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For a selection of recommended reading see the
published syllabus for the first, second and third
law, and book-keeping examinations. The lecturer
will not necessarily undertake to cover the entire
field in each subject, or lecture out of any particular
text book. He will advise the class as to its reading
and will assume that each student will have read on
the lines advised, in advance of each lecture, on the
subject matter of the lecture. The aim of lectures
will be to guide students in their work and to
illustrate, explain and supplement their reading.
Fee :
10 guineas for each course except Course G
for which there is no fee.
Apprentices should take the first law examination
before
attending any of the above lecture courses.
The lecture courses for each term have been
arranged to coincide as closely as possible with the
University terms.
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES
OF ADMISSION
On July zoth the President, at a ceremony in the
Society's library, presented Certificates of Admission
to the undermentioned solicitors.
In his address
the President said :
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are gathered in this simple ceremony for the
purpose of handing to a number of young men,
certificates of their admission to our profession,
one of the pleasanter duties which falls to the
President's lot to perform. These certificates bear
the signature of a very distinguished lawyer—our
Chief Justice—a man who began his career as a
solicitor and who, having reached the position of
Chief Justice, has never forgotten his connection
with us nor has he ever lost interest in our wellbeing.
I hope that his example of courtesy and consideration
may be your example in the days that lie ahead.
It is not unnatural, perhaps, at a time like this,
that my mind should go back to my own earlier days
and that I should recall some of the changes which
have taken place since I was admitted a solicitor.
In those days an office boy was always a boy—
almost every task in the office from there up was
performed by male clerks. It was men who answered
the telephone and received the clients, kept the
books, wrote out the deeds by hand, did the court
work and above all else every office boasted a
Chief Clerk who in many cases was more knowledge
able than his master.
I owe much, and I am sure many ofmy colleagues
would say the same, to faithful and knowledgeable
male clerks of days gone by.
To-day the girls have taken their place and every
boy wants to be a solicitor—I am not now passing
comment but stating a fact and indeed as I have
paid tribute to the male clerks of yesterday I could
equally well pay tribute to the girls of to-day who
are taking their place. Other changes include the
mechanisation of our offices and from the type
writers and totting machines we have passed to
dictaphones and photocopying.
This is the age of the jet plane and television—it
is not unusual, having finished one's post in the
morning to transact one's business in London and
be back in Dublin for dinner.
The pace of life has increased and with it has
increased the burden on every professional man who
is doing a personal job—life is harder, competition
is greater and expenses often seem insuperable.
If the increase in the numbers of our profession
throughout the country had only been in accord
with an increase in population all would be well
but unfortunately while our numbers have risen—
population has fallen. You are entering a profession
in which few die rich as the world understands
riches, but many have won the confidence, regard
and affection of a wide circle of friends whom it has
been their privilege to work for and serve.
I have no doubt you will see changes in the next
twenty years in which I hope you will be ready and
willing to play your full part. You will see changes—
much needed indeed—in our educational system.
You may see changes in the relationship between
our profession and the Bar.
You will see, I hope, a continuing of the work of
law reform so well begun.
Finally, may I say that the success or failure in
life of these young men
is
not entirely in their own
hands. We, their colleagues, have our part to play
in helping and encouraging them as often as we
meet them. You have a right to look to us and to
our Society for guidance and I hope you will not
find us wanting.
You, their parents and friends, have your part to
play—they will need your help and encouragement
in the next few years more than ever before and
I hope you will play your part.
It is with pleasure that I, on behalf of our Council
and Society, welcome you to our ranks and wish you
God's blessing on your efforts which I hope you
will always exert according to the highest standards,
for nothing less is worthy of the profession to which
you now belong.
The following solicitors received certificates :
Michael J. Browne, B.A. (N.U.I.), Shop Street,
Westport, Co. Mayo (Special Certificate); Oliver J.
Cordon, 73 Leinster Road, Rathmines, Dublin;
James J. Dennison, Convent Street, Abbeyfeale,