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The following members addressed the Meeting
on the question of the Land Registration Fee
Order, 1944, arising on the Report: Messrs. T. H.
R. Craig, Desmond Moran, J. B. Murphy, Clones
(representing the Co. Monaghan Bar Association),
Scan 6 hUadhaigh, R. Downey (representing the
North Cork Bar Association) and Mr. Peter
Woods (representing the Co. Louth Bar Associa
tion).
Mr. Cox, Vice-President, then took the chair
and Mr. A. H. S. Orpen proposed and Mr. Scan
6 hUadhaigh seconded a motion that the best
thanks of the Society be given to the President
for his great services during the year and for his
presidential address. The motion was carried with
acclamation. The President thanked the Meeting
and the proceedings terminated.
PORTRAIT OF MR. WILLIAM
S.
HAYES.
A very pleasant function took place at the Half-
yearly General Meeting of the Society, on Nov
ember 27th, \vhen the President unveiled a por
trait in oils by Mr. Leo Whelan, R.H.A., of Mr.
William S. Hayes. The cost of the portrait was
subscribed by members of the Profession and the
ceremony was largely attended. The occasion of
the ceremony was to commemorate the sixtieth
anniversary of Mr. Hayes as a solicitor and the
period of more than fifty years during which he
has served continuously as a member of the
Council. Mr. Hayes was President of the Society
in
the year 1906-1907 and during his lengthy
period of service on the Council has been one
of its most active and untiring members. The
portrait, which was unveiled by the President,
has been hung permanently
in
the Council
Chamber of the Society.
The President, before unveiling the portrait,
said: "I have to perform a very pleasant duty.
When last addressing apprentices who had passed
their Final Examination, I gave them some advice
regarding their future life. It is not necessary for
me to give such advice to-day, because of the
old saying that 'example is greater than precept,'
and I now have the pleasure of unveiling the
portrait of Mr. Hayes by the great painter,
Mr. Whelan, which will be hung in the Council
Chamber from this day forth. It is the portrait of
a man who became a member of the Profession
in the year 1884. He was elected a member of the
Council in the year 1894 and in every year of the
fifty years that had since elapsed he was re-elected
without interruption, and at each election the
members of the Profession throughout Ireland
have shown their great regard and affection for
him by electing him either at the top of the poll
or, at any rate, high up in the poll. This record is
unique in the history of the Society and probably
unknown in the history of any other Society
and may never recur. The members of our Pro
fession decided that this Golden Jubilee of my
friend, Mr. Hayes, should not be allowed to pass'
unnoticed, and that it should be recorded for
future generations of solicitors by the presence
of the portrait in
the Council Chamber. The
members of the Profession have taken up the pro
ject warmly and generously. Mr. Hayes was
President of the Society in the year 1906-1907.
It was in that year that the
Gazette
was first
published and the members all know what an
advantage the
Gazette
is to the Profession. Mr.
Hayes has been a most regular member at meet
ings ; his advice on every important subject was
sought and followed. He is the ideal member.
We are delighted to see him here to-day, looking
so hale and hearty. WTe hope that for rnany years
to come he will be spared to continue the good
work as a member of the Council. May the present
members of our Profession and those who come
after us and look upon this portrait be inspired to
follow the example of a great solicitor and citizen.
I have now great pleasure in unveiling this
portrait."
Mr. Hayes, in replying, said :—
"I have to thank all those who have kindly
presented this portrait associated with the name
of the great artist, Mr. Leo Whelan. I have to
thank first, our past President who, I think,
originated the idea, and the President, the Vice-
Presidents and the Committee who kindly ar
ranged for the painting of the portrait. I am
sorry that at the moment it is the only portrait
in the hall. There were many portraits in our old
hall of old and respected members of our Profess
ion. We should all endeavour to follow in their
footsteps.
My father and myself, taken together, cover a
period of 104 years as practising solicitors,—
he, having been admitted a solicitor in the year
1840. I have had the pleasure of transacting
business with the great-grandfathers of some
members here to-day. For instance, with Mr.
David FitzGerald's great-grandfather, Mr. Tom
FitzGerald, whom I can well remember as a dear
old gentleman, one of the founders of the firm
of D. & T. FitzGerald. His grandson, Ned, is now
a valued member of our Council. The FitzGeralds
are only one of several firms established for over
100 years. The year 1840 seems to have been a
remarkable year for the foundation of firms. I
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