The Gazette 1936-40

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

QUKE, 1936

adventure of putting on the market two at

least most necessary legal text-books. With–

out presuming to criticise the Government,

I think I am justified in saying that public

funds have been devoted to matters of less

importance.

Many matters affecting the profession as a

whole have come under the consideration of

the Council in the past half-year, and have

been carefully considered and appropriate

action taken, and I may here say that the

Council is always most ready to consider all

questions of importance to the profession and

the public to which attention is drawn by

our members. While on matters to which

the attention of the Council is drawn by

correspondents are in

the great majority

questions involving points of general interest,

we do occasionally find that we are expected

to interfere in matters entirely outside the

purview of the Council. Practitioners may

rest assured that the Council will always

gladly consider and give careful attention to

all matters of general interest to the pro–

fession and the public. May I just add that

the work of' our Society is by no means

confined to the interests of our profession

alone, as past experience goes to prove that

while safeguarding our own interests for

which, no doubt, we primarily exist we can,

and do, at the same time in many ways

watch over the public interest.

As a result of the Final Examination held

last month 45 candidates have qualified as

Solicitors, and if you add to this 34 at the

October Final, you have 79 new Solicitors

qualified within a

few months.

While

heartily congratulate

these

successful

candidates and wish them every success in

life, it seems to me desirable that I should

sound a word of warning to parents and

guardians who have the responsibility of

selecting careers for our young people.

must be remembered that these Solicitors

nowadays are qualified onlv to practice in

the Free State, and

think every-day

experience shows that there is a danger that

if we proceed at the present rate the pro–

fession will ere long be overcrowded, and

that after a long period of study and con–

siderable outlay the opportunities of earning

a livelihood may be sadly lacking.

The

popular idea that our profession is an easy

road to a comfortable living, and in many

cases affluence, has long since been exploded,

and I would in all good faith say to those

who contemplate entering

the Solicitors'

profession :

" Look before you leap."

realise that in saying this I leave myself

open to the charge that existing members

view with concern the growth of the pro–

fession from a selfish point of view. Nothing

could be further from my mind, and I sound

the warning that young people may, before

embarking on a long and expensive course of

training, carefully consider what prospects

are available for them to earn a living.

I desire to voice the feelings of our pro–

fession on the approaching retirement of

three prominent and well-known officials

connected with

the High Court Master

Denning, Mr. Healy and Mr. Hollinshead.

The first-named, a member of our own

profession, filled with great distinction and

satisfaction the position of Senior Taxing

Master for many years. The discharge of his

duties brought him into daily contact with

Solicitors, and nothing could exceed

the

efficiency and courtesy with which his duties

were discharged. Mr. Healy for years filled

with the greatest ability and satisfaction the

position of Examiner, and to him also our

profession is under a debt of gratitude for

unfailing courtesy and assistance, while

Mr. Hollinshead occupied the highly respons–

ible position of Official Assignee with great

distinction. These gentlemen leave behind

them a high record, and we sincerely wish

them many happy years to enjoy the rest

and leisure they have so well earned.

I would like, in conclusion, to pay a well-

merited tribute to the care and attention

with which my colleagues on the Council

watch over your interests ;

to the courtesy

I have received from those officials with

whom my duties have brought me

contact, while nothing can

exceed

the

helpfulness and guidance which

I have

received from our esteemed Secretary, whose

long experience and knowledge coupled with

his well-known courtesy and patience is now,

as always, an unfailing support to the person

who occupies the office of President.

The meeting then terminated.