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The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.
[DECEMBER, 1925
Solicitors. As a result of the representation
of
the Council,
and after
considerable
correspondence,
the Minister
for Local
Government moved an amendment which
extended the definition, Pensionable Officers,
so as to include any person duly appointed
standing Solicitor of a local body before the
Act of 1919. When the Bill was before the
Senate the amendment was carried in Com–
mittee'by a small majority to omit the
provision inserted by the Dail which pro–
tected the rights of the Solicitors to local
bodies.
The Council again communicated with the
Minister, and as a result the clause was again
inserted and subsequently accepted by the
Senate.
In reference to the publication of Statutes.
The Council has been constantly urging upon
the Minister of Justice that these Statutes
should be printed in uniform size, and as a
result in the month of September the volume
for 1923 was issued, and it contained 1402
pages.
In reference to actions compromised as a
result of discussion taking place between
Judges and Counsel
in
the absence of
Solicitors, the Council passed a resolution
which you will find in the Report, and which
we trust will have the effect of putting a stop
to this very objectionable practice.
The Council very much regret the retire–
ment of Sir John O'Connell, LL.D., who had
filled the position of Vice-President of the
Society, and whose eloquent tongue and clear
brain were always at the service of the
Society, and whom we shall not readily
forget, and who has generously intimated his
desire to present the Society with a new
Presidential Chair.
We have now in the Library 2017 volumes,
and are increasing same as occasion offers by
the purchase of the latest Law Books.
In
connection with this I would like to acknow–
ledge a gift we have just received from Mrs.
MacCarthy Mahony of a large number of
Law Books from the Library of the late
Lord Justice Ronan.
We have again to thank the President of
the Royal College of Physicians and Royal
College of Surgeons for their kindness in
allowing us to conduct our examinations in
their halls, and also for the use of their hall
for Dinners of the Council.
I would also wish to call your attention to
the Solicitors' Apprentices' Debating Society,
which
has
received
the
support
and
encouragement of the Council and of the
Society, and judging from the address of the
Auditor at the opening meeting,
is well
worthy of that support.
No Presidential Address would be complete
without a reference to our Secretary, Mr.
W. G. Wakely, and it is hard to say how much
the Council and the Solicitors' profession
throughout
Ireland owe
to his energy,
foresight and ability. There is no matter,
be it small or large, coming up for considera–
tion which is not tackled with courage and
ability by Mr. Wakely, and his knowledge of
Solicitors
throughout
Ireland
is
extra–
ordinary and unrivalled.
I would again wish to thank the Council,
and in particular the two Vice-Presidents,
for the manner in which they have acted
towards me personally during my year of
office, which I can truly say has been a most
pleasant one.
Their
loyal support and
business-like brevity have made our meetings
most harmonious and in accordance with the
best traditions handed down to us by our
predecessors. The majority of the Council
were strangers to me this time last year, and
I feel that I have made many and, I trust,
lasting friendships.
I beg to move the adoption of the Report
of the Council.
MR. W. G. BRADLEY (Vice-President)
seconded the adoption of the Report.
MR. JAMES BRADY drew attention to
the inconvenience caused to litigants by the
District Court Civil Cases from outlying
districts of the County Dublin being heard
in the City of Dublin. He said it was a
great hardship and expense on litigants to
have to travel so far to have their cases
disposed of.
The Report of the Council was adopted,
and Mr. Bradley (Vice-President) having
taken the chair,
MR. A. D. ORR moved, and MR. P. J.
BRADY seconded a hearty vote of thanks
to the President, which was passed with
acclamation. The President returned thanks.