The Gazette 1952-1955

outside the jurisdiction, and incidentally, I think I am right when I say that such applications can only be made on certain days during the Sittings. “ When I last spoke to you, I started by referring to the social side of our activities, and I now close on that note. I am happy to know that the proposal which I put forward six months ago, is going to be fulfilled. To-night’s dinner will, I hope, be the first of many similar occasions. I will say no more on that subject just now. “ Before I sit down, I want to say a few words— words I can assure you said in no prefunctory or merely conventional manner. I want to thank Mr. Plunkett and his staff for their great kindness and help extended to me during the past year. But for their assistance, I just could not have carried out my duties, and I may say that for me they converted many duties into pleasures. “ Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you, and may the Society continue to flourish and to maintain its splendid tradition and dignity to the end.” Mr. John R. Halpin seconded the motion for the adoption o f the report which was carried unanimously. Mr. Cornelius J. Daly proposed and Mr. John R. Halpin seconded the following motion:—“ That the following members o f the Society be appointed as the Society’s representatives on the Nomination Committee for the Cultural and Educational Panel pursuant to section 22 of the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act, 1947 -Arthur Cox, Desmond J. Collins, Francis J. Gearty, Patrick F. O’Reilly and John J. Sheil.” The motion was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. It was decided that the half-yearly General Meeting should be held on 13th May, 1954 and the next Annual General Meeting on 25th November, 1954. On the motion of Mr. George A. Overend, Mr, Carrigan, Vice-President, took the chair, Mr, Overend then proposed a vote o f thanks to the President for his distinguished service to the Society during his term o f office. The motion was carried with acclamation. The President replied and the proceedings terminated. SPECIAL EXAMINER IN LAW A pplications are invited from members of not less than seven years standing for the post o f Special Examiner in Law in succession to the late Dr. Vincent D. Keirans. Particulars o f the sajary.and conditions o f appointment may be obtained from the Secretary. PRESENTATION OF ADMISSION CERTIFICATES O n 26th November the President, before presenting

shall have to consider what steps we can take to make effective some o f its more important provisions as far as members o f this Society are concerned. It may well be that we shall have to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting during the coming year to put before the members, proposals whereby some o f the more vital provisions o f the Bill can be worked by the Society in application to its members without a new Statute. “ During my period o f office I have endeavoured to attend as many meetings as possible o f the Superior Courts Rules Committee, and let me say that I have always been received and listened to with the greatest courtesy, but I regret that no suggestions, that I put forward, were accepted, except in my capacity as a keen grammarian—and here I cannot resist recommending to the legal professions, and indeed to the general public, but in particular to draughtsmen, two interesting publications —The A.B.C. o f Plain Words and Plain Words—a Guide to the Use o f English, both written by Sir Ernest Gowers and both published by Her Brittanic Majesty’ s Stationery Office at 3/- and 2/- respectively. And now I must mention one order that was made during the past year by the Rules Committee. I mean the order shortening very slightly the period o f the long vacation, and the reversion o f the Easter and Pentecost vacations to correspond with the variable dates o f the Christian festivals. I supported those changes very strongly on behalf o f the Society. “ During the year, the revision of the Supreme Court Rules has been under consideration. Actually I gather that the revision of these rules, made nearly fifty years ago, has been under consideration for quite a little time, and during my year as a member of the committee I must admit that some progress was made, but judging by the speed o f the com­ mittee’s work, I should fancy that Everest will be conquered many times again before the revised rules are published. “ I put forward another broad suggestion with regard to the alteration o f the rules, namely, that certain applications, which in England and elsewhere, are made in Chambers or by application to a Regis­ trar, but which in this country have to be made in open court by Counsel, might here be dealt with by a Registrar’s Order or Fiat, but I was informed as I knew, that any such changes in the Rules of Court would be contrary to the Constitution, or at least would need legislation under Article 37 o f the Constitution, giving the committee power to make such changes in the rules. However, the committee were not prepared to consider any such suggestions. I must say it does seem to me archaic, and the cause of needless delay and woeful extravagance that a plaintiff must make application in open court by counsel for liberty to serve an Originating Summons