The Gazette 1952-1955

believe that this was no exaggeration, for his firmness and integrity were allied to an astute but genial approach to the problems o f life. His adventures at that time would, indeed, have been worth record­ ing, but unfortunately he had neither the time nor the desire to record them. The spoken word was for him always more important than the written. On one occasion he was captured and under sentence o f death but his clever appeal to the religious susceptibilities o f his captors deferred the time of execution until the Truce ensured his release. After the establishment o f the new Irish state he became interested in politics and in 1927, as a supporter o f Mr. Cosgrave, he was elected as one of the deputies for West Cork, a position which he held until his retirement from the political arena in 1933. As a member o f the Dail he was in his element, and his ready wit, wide legal know­ ledge, and understanding o f Irish rural conditions made him an invaluable contributor to its debates. He was naturally interested in legal questions and it was largely as a result of his continued agitation and efforts that the old system under which the High Court went on circuit to hear appeals from the Circuit Court was restored in 1938. He main­ tained with much wisdom that it was necessary for a judge to see and hear a witness and that, therefore, the system o f appeal on shorthand notes of the original hearing was neither just nor satisfactory. No litigant, he pointed out, felt that he got justice unless he participated in the pro­ ceedings. He was also interested in education and was for many years a member o f the first Governing Body o f University College, Cork. In January, 1941, came the crowning honour of his career when he was elected President o f the Incorporated Law Society, being the first Corkman to hold that position. He had been one of the leaders o f the long overdue revolt of the provincial solicitors against the Dublin monopoly o f office, and they had no better representative. Few appoint­ ments have been more popular and he discharged his duties during his year o f office with ability and dignity. In recent years ill health and the infirmities o f age caused him to retire from public and pro­ fessional activity but he retained the regard and affection o f a wide circle of friends. Jasper Wolfe was a distinguished and learned lawyer, but it is as a

brilliant advocate that he will be best remembered, for advocacy was not only his metier but his delight. Few members o f the legal profession were more experienced in court work. He combined an expert knowledge o f procedure with an uncanny and penetrating insight into human nature, and particularly Irish rural human nature, in all its ramifications. These gifts made him a deadly cross-examiner and an incomparable strategist. Often his more slow-witted opponents found he had out-flanked and turned their position before the contest had properly begun. But this mental toughness and agility o f mind were combined with a rare magnanimity and commonsense which made him both generous and reasonable in the moment of victory. In all these attributes he was, indeed, a true son o f West Cork. There is no epitaph he would have more desired. J. J . H. M r . J. T ravers W olfe , Solicitor, died at his residence, “ Norton,” Skibbereen, Co. Cork, on the 28th August, 1952. Mr. Wolfe was admitted in Michaelmas Sittings, 1893, and practised at Skibbereen, Co. Cork, as senior partner in the firm o f Messrs. Jasper T. Wolfe & Co. He was a member o f the Council of this Society from the year 1929 to 1950, Vice- President for the year 1932-1933, and President o f the Society for the year 1940-1941. M r . H enry G. C onnolly , Solicitor, died at Maretimo, Salthill, Co. Galway, on the 16th October, 1952. Mr. Connolly served his apprenticeship with the late Mr. Redmond J. Connolly, Solicitor, Clifden, was admitted in Hilary Sittings, 1903, and practised at Clifden under the style o f Messrs. R. J. Connolly & Son. M r . J ohn G odfrey B oyle , Solicitor, died on the 31st July, 1952. Mr. Boyle served his apprenticeship with the late Mr. John Boyle, Solicitor, was admitted in Easter Sittings, 1930, and practised at Ballymoney. M r . T homas J ames M c K eown , Solicitor, died on the 8th September, 1952. Mr. McKeown served his apprenticeship with the late Mr. John McCormick, Solicitor, and was admitted in Michaelmas Sittings, 1925.

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