The Gazette 1949-1952

The universal honour, and I may well say love of our profession for him, was, however, not evoked merely by this long service and high distinction. These were without precedent. Our deep sense of loss is occasioned far more by his outstanding character and personality. No one could meet William S. Hayes without immediate recognition o f his outstanding qualities. He was always kind and courteous to all. In the contests within the legal arena he was ever a redoubtable opponent, but always fair and always just. It was a proverb in our profession that his word was his bond. His knowledge o f law was unequalled. He had a rare capacity o f judgment. By instinct he appeared always to seize on the vital elements in every problem which came before him. We in this Council have had ample opportunity to appreciate that great gift. Mr. Hayes was a member of this profession and of this Council before most o f those now present in this Chamber were born. During that lengthy active life he never spared himself. His labours, however, left his energy, his faculties, his ever, temper untouched. Indeed, he appeared to us to grow in stature year after year. He seemed to stand like a great rock in the seas, unmoved by tide or storm. To the very end he retained the same energy, the same vigour, the same joy in life. His outward appearance did not indicate his great age. We o f this Council spoke of him between ourselves as “ Father William.” He was, indeed, the father o f the Council. He was also always its leader. A fine public speaker, he was always our spokesman. To him fell the unquestioned right and duty year after year, to speak first at all our functions such as our annual dinner. To him always fell the task of moving the vote o f thanks to the outgoing President. Fie spoke always with wit and with sound judgment. We who were honoured by his friendship will always remember him. We shall remember him, his great gifts, his pre-eminent personality, his unfailing generosity, his innumerable acts of kindness. We shall remember also his friendly smile and the kindly twinkle of his eye. In short, we shall always remember with gratitude and love our old friend William S. Hayes. What I have just said, a formal tribute, is on behalf from the Council, to our dear friend. I should like, in addition, to pay my own humble tribute, although I find it very hard to give adequate expression to my personal feelings in speaking of such an outstanding personality and friend, who was beloved by us all. When I first heard about my probable election as President I called on him for his advice and he

met me with his usual genial smile and encouraged me to allow my name to go forward. He also, by way o f encouragement, decided to allow his name to go forward for re-election to the Council (from which he had contemplated resigning), so that he could give me any help and assistance I might require from him. His vast knowledge and great experience, and above all, his wise counsel, was always placed at my disposal and his advice and assistance in all matters of importance were most helpful and greatly appreciated by us a ll; indeed his loss to the Council, and to the profession, is almost irreparable. His death has created a void which it will be difficult to fill. I do not think that the profession has had amongst its members one who commanded more respect or one more kindly disposed towards his fellow members. He took a very keen interest in all matters pertaining to the profession and no member had its interest more at heart. Fie was proud of his profession and the profession was proud o f him and this was evidenced by the fact that he was honoured by the Society when he celebrated the Golden Jubilee o f his membership o f the Council. In honouring him so we honoured ourselves. As has already been mentioned, he was the Patron o f the Solicitors’ Benevolent Associa­ tion and at all times contributed most generously to its funds. In fact, it may be said of him that his kindness and generosity knew no bounds. He was in my opinion the incarnation o f every good quality in man. In passing on to his well merited reward he has left behind him the memory of a great man who was a model and example for us all, a memory which I shall always cherish. It is now my sad duty to ask you to rise, to record in silence the deep sense o f loss of us all, and to convey to his relatives our deep sorrow. 1 do so with a deep sense of my own personal loss, which I know that each o f you share with me. Your presence at this specially convened meeting is an unspoken tribute to him.” Mr. G. A. Overend and Mr. P. R. Boyd addressing this meeting said that the President’s words found an echo in the hearts o f all those present. The following resolution was then read and the members passed it standing in silence. RESOLVED that we, the Council, assembled in special meeting on the occasion of the death o f our esteemed and beloved colleague, William S. Hayes, after almost 58 years’ unbroken service on the Council and on its Committees, hereby record our gratitude and appreciation for the devotion and ability which he brought to every 30