would appear
to require further explanation or amplifica–
tion.
In the first place, I would wish to con–
gratulate the members of the Society on
being at last in occupation of temporary
quarters which are consistent with
the
prestige and dignity of the Society, and I
would wish to remind you that throughout
the negotiations which have taken place
between ourselves, the Benchers, and the
Government, we have made it quite clear
that
these premises
are only
for our
temporary occupation, and that our per–
manent premises will be in that place where
the Courts of Justice are to be carried on.
It is now almost certain that the Four Courts
will be rebuilt, and that we will be back
again in our old home.
In respect of our
claim for compensation for the destruction of
furniture and effects at the Four Courts,
we have received a substantial sum which is
enabling us to furnish our premises in Kildare
Street in an adequate way, and care has been
taken that the furniture purchased shall be
such as shall be of use when we return to our
re-built habitation.
You will see that the membership of the
Society has slightly decreased during the
year, following a large increase last year, and
you will see that for the first time the
majority of the Council last year and next
year are Provincial Solicitors ; and I should
wish now to impress upon you the good
service and loyal support given by the
Provincial Members of the Council through–
out the year to me as President and in the
best
interests
of
the Society
and
the
profession.
The Rules under the Courts of Justice Act
of last year have now been submitted to the
Minister. There are many and great changes
in procedure rendered necessary by that Act,
and in this regard I would particularly wish
to inform you of the good work done by
Dr. Quirke and Mr. Seales
in drafting
Schedules of Costs ; Mr. Gordon Bradley and
Mr. Horgan, in connection with the Circuit
Court;
and Mr. E. H. Burne and Mr.
Gaffney with reference to the District Court
Rules.
Amongst other matters which engaged the
attention of
the Council at considerable
length during the year was the Colonial
Solicitors Act and its adoption by this
country. The non-adoption of this Act puts
a Free State Solicitor who wishes to become
a Solicitor in England at a considerable
disadvantage.
I am glad to say that His
Majesty's Government have informed the
Free State Government
that
the}' were
ready to take into consideration, in consulta–
tion with the appropriate authorities, the
question of the issue of an Order in Council
applying to the Irish Free State the Colonial
Solicitors Act, with such modifications as
might appear to be necessary, as soon as the
additional necessary
legislation has been
passed by the Free State Parliament.
In
the month of August last a reply to a com–
munication from the Council was received
from
the Attorney-General,
stating
the
Executive Council had again considered the
matter, and that they were not at present
prepared to promote the legislation requested
by the Council, and, therefore, the matter
still remains in an unsatisfactory position.
In connection with the Local Government
Act of 1925. The Bill as introduced repealed
Section 8 of the Local Government Act of
1919, but did not include in the list of
Pensionable Officers the Local Authority