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The universal honour, and I may well say love
of our profession for him, was, however, not evoked
merely by this long service and high distinction.
These were without precedent. Our deep sense of
loss is occasioned far more by his outstanding
character and personality.
No one could meet
William S. Hayes without immediate recognition
o f his outstanding qualities. He was always kind
and courteous to all. In the contests within the
legal arena he was ever a redoubtable opponent,
but always fair and always just. It was a proverb
in our profession that his word was his bond.
His knowledge o f law was unequalled. He had a
rare capacity o f judgment. By instinct he appeared
always to seize on the vital elements in every problem
which came before him. We in this Council have
had ample opportunity to appreciate that great gift.
Mr. Hayes was a member of this profession and
of this Council before most o f those now present
in this Chamber were born. During that lengthy
active life he never spared himself. His labours,
however, left his energy, his faculties, his ever,
temper untouched. Indeed, he appeared to us to
grow in stature year after year. He seemed to stand
like a great rock in the seas, unmoved by tide or
storm. To the very end he retained the same energy,
the same vigour, the same joy in life. His outward
appearance did not indicate his great age.
We o f this Council spoke of him between ourselves
as “ Father William.” He was, indeed, the father
o f the Council. He was also always its leader.
A fine public speaker, he was always our spokesman.
To him fell the unquestioned right and duty year
after year, to speak first at all our functions such
as our annual dinner. To him always fell the task
of moving the vote o f thanks to the outgoing
President. Fie spoke always with wit and with
sound judgment.
We who were honoured by his friendship will
always remember him. We shall remember him,
his great gifts, his pre-eminent personality,
his unfailing generosity, his innumerable acts of
kindness.
We shall remember also his friendly
smile and the kindly twinkle of his eye. In short,
we shall always remember with gratitude and love
our old friend William S. Hayes.
What I have just said, a formal tribute, is on
behalf from the Council, to our dear friend. I
should like, in addition, to pay my own humble
tribute, although I find it very hard to give adequate
expression to my personal feelings in speaking of
such an outstanding personality and friend, who
was beloved by us all.
When I first heard about my probable election
as President I called on him for his advice and he
met me with his usual genial smile and encouraged
me to allow my name to go forward. He also,
by way o f encouragement, decided to allow his
name to go forward for re-election to the Council
(from which he had contemplated resigning), so
that he could give me any help and assistance I
might require from him.
His vast knowledge and great experience, and
above all, his wise counsel, was always placed at
my disposal and his advice and assistance in all
matters of importance were most helpful and greatly
appreciated by us a ll; indeed his loss to the Council,
and to the profession, is almost irreparable. His
death has created a void which it will be difficult
to fill. I do not think that the profession has had
amongst its members one who commanded more
respect or one more kindly disposed towards his
fellow members. He took a very keen interest
in all matters pertaining to the profession and no
member had its interest more at heart.
Fie was proud of his profession and the profession
was proud o f him and this was evidenced by the
fact that he was honoured by the Society when
he celebrated the Golden Jubilee o f his membership
o f the Council. In honouring him so we honoured
ourselves.
As has already been mentioned, he
was the Patron o f the Solicitors’ Benevolent Associa
tion and at all times contributed most generously
to its funds. In fact, it may be said of him that
his kindness and generosity knew no bounds.
He was in my opinion the incarnation o f every
good quality in man.
In passing on to his well merited reward he has
left behind him the memory of a great man who
was a model and example for us all, a memory
which I shall always cherish.
It is now my sad duty to ask you to rise, to record
in silence the deep sense o f loss of us all, and to
convey to his relatives our deep sorrow. 1 do so
with a deep sense of my own personal loss, which
I know that each o f you share with me. Your
presence at this specially convened meeting is
an unspoken tribute to him.”
Mr. G. A. Overend and Mr. P. R. Boyd addressing
this meeting said that the President’s words found
an echo in the hearts o f all those present.
The following resolution was then read and the
members passed it standing in silence.
RESOLVED that we, the Council, assembled
in special meeting on the occasion of the death
o f our esteemed and beloved colleague, William
S. Hayes, after almost 58 years’ unbroken service
on the Council and on its Committees, hereby
record our gratitude and appreciation for the
devotion and ability which he brought to every
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