The Gazette 1936-40

DECEMBER, 1936]

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

29

hUadhaigh, 248 ; William J. Norman, 239 ; John R. Brennan, 238; John J. Dunne, 223. And the following to form a supple– mental list in case of vacancies : John J. Dundon, 221 ; Ivan Howe, 158 ; T. Desmond McLoughlin, 151. THE PRESIDENT, addressing the meeting, said : Gentlemen Since I had the privilege of addressing you in May last I regret to say that we have lost many of our members by death, and to their relatives we tender our sincere sympathy. I wish specially to refer to the passing of Mr. Henry K. Toomey, of Athy, a member of the Council from 1924 and Vice-President during the year 1928-29. He was held in high regard by his colleagues on the Council, where his long experience coupled with an extensive knowledge of both law and practice made him a most useful member, while his unfailing courtesy and geniality endeared him to all who knew him. His death, like that of Mr. Philip O'Sullivan earlier in the year, deprived the Council of two valuable members whose death is sincerely mourned by their colleagues. To the memory of both I wish to pay my personal tribute, as I have the happiest recollections of two men who adorned our profession and whose friendship it was a privilege to enjoy. The vacancies on the Council were filled by Mr. Stapleton and Mr. Norman, who have proved most valuable members. The Annual Report which has been circulated amongst the members and will be submitted to you to-day, as is customary, gives, such a full and detailed account of the work of the Council for the past year that it seems almost unnecessary for me to say much in regard to it. There are, however, some matters to which I may very briefly draw your attention. The number of our members remains stationary, and it is rather remarkable to find it is exactly similar to the number in the previous year 786. When you find that there are 1,316 Solicitors practising in the Free State, it is at once apparent that there are a large number who have so far failed to join our Society. I dealt with this lack of interest at the May meeting and do not intend to do so again, beyond expressing the hope that even yet those members of our

profession who hold aloof while participating in all the benefits which this Society secures for the profession as a whole, may come to realise what I suggest is a very plain and obvious duty. The Courts of Justice Bill, 1934, has not yet become law, but we are all glad to see that within the last few days the Report Stage has been taken up, and I have no doubt that the Government, recognising the urgency of many of the reforms which the Bill will effect, will lose no time in putting it on the Statute Book. We still await the Rules of Court under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1934, and I may remind you that so far back as last. February we urged upon the Minister for Justice the necessity for these Rules, and were then informed that the work of drafting them had been taken in hand by Counsel. Truly, great bodies move slowly ! May I also point out the delay in issuing the bound volume of the Statutes. Those for 1933 were not issued until July, 1935, and for the year 1934 tiU May, 1936 ; while the volume for 1935 has not yet appeared. I would direct attention to the new regulation in the Land Registry in regard to returnable documents involving personal attendance at the Central Office instead of the hitherto existing practice whereby docu– ments were returned by post. This change I learned by a call on the courteous Chief Registrar is in the interest of public economy, but if a Solicitor wishes documents returned as heretofore by post, he can have this done by remitting the necessary postage. I would also draw attention to the necessity, where the original Land Certificate is lodged, of stating explicitly in writing at the time of lodgment to whom it is to be returned. The Council has had evidence that the omission of this precaution may give rise to serious trouble. As the result of correspondence between the Attorney-General and the Council, the procedure with regard to obtaining his fiat and resultant dealings has been placed on a much more satisfactory basis so far as our profession is concerned, and I would like to acknowledge the courtesy and consideration of the then Attorney-General in dealing with our representations on the matter.