fcd,"1907]
The Gazette of the Iric6rpoi?ated Law Society of Irelatid.
wo'uld be a most unfortunate thing if it got
out that they were opposed to reform.
So far
As
he was concerned he approved of reforms,
but he did not want to be reformed out of
existerice (laughter).
MR. GEOGHEGAN said that whereas the
vast majority of the members of the Society
belonged to the junior grade, they returned a
majority on the Council belonging to the senior
grade. Certainly that was rather a compliment
to youth, and it showed that they deliberately
chose not those of their own standing, but those
who by time and experience had learned what
was for the best interests of the profession
(hear hear).
There was a feeling that the
, junior members were not sufficiently repre
sented ; but he certainly would not like to see
them represented to the enorrnous extent that
would take place if Mr. Rooney's proposition
were carried.
If the outgoing President was
made an
ex-officio
member, say for a term of five
years, they would have his assistance assured to
them for five years at all events. By that means
a certain amount of new blood would automa
tically get into the Council. He thought if any
amendment was contemplated it should be of
that character rather than
the nature pro
posed.
THE PRESIDENT said he thought they
had had a very free discussion, and he was sure
the Council would carefully consider all that
had been said.
If members had any further
suggestions to make, they should send them in
to the Secretary.
•
MR. HENRY having been moved to the
second chair,
SIR GEORGE ROCHE proposed a warm
vote of thanks to the President, not only for
presiding at the meeting, but also for his
services during his past year of office. Mr.
Hayes had devoted almost the entire of his
time, energy, tact, and ability to the discharge
of the duties of President.
MR. M.
J. O'CONNOR
seconded
the
motion, and said there was no truth in the
suggestion that any member from the country
would not receive the best satisfaction in any
matter submitted to the Council. The best
test of the President's work during the year
was afforded in the fact that he had been
returned at the head of the poll.
MR. P. J. BRADY said he desired to
associate himself most cordially with what had
been said.
The vote of thanks was passed with acclama
tion.
THE PRESIDENT said he thanked them
most sincerely. He had done his best, and he
hoped he had pleased them. He Was loyally
supported by an excellent Council and two most
energetic Vice-Presidents, whom he consulted
on all possible occasions.
The proceedings terminated.
Meetings of the Council.
THE Council met on Wednesday, the i3th
November, the President (Mr. W. S. Hayes)
in the chair, and twenty-six other members
present.
A further letter was read from a country
solicitor in reference to the preparation of
forms by clerks of petty sessions on behalf
of publicans requiring renewals of licences,
and the charge by clerks of petty sessions of a
^s. 6d.
fee for the preparation of each form.
It was decided to ask for the views of the
Northern Law Society and the Southern Law
Association upon the matter, and its further
consideration by the Council was adjourned.
A letter was read
from a solicitor
to a
District Council, enclosing a copy of cor
respondence between
the District Council
and the Local Government Board, from which
it appeared that the Board had refused to sanc
tion the proposal of the District Council to
remunerate the solicitor in the matter of a
scheme under the Labourers Act, at the rate
of
£6
per site, for all the legal work in connec
tion with the scheme ; and it appeared that the
Board had informed the Clerk to the Council
that he was bound to discharge the duties
referred to
in Article 45 of the Labourers
Order,
igo6.
The solicitor stated that the
District Council would adhere to the agreement
made with him, and would fight the question
out with the Local Government Board. A reply
was directed to be sent to the solicitor, stating
that they were prepared to proceed under 27
Victoria, cap.
8,
for
recovery of penalties
against unqualified persons who, for remunera
tion, act as conveyancers, in cases where the
evidence submitted would, in the opinion of
counsel, justify proceedings being instituted.
A letter was read from a solicitor inviting an
expression of opinion from the Council upon the
action of another solicitor in communicating
direct with the client of the solicitor who
wrote to the Council, in a matter in which the
interests of the clients of the respective soli
citors were opposed. The Council decided to