97 / 216
April, 1942]
The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland
The severe dislocation of business on the
outbreak of
the Great War led to much
anxiety on the part of the Council.
It was
hoped that on the termination of the war
the common round of legal activities would
be resumed, but a few short years afterwards,
the Four Courts were destroyed, including
the Solicitors' Buildings, with the consequent
temporary removal of the Society to offices
in Kildare Street. With the establishment
of the Irish Free State, legislation in the
Oireachtas has
engaged
the
continuous
attention of
the Council.
In 1929
the
Legal Practitioners (Qualification) Act was
passed with some considerable modifications
obtained as a result of the Council's efforts.
Then, followed
the reconstruction of the
Four Courts, including the re-building of the
Solicitors' Buildings, in all of which matters
the Secretary took a most active part. Finally
in the year 1938, the Council took up the
matter of a new Bill for the regulations
of the profession, and this Bill, now nearly
in its final form, is still receiving the atten
tion of the Council.
The part played by
Mr. Wakely in the history of the profession
during the past fifty years was always unob
trusive, but his influence was deep, wide
spread and lasting. During his term of office
the Findlater and Overend Scholarships were
founded and the Government began contri
buting a yearly sum to the Society in aid of
the expenditure incurred by the Statutory
Committee.
The destruction of the Solicitors' Buildings
in 1922 had occasioned the loss of the portraits
of over fifty Past Presidents which formerly
adorned the hall. Mr. Wakely succeeded in
procuring replicas of every one of them, a
remarkable feat when it is considered that the
first President held office in the year 1842.
Last year was the 100th Anniversary of the
foundation of
the Society.
The Council
decided that owing to the circumstances at
present existing, it would not have any formal
celebration. Mr. Wakely was determined to
mark the occasion and, along with the Presi
dent, Ex-President,
and Vice-Presidents,
arranged a gathering in the Council Chamber.
The Chief Justice attended and congratulated
the Society on the commemoration of its
centenary.
It is impossible for one intimately associ
ated with Mr. Wakely to speak of him except
in terms which might appear exaggerated
praise to an outsider, but it is the simple
truth to say that he was loved, not only by
every member of the Council, but by all the
members of the profession.
Indeed, this
esteem and affection which he inspired so
universally was remarkable and can only be
explained on the ground that each one saw
in Mr. Wakely a living example of those
virtues which we all prize most highly. The
affection extended to Mr. Wakely by the
profession and the deep appreciation of his
work and devotion to duty was shown by
the handsome presentations made to him
on the completion of his fortieth year of
office, and again, on the occasion of his
fiftieth year as Secretary.
The President and the Press have paid
their tributes to his character, and they are
reproduced elsewhere
in
this
issue. We
would like to supplement them.
As the"
resolution passed by the Council truly states
he was in all respects a truly great-hearted
Christian gentleman and possessed himself
all the Christian virtues-
He was most
courteous and kind in his dealings with all,
and regarded everyone with whom he came
in contact primarily as a human being, no
matter what his station in life.
Needless to say, he was the perfect Secre
tary.
It is unrecorded that at any time
there was any difference of opinion between
himself and the Council, nor is it known
that his judgment was ever called in question.
His only fault, if fault it can be called, was a
certain diffidence which restrained him from
putting forward his views unless when called
on. His views were always sound and were
almost always adopted in toto. His methods
were always persuasive.
He voiced his
opinions quietly and unaggressively, but it
was
extraordinary
how
often
a mere
suggestion from him would reconcile opposing
views and procure a unanimous opinion from
the Council on controversial issues.
The Council of Northern Ireland had the
benefit of his advice and guidance when their
Society 'was first set up in Northern Ireland
and they are glad to acknowledge how useful
his advice was and how glad they were to
have it.