The Gazette 1912-13

59

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

DECEMBER, 1912]

as member of the Council for the ensuing year (applause). This fact shows me that my actions and exertions have met with the approval of my brother professional men (applause). MR. R. A. MACNAMARA said he had much pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report. He wished, in the first place, to join with the President in expressing .the great regret of the Council and, he was sure of the whole profession, at the retirement of so many eminent members of the profession from the Council, men who were foremost in their attention to the interests of the pro fession and who were constant in their attendance at meetings of the Council. The principal matter referred to in the report was that dealing with the County Courts. As the report stated, they received from the Lord Chancellor the suggestions of the County Court Judges. They went through these suggestions most carefully, and were able to agree with many of them, and had returned them to the Lord Chancellor with their observations. He hoped that now that the question had been debated the Government would take the matter in hand and would soon bring forward a Bill dealing with the subject. The Council took the greatest care in examining every Bill brought in, and scrutinised them to see if in any way the rights and interests of the profession were interfered with. Whenever they saw any thing that was calculated to injuriously affect the profession they had asked Mr. P. J. Brady, M.P., who was kind enough to look after their interests in the House, to do what he could for the safeguard of the profession. Another matter referred to in the repoit was the discontinuing of the publishing of the lists of Quarter Sessions' cases. There was some difficulty owing to the cost. They had communicated with the various County Councils on the matter, and had received satisfactory replies from several. MR. T. H. R. CRAIG said he did not rise to move any amendment, but inasmuch as he took part in the special meeting held last January, he would like to say a word to correct an impression that, he thought, had got out erroneously amongst the Sheriffs of Ireland about the Bill. He had received a letter that morning from a well-known Sheriff in Ireland, and he might say,

busy with questions under the Labourers' Act, and the remuneration of Solicitors there under. Correspondence has passed with and consultations have been held with the Local Government Board, the results of which from the report will be seen have not been satis- .factory. Guaranteed Stock has, through our influence, been put upon a firmer basis. Provision for proper remuneration for work done by Solicitors and Receivers in filling up the new forms under the Finance Act and required for sales in the Land Judges Court has been made. The troublesome question of fee funds to be paid on appeals from County Court has been settled, so no difficulty will arise in the future about them. We have again asked to be relieved from the iniquitous tax of annual certificate duty, and received the usual reply, that the Chancellor could not see his way to reduce or abolish it. Well, if the Government insist on taxing us we will insist on the Government protecting our profession from inroads by persons not members of the profession—and this is only fair (hear, hear). We are always ready in proper cases to prosecute parties at the expense of the Society who practice illegally, and we request the members to give immediate information of such cases to our Secretary. We have tried to have the Easter and Whitsuntide Vacations so fixed that the festive occasions should not occur during Sittings, but owing to the going out of Judges on circuit it is thought not workable. Questions on costs by members receive prompt attention, and as to fixing a definite fee for filling up the Form 4 under the Finance Act, the Council think it shou,ld be dealt with upon a quantum meruit basis. We have received our Grant of Arms from the Ulster King of Arms, and His Majesty has given sanction to the wearing of the President's badge at Court functions. I cannot conclude my remarks upon this report without referring to a matter which is personal to myself. I think I am the first of practising Quarter Sessions Solicitors who has had the honour of being President of this important Society, and when I took office by the votes of the Council, I determined, so far as in me lay, to devote my energies to the interest of the profession, and it is a great satisfaction to me to-day to find at the end of my year of office I am re-elected at the head of the poll