The Gazette 1921-25

[DECEMBER, 1922

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

30

should like to take the opportunity on behalf of the Council and the profession generally, of acknowledging the courtesy and facilities afforded them at all times by the Government departments concerned in dealing with various pressing matters. Mr. Hugh Kennedy, the Law Officer of the Provisional Government, had been particularly kind to them, notwithstanding his onerous public work. He had been at all times most accessible, and had given the most patient hearing to their various representations, and generally had shown a desire to do every thing in his power to promote the interests of their profession. A Committee of the Council had worked with a Committee of the Bar Council with a view to securing better accommodation for the courts and offices than that afforded in the King's Inns. A portion of the Upper Castle Yard had been allocated for that purpose, and it was hoped that early in the New Year the courts and offices would be transferred from Henrietta Street to their new quarters. As they were aware, the Government con templated setting up, at an early date, a Committee which was to consider the whole judiciary system. The importance to their profession of such a tribunal could not be over-estimated. Accordingly, the Council had set up a number of Sub-Committees, charged with the consideration of questions affecting the several branches of the High Court, and the County Court, with a view to being in a position at the proper time to offer evidence to the Committee. Their Secretary was in com munication with various Sessions Bars throughout the Free State inviting them to send him their suggestions as to legal reform. He had already received numerous replies to his invitations, and he wanted to make it perfectly clear that the Council were most anxious to obtain suggestions of this kind from practitioners throughout the Free State, and it should be remembered that in this matter the Council was acting on behalf of the whole profession. The changes recommended by this Com mittee might involve the entire profession, and in many respects the interests of both country Solicitors and Dublin Solicitors

meeting—Mr. Reginald Andrews and Sir Augustine Baker. Mr. Andrews was called away in the prime of manhood. The Council and the first rank of the profession had sustained a great loss in his demise. His friends, and he was one from boyhood, would miss a cultured, kindly Irishman of spotless honour and integrity. One of the most distinguished of the older generation passed away in the person of Sir Augustine Baker, who filled the position of President of the Society in 1903. He was a Solicitor who united with marked ability a kindly and genial nature which endeared him to a large circle of friends. At the time of their respective deaths the Council tendered their genuine sympathy to the relatives of Mr. Andrews and Sir Augustine Baker. Speaking for the Society as a whole, he desired to express their deep regret for the loss of two such colleagues. The President, continuing, said that the destruction of the Four Courts involved the loss of their splendid premises, which were so intimately associated for so many years with the active pursuit of their profession. It was to be borne in mind that the Solicitors' Buildings were the private property of the Society, and held under a lease practically for ever at a nominal rent. A claim had been made by the Society of £300,000 in respect of these premises, and, in common with all other claims, the matter was still pending. They continued to work under great disadvantages, not only to the profession, but to the students and the general public. The destruction of these premises was a loss of an exceptional character. Solicitors' work was intimately associated with the general administration of the country. In fact, in a sense it could be described as semi-official. Their work was the medium of bringing into the coffers of the National Exchequer, in the shape of estate duties, stamp duties and other fees, very large annual amounts. Therefore, the longer the profession was hampered in the discharge of its important duties, the longer difficulties were placed in the way of legal administration. They had had more than one opportunity of placing their position before the Govern ment authorities. In this connection he