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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
A special meeting of the Council was held on Monday, 28th August, as a tribute of respect
to the late Mr. William S. Hayes.
T
h e
President addressing the meeting said :—
“ I am sure that all the Members o f this Council
and of our Society and indeed o f the legal profession
in Ireland in both its branches, and on both sides
of the Border, will approve of my action in convening
this special meeting of the Council. Its purpose
is to record in a very particular way our deep sorrow
and
grievous
sense of loss on
the occasion o f
the death o f our
much
loved
friend, William
Samuel
Hayes,
which occurred
on 20th August,
at the great age
of 88 years. It
is difficult indeed
for any o f us to
realise that we
shall no longer
hear his voice in
this room.
Mr. Hayes was
the
personal
friend of every
member o f this
Council, and not
only of us who
are
assembled
here, but o f our
predecessors for
very many years
past. He was
indeed the Father
of our Council,
and
of
our
Solicitors’
pro
fession. Born in
1862, he
was
admitted as a
solicitor in 1884,
having gained as
a student our
highest distinction, the Findlater Scholarship. From
1884 till his death he practised without interruption
as a member o f his father’s firm, to which he has
added such great distinction.
In 1892 he was first elected as a member of this
Council. Year after year from then till now, he
was re-elected by his fellow practitioner? without
?9
a break. In 1906-7 he served as President. It is
indeed worthy o f remark that, although our Society
was founded over a century ago, the list
of its Presidents inscribed in the panel on the wall
of our Council Chamber contains more names after
his than before it.
In 1944, his fellow solicitors throughout Ireland
presented to him
by subscription,
as a token of
their esteem and
affection,
the
striking portrait
by
Mr.
Leo
Whelan
which
now hangs upon
the wall of the
members’
hall.
There I trust it
will continue to
hang
as
an
inspiration
to
many
future
generations
in
our profession.
This presentation
marked
the
Golden Jubilee
of his service as a
member of our
Council.
ft is not neces
sary for me to
remind you of
the distinguished
part played by
Mr. Hayes in
our
profession
through his long
and very active
life. His worth
was recognised
alike
by
his
countless clients,
and by all his fellow practitioners. Every honour was
gained by him which our profession could bestow.
It is also unnecessary for me to remind you of
his unceasing generosity and liberality. His many
great benefactions to the Solicitors’ Benevolent
Association were recognised by his nomination
as its Patron of the Association,
W ILL IAM S. H AYE S
Admitted Trinity 1884. President 1906-7. Member of the Council 1892-1950.