The Gazette 1944-46

MR. WILLIAM S. HAYES IN Trinity Term, 1884, Mr. William S. Hayes was admitted a solicitor. He was elected a member of tiie Council in 1894 and has been re-elected each year since then without interruption. He served as President of the Society in 1906-1907. It is un– necessary to refer to the great part which he has during all these years played in the affairs of the Society and of the profession. In the present year he will complete his sixtieth year as a solici– tor, and his fiftieth year of continuous service on the Council. The Council feel that such a golden jubilee, which is unique in the history not only of this Society, but, perhaps, of any other, and which is unlikely to recur in the lifetime of the present generation, if indeed ever, should be commemora– ted by some appropriate tribute to Mr. Haycs' long and devoted service to the profession, and his distinguished record as one of its leaders. They believe that in sponsoring this proposal the}' will have the warmhearted approval and support of the entire profession. In the opinion of the Council the tribute woidd most fittingly take some form such as will record for future generations of solicitors the association of Mr. Hayes with the Society. After full consideration the Council have re– solved to commission Mr. Leo Whelan, R.H.A., one of Ireland's most distinguished painters, to paint the portrait of Mr. Hayes, which on its com– pletion will be unveiled at a simple ceremony and hung permanently in the Society's premises. The Council, therefore, acting on behalf of the profession generally, have directed me to invite the members of the Society, and any other solici– tors who would so desire, to subscribe to the cost of the portrait. If the required amount should be over-subscribed, the surplus will be paid to the funds of the Solicitors' Benevolent Association. The Council consider that the portrait executed by this eminent Irish painter will, in addition to being a tribute to Mr. Hayes, add to the dignity of the Society, and they feel confident that the pro– fession as a whole will be anxious to subscribe to it. Subscriptions, which are limited to one guinea, should be addressed to the Secretary, Incorporated Law Society of Ireland, Solicitors' Buildings, Four Courts, Dublin.

the profession has been remarkable. His good nature and kindness have been always appreciated and his sound judgment on our difficult questions has been generally followed. The profession, how– ever, owe him deep gratitude and the Council have decided to mark the occasion in a suitable manner. Mr. J. Travers Wolfe has been fifty years quali– fied and is a very old member of the Council and was our President three years ago. Mr. Wolfe was one of the ablest solicitors that Ireland has pro– duced and the number of kind acts he did in the Council and outside are very well known. On the death of certain solicitors he conducted the businesses of the deceased, free of charge, for the benefit of the widow and children until some son was qualified to take up the work. That is the sort of brotherhood I like to see among the members. The men I have just mentioned were exceptional characters and I wish I could hand down a survey of their characters as a shining light to guide the generation of solicitors who will be our successors. My predecessor, Mr. Hamill. and the Council, got the Government to accept a sixty per cent, pass in our Final Examination as equivalent to a University Degree for those who seek appoint– ments in the Irish Civil Service. That was a valuable achievement, but I fear it will not do much towards helping the numbers who join the ranks. The Government are inclined to take advantage of the fact that young solicitors will work for very small salaries. At the conclusion of the President's speech, Mr. D. D. MacDonald drew attention to the position arising in appeals to the Supreme Court heard by four judges where members of the Court are equally divided in their opinions and suggested that all such appeals should be heard either by three or five judges. He also referred to the necessity in the Circuit Court of making an application for a case stated before judgment has been delivered. Mr. Cox having been moved to the second chair. Mr. Hayes proposed and Mr. Wolfe seconded a vote of thanks to the President for his address. The motion was passed with acclamation. The President having replied, the proceedings ter– minated. The President replied to the points raised.

10