The Gazette 1909-10

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

58

[DECEMBER, 1909

as compared with land in England. There might be some explanation for that, but at first sight it was placing Ireland in an unfair position as regarded England. He shared in the regret that had been ex pressed by Mr. Fry as regarded the Solicitors Apprentices' Debating Society. From per sonal practical experience he could speak of the high educational value of that Society, and he was glad to see the Council were taking this matter into consideration. He had always found the relations existing between the Council and the Debating Society were those of an exceedingly indulgent father to a child, and he was sorry to see that anything had happened to break these relations. He hoped every effort would be made to repair the existing state of things and to re-establish the Society in the vigorous, healthy condition it was always in before (hear, hear). THE PRESIDENT then put the resolu tion, which was passed. Notices of Motion. IRISH AS AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT. MR. QUAID, who had given notice of the following motion :—" That as from the com- " mencement of the year 1911, Irish be an " essential subject in the curriculum for the " Solicitors Apprentices' Examination instead " of being an optional subject as at present, " and that the standard of proficiency in " essential Irish be fixed by the Council when "prescribing the curriculum for 1911," informed the President that it was not his intention to move it, but with the permission of the meeting he would suggest to the Council that the existing optional course in Irish for the Preliminary Examination should be reconsidered. Bye-Laws. MR. RODNEY moved that the Bye-laws should be amended so as to provide that for the first three years after admission Dublin members should only pay a subscription of 10s. per annum to the Society. He urged that it would be an advantage to the members themselves and an advantage to the Society to have younger members in the Society. The young Solicitor would then have for his use a Library which he could not possibly set up for himself, and he would have the further

advantage of being able to take part in the discussions which the general meetings provided ; while he would not only become acquainted with the members of his pro fession, but they would have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with him. He was glad to'say that there were two precedents for the proposal he brought forward—first, the country Solicitors and the town Solicitors, and, second, the Stamp Duty. And then they made special distinction between Solicitors under three years' standing and over three years' standing. There must have been some reason why the Judicature did so, and he did not see why it should not be good enough for the Society to do so. The English Society had made this provision. THE PRESIDENT : The members of the Council, I think, would be quite prepared— if that would meet with your idea—to consider this matter at the same time as Mr. Patrick Brady's resolution, and report to the meeting next May. You see, Mr. Brady suggests that all Solicitors should be practically members, and that, of course, would dispose of your resolution ; but I do not see any reason why we should not also take into consideration the resolution which you put forward. MR. RODNEY : I would like to differen tiate between them. THE PRESIDENT: The whole matter must be considered by the Council. MR. RODNEY : I will be very happy to leave it in the same position as Mr. Brady's resolution. MR. J. BARRY BROWN having seconded the resolution proposed by Mr. Rooney, it was resolved that the subject be referred to the Council to be reported upon to the May General Meeting. Membership. MR. PATRICK J. BRADY then formally moved his motion, which is given above. MR. W. GEOGHEGAN seconded the motion, which was passed. MR. C. ST. G. ORPEN (Vice-President) having been moved to the second chair, SIR GEORGE ROCHE proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Shannon, their worthy President, for presiding over them not only that day, but also during his year of office