The Gazette 1964/67

G. Stapleton and David R. Pigot. Both Mr. Stapleton and Mr. Pigot gave many years of devoted service as officers of the Association, being most regular in attendance at the monthly meet ings. Their ever wise and helpful advice will not be easy to replace. The number of annual and life members has fallen to a small extent and this is all the more distressing when it is noted that almost £4,000 has been distributed in relief which is the highest figure in over one hundred years. The number of persons relieved is not unusually high but it should be noted that all applications are carefully considered and only the most deser ving receive assistance. The changing cost of living has progressively necessitated an increase in the average grant including annuitants, who in recent years, receive an extra £25 at Christinas and in July each year. An analysis of twenty recipients of grants made during the year shows as follows: (a) Average age—61 years. (b) Status—14 widows of solicitors; 3 solicitors; 2 solicitors' wives; 1 daughter of a deceased solicitor. (c) Average income per annum £180 exclusive of Association's Grant. (d) Ill-health—7. In 1966 one must need pause to wonder how these once reasonably circumstanced members of the community can survive at an average age of 61 years on an average annual income of £3-9-2 per week ! This should awaken those in the pro fession who have failed to join the Association to do so for the modest annual subscription of one guinea. Were it not for the continued watchful activity of your directors on the finance committee in maintaining the income of our portfolio in these difficult times it would not be possible to maintain the average level of the grants. To facilitate members to appreciate the direc tors' problems,' particulars of one grant appli cation, taken at random, are as follows: Applicant was aged 59 and the widow of a solicitor. One daughter just commencing in commercial life and residing with applicant, who herself was a shop assistant at £7 per week. No other income. Rent of flat £11 per month towards which daughter has just commenced to contribute. Rent, electricity and gas cost approximately £2 per week and taking everything into consideration applicant has :£2-10-0; per week to live upon. l-n Once again attention is drawn to the possibility 103

22nd and 23rd October 1966. The hosts will be the Southern Law Association, who will be co operating with the General Council of Provincial Solicitors' Association, and the S.Y.S. in this venture. CAR PARKING Members are requested not to park their cars outside the Solicitors Buildings in such a way as to prevent cars already properly parked from leaving the courtyard. On several recent occasions it has been necessary for some members to move three or four cars already parked in order to drive away from the premises. If there is insufficient parking space in the courtyard members are requested not to drive into the yard. ISRAELI LAW CONFERENCE The Law Society of Israel are holding a con ference in Haifa in the month of August. The American Express and Swissair Companies have arranged two tours one from Monday, 22nd August to Tuesday, 6th September, the other from Monday, 29th August to Tuesday, 13th September, to coincide with the conference. Mem bers who are interested in attending the confer ence should note that tour prices are as follows: 'A' grade hotels £184; 'B' grade hotels £164. The price includes air transportation from London Airport back to London Airport. Members wishing to make arrangements to travel should contact Felix O'Neill, Esq., Swiss Air Transport Co. Ltd., Grafton Buildings, 34 Grafton Street, Dublin 2. (Phone 78173). SOLICITORS' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION 102nd Annual Report of the Association December 1965 The directors have pleasure in presenting their report for the year ending 30th November 1965 together with receipts and expenditure account for that period. The directors extend their sincere sympathy to the relatives and friends of the following members who died during the year, namely Mrs. Maureen A. Gallen, James Reilly, Charles Magwood, Des mond Early, Edward M. Fitzgerald, Thomas Hanafey, Francis S. Collins, Francis L. Scott, Rev. :, Arthur Cox, Owen, Binchy, Ricjhard Ryan, Cecil