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G A Z E T T E
N O V E M B E R
1976
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The President, Mr. Patrick C. Moore, took the
Chair at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday, 25th November, 1976,
in the Library of Solicitors' Buildings, Four Courts.
The President suggested that the Notice of the Meet-
ing, and the Minutes of the Ordinary General Meeting,
which had been held in Tralee in May, 1976, and which
had been circulated, be taken as read and signed. This
was agreed to unanimously-
The President moved that the Council's Balance Sheet
which had been circulated, should be adopted. The ad-
option of the Balance Sheet was proposed by Mr.
Maurice Gurran, seconded by Mr. W. A. Osborne, and
passed unanimously. Mr. W- B. Allen proposed, and
Mr- John Maher seconded the motion that Messrs
Coopers & Lybrand be appointed Auditors for the com-
ing year. This was agreed to unanimously.
REPORT OF THE SCRUTINEERS
A meeting of the scrutineers appointed at the Ordin-
ary General Meeting of the Society, held in May, 1976,
together with ex-officio scrutineers was held on 18th
November, 1976. Nominations for ordinary membership
of the Council were received from 38 candidates all of
which were declared valid and scrutineers directed that
their names be placed on the ballot paper.
The following candidates were duly nominated as
Provincial Delegates in accordance with bye-law 29
(a) of the Society, and were returned unopposed :
Ulster: Peter Murphy
Munster: Edward P. King
Leinster : Christopher Hogan
Connaught: Patrick J. McEllin
A meeting of the scrutineers was held on Thursday,
18th November, 1976. The poll was conducted from
10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. and the scrutiny was subse-
quently held. The result of the ballot was as follows :
The valid poll was 911. The following candidates
received the number of votes placed after their names,
and were elected.
John F. Buckley 668; Bruce St. J. Blake 626; Patrick
C- Moore 611; William A. Osborne 606; Mrs. Moya
Quinlan 598; Joseph L- Dundon 566; Walter Beatty
565; Michael O'Mahony 552; Anthony E. Collins 532;
John Garrigan 526; Adrian P. Bourke 522; David R.
Pigot 518; Donal G. Binchy 499; Thomas D. Shaw 492;
Peter D. M. Prentice 489; Robert McD Taylor 487;
Gerald Hickey 483; John Maher 482; William D-
McEvoy 477; Patrick Noonan 473; Maurice R. Gur-
ran 468; Patrick F. O'Donnell 462; William B. Allen
455; Sarah C. Killeen 443; Michael P. Houlihan 442;
John J. Nash 426; Francis J. Lanigan 424; Raymond
T. Monahan 419; Laurence Cullen 416; John B. Jermyn
404; Gerald M. Doyle 398.
The foregoing candidates were returned as ordinary
members by the Council for the year 1976/77- The fol-
lowing members also received the number of votes plac-
ed after their names: Eamonn P- King 389; Brendan
A. McGrath 387; James W. O'Donovan 384; Ernest J.
Margetson 361; John Rochford 341; Philip E. McCourt
321; Brian M. Gallagher 249. The President declared
the result in accordance with the ballot.
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL
The President stated that the Annual Report of the
Council and of the Committees had been printed in the
October Gazette The position arising from the Reports
was very satisfactory, as it conveyed to members the
multifarious activities of the Committees. He did not
intend to make a presidential speech as such, but merely
wished to express his appreciation to the members of
the Council, the staff, and the members generally. It
was intended this year that all the Reports of the Coun-
cil and of the Committees should be discussed en bloc.
Mr. David Pigot formally proposed that "the Report
of the Council and of all the Committees for 1975/76
be adopted", and Mr. John Jermyn seconded this re-
solution.
Mr. T. D. McLoughlin wished to have the advantages
of Blackhall Place, as regards library facilities and meet-
ings, spelled out.
Mr. Quentin Crivon inquired when telephone facil-
ities would be available in Blackhall Place, and whether
photocopying facilities would be available in the Four
Courts.
Mr. John Gleeson stated that, to the best of his
knowledge, there was disquiet at the idea of removing
the Library to the new premises in Blackhall Place, as
he thought it would make the books inaccessible. The
big tables which had formerly been in the Library had
disappeared to the inconvenience of members (These
have now been replaced), and there was no coat rack.
(This has also been replaced)-
In reply to Mr. John Donovan who asked why the
Four Courts Hotel had not been considered at the time
of the purchase of Blackhall Place the President stated
that, at that time, those premises were not for sale, but
only became available since. In any event, the President
was doubtful whether the Four Courts Hotel would be
a suitable premise» for the Society, and he understood
it had now been acquired by the Board of Works.
Mrs. Quinlan, in further replies to queries, stated
that tables and coathangers would be provided. There
would be ample facilities of all kinds in Blackhall
Place- It may be possible to arrange limited Library
facilities in the Four Courts- On the occasion of the
meeting of Presidents and Secretaries of Bar Associations
recently, a conducted tour of the King's Hospital had
been arranged for them. Mrs. Quinlan invited the mem-
bers to inspect the premises, and stated that the Clerk of
Works would show them around.
The President stated that at the moment, they were
carrying on the full functions of the Council with tre-
mendous difficulties, as their activities were constantly
expanding and escalating. It was essential for them to
have space to carry on.
The students had suffered considerable inconvenience
in the past years, as they had to be sent for lectures in
various buildings. A serious problem for the students
would have been caused if it had not been decided to
establish a Law School in Blackhall Place, and he had
to earnestly congratulate them on their forebearance.
This building in the Four Courts is not being sold,
and full photocopying facilities will remain here- The
decision that the Library should be moved to the King's
Hospital was however irrevocable, but the possibilities
of providing an auxiliary Library service here would
be explored.
Mr. John Gleeson mentioned that he knew a solicitor
who had to conduct a case alone in the Supreme Court.
In the course of argument the Judge might mention
cases, and, if the Library were not here, the solicitor
could not produce them in a hurry, Mr. T. C. G.
O'Mahony also considered that it was vital that the
Library should be available beside the Courts.
In reply to Mr. Crivon, the President stated that no
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