43 / 216
, 1921]
Thte Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.
•35
The conference which has since opened,
probably the most unique and the most
criticised of its kind in our history, we in
common with the rest of the community are
watching with much 'concern and anxiety,
and I am sure I voice 'the sentiments of the
profession I "represent in expressing the most
earnest hope that every national blessing
and welfare may result therefrom.
While 1 refrain from colouring my discourse
with any direct political references, I do most
earnestly plead that not only in the present
juncture when everything should remain in
stain quo,
but that more particularly when
under our re-organised national affairs we
make a fresh start entrusted with control of
our own affairs, the importance to the public
of preserving
the
integrity, status, and
qualifications of the legal professions who
have been for centuries labouring amongst
us may be fully realised, and that a pro
fession by virtue of whose work, regardless
of creed, politics and class, the property and
rights of families and individuals throughout
the country have been protected, settled and
adjusted, may be fully recognised and main
tained,
as
an
essential
to
the
fabric
and stability of any civilised community.
In fairness to those gentlemen who have
expended time and money and passed high
educational tests to become members of the
legal profession, nothing should be done to
injure the prestige of their position or to
interfere with or discount the dignity of
their work.
Whatever be the eventual form of Govern
ment or constituted authority in this country,
or the mode of electing representatives, the
Solicitors may be depended upon to assist
and loyally support it in every way as a
section of the community who are wedded to
the country and concerned in its prosperity
and in the maintainance of its legally con
stituted institutions.
Since last Meeting I have to record with
much regret the death of many members,
amongst others Mr. Alexander Chisholm
Cameron, a Solicitor who in his time accom
plished an enormous amount of work, and
who, in connection with our legal Charity
the Solicitors' Benevolent Association, was
a most generous supporter, his generosity
has been testified to at the Meetings of that
Society.
I have also to record the death of other
members :—
Mr. John Kelso Reid, of Londonderry.
Mr. George Wheeler, of Dublin.
Mr. John Wilson, of Longford.
Mr. Daniel Moon of
the county of
Londonderry.
Mr. Robert Dickie, of Dundalk.
Mr. Patrick Kent, of Waterford.
Mr. Florence McCarthy, of Cork.
Mr. David Higgins, of Clonmel.
Mr. George Hoey, of Tullamore.
Mr. Mathew Tobias, for a long time
Prosecuting Solicitor to the Dublin
Metropolitan Police, and a fimiliar
figure in the Dublin Police Courts up
to a few years ago.
Mr. William Venables, of Cookstown, and
Mr. Francis Kennedy of Wicklow, who
was a popular figure in sporting and
athletic circles.
In regard to appointments, Mr. Barry
Browne, a son of our old colleague Mr.
Stephen Browne of Naas, has been appointed
to be Clerk of the Crown and Peace for the
County of Kildare in the place of Mr. White-
side Dane, D.L. (retired), and Mr. C. Blair
White, son of my immediate predecessor in
office, has been appointed Crown Solicitor
for County Kildare.
There have been high judicial changes, and
in official circles at the Courts.
We send our greetings to Lord Glenavy,
and are assured that he will always maintain
the same feelings of goodwill towards us as a
profession which marked his period of judicial
office, and more especially while he was Lord
Chancellor. We would, however, like to see
such abilities as his recognised by the State
as a live national asset and properly utilized.
An
Irishman of his gifts and
tolerant
sympathies must not be allowed to drift into
a life of leisure but continue to identify
himself with the interests of the community
with which he has been so long identified,
and we hope he will not hesitate to embrace
the opportunities that may be offered of
enabling him to take an important part in
public and business activities of our City
and County.
I have already on a public occasion on
behalf of the Solicitors greeted his successor,
Sir John Ross, as Lord Chancellor.
For
many years the Solicitors' profession have