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The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.
QUNE, 1914
made by the country members was a most
reasonable and a most logical claim. With
reference to the bargain made in 1888, it was
recognised by the Society that country mem
bers were entitled to different treatment, in
the matter of subscription, to town members.
The offensive remarks about twopence
a week and fourpence a week were out
of place, and not likely to smooth matters.
It was not a question of subscription,
it was a matter of principle. It was said
to the country member: " You are a full
member, but we wont allow you to have the
vote—you must buy the vote." It was an
irritating point with the country solicitor.
There were seven hundred or eight hundred
solicitors in the country standing aloof, and
this was probably the cause.
MR. CUSSEN said it was admitted that
they were anxious to secure the membership
of solicitors in the country. Many say : " the
" reason we did not join so far is that we don't
" consider we get sufficient advantages for 10s.
" We believe to join is a duty ; but if we join
" we have absolutely no voice in the manage-
" ment, of the Society." The election of
country delegates gave them no power in the
management of the Society, which was abso
lutely vital. Those who transacted the busi
ness were only those who resided in Dublin.
The very most attending would be two or
three, and they did say that they should have
a voice in controlling affairs. By the charter
they could only speak through the Council, and
all the property was vested in that Council.
MR. ROONEY, in winding up the debate,
said it was obvious he was going to be beaten.
He could tell the meeting, however, that he
had taken the trouble to secure the opinion
of Counsel (Mr. Sergeant Sullivan), and
Counsel's opinion was that the bye-law in
question is
ultra vires,
and that everyone that
paid 10s. a year could vote whether the
Council liked it or not.
THE PRESIDENT.—We have Sir Francis
Palmer's opinion to the contrary, obtained in
1908.
Mr. Rooney then read the opinion of
Counsel.
The motion of Mr. Rooney was put to the
meeting and declared lost.
Upon the motion of Mr. Fry a cordial vote
of thanks was passed to the President, and
the proceedings terminated.
Meetings of the Council.
May 6th.
Retirement of Master Tandy and
Master Goff.
LETTERS were read from both of the Taxing
Masters who have retired, expressing their
thanks for the resolutions of good wishes
of the Council in their retirement.
Resident Magistrates.
A letter was read from Mr. O'Shee, M.P.,
in reply, in reference to the answer of the
Chief Secretary to his question upon the
subject of the recent appointment of aMilitary
officer as Resident Magistrate, and also
stating that he was about to- introduce his
Bill dealing with appointment of Resident
Magistrates.
Criminal Justice Administration Bill.
A letter was read from Mr. O'Shee, M.P.,
requesting the Parliamentary Committee of
the Council to consider this Bill, and to favour
him with any amendments they might think
desirable to be made. The Bill was referred
to the Parliamentary Committee.
Costs Committee.
A report from the Costs Committee upon
the following query, "submitted for decision
to the Council, was adopted :—
Query.—What is the scale fee payable to
lessor's Solicitor for preparing lease and
counterpart of premises for 61 years ;
rent,
£4 10s. Od. ;
poor law valuation, £5 ;
and
are certain items for preliminary attendances,
perusals, etc., payable to lessor's Solicitor by
lessee, in addition to the scale fee ?
Answer.—The Committee are of opinion
that the costs of the lease should be drawn
as of a long lease not at a rack rent;
accordingly the scale fee payable by the lessee
to lessor's Solicitor is
£5 ;
and the Committee
are also of opinion that the lessor's Solicitor
is not entitled to any of the preliminary
items.