The Gazette 1916-17

DECEMBER,

T&e Gazette of .the laeorporated Law Society ot Ireland,

and the result of the scrutiny showed that out of that 800 only 390 thought fit to vote. While members criticised the Council they ran away from their own Society, kept their vote in their pockets, and did not pay any attention to it. Every Solicitor in Ireland should be an active mem-ber of the Society ; but if the present condition of affairs con tinued the .result would be that, no matter what legislation would be proposed, Parlia ment would not give the slightest attention to the profession. He knew how the President and the Council had exerted themselves dur ing their period of office in the interests of the profession, but it was hard to expect them to insist upon the rights of men who would not look aifter their own interests, who would not join the Society, but who left it to others to work for them. The motion for the adoption of the Report was then put by the President, and passed. Upon the motion of MR. JAMES BRADY, seconded by MR. QUAID, a vote of thanks was passed to the President and Council for the steps taken to obtain from the military authorities the necessary permission for Solicitors to interview person's under arrest in connection with the recent rebellion. THE PRESIDENT having vacated the chair, and MR. JOHN H. WALSH, one of the Vice-Presidents, having been moved thereto, MR. RICHARD A. 'MACNAMARA pro posed a vote of thanks to Mr. Orpen for the m-anner in which he discharged the duties of President during his period of office. In doing so he said they never had a more energetic President. Ever at the -call of the Society, when anything required ;to be done the President took the matter in hand, and interviewed the various parties and tried to get everything right. He interviewed Registrars, Judges, and other persons, and everything that could 'be done for the welfare and interests of the profession he did it. They had had many active Presidents, but they never had one more active than Mr. '©rpen. That was what was only to be expected from the grandson of Sir R. J. T. 'Orpen, who was for six years President of -their Society, and whose portrait adorns their •*Kall.- They hoped also to see .a portrait of his grandson there, • painted "by his

own He was sorry that fee President's period of office terminated in a period of such gloom, but it was a gloom which they would face with full hearts, and to him they owed a deep debt of gratitude for what he had done for every member of the profession. THE CHAIRMAN .—We needjiot ask any one to second this resolution ; you all feel in concurrence with it. You feel deeply grateful to the President for the work he has done during the year. I declare the resolu tion carried. . . MR. ORPEN, in acknowledging the vote, said he thanked the members extremely, especially Mr. Macnamara for the manner in which he proposed the resolution. He could assure them that to work with the Council of the Incorporated Law Society was a pleasure to him ; but it would be quite impossible for the President to do very much, no matter how well-meaning he might be, except .he was backed up by the entire Council, and •every member of the Council had worked loyally together. He expressed his appre ciation of the work done by the Secretary for the Society. He also thanked their representative in Parliament, Mr. P. J. Brady, who was always ready to help them in every way he could. He could very -easily form an idea as to how they would take any reference to Mr. Brady, he had come out at the top of the poll, and rightly so, for he had got the confidence of -every Solicitor iin Ireland. The -proceeding* then terminated. brother. November 1st. The late Mr. Gerald 'Byrne. A resolution was passed expressing the regret of the Council at the death of Mr. Gerald Byrne, a past President, and expressing the sympathy of the Council with Mrs. Byrne in her bereavement. Court of Examiners. The report of the Court of Examiners upon the October Preliminary and Final Examina tions -and 'the award of the Eindlater •Scholarship was submitted .and adopted. Meetings of the Council.