MR JUSTICE GILLIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 177, 27 July 1889, Page 8

MR JUSTICE GILLIES.

REMARKS BY DR. GILES.

Priob to the commencement of the ordinary business afc the Police Court, His Worship Dr. Giles, E.M., referred to the sudden decease of Mr Justice Gillies. The following representatives of the Bar were in attondance:—Messrs E. Hesketh, Theo. Cooper (Devore and Cooper), T. Cotter, J. M. Alexander, H. Campbell (Russell and Campbell), A. D. Stone (W. Thome), W. Dignan (Dignan and Armstrong), S. Hesketh, W/Blauee, and G. N. Brassey. Sergeant-Major Pratt represented the police.

Dr. Gilos said : " Before the ordinary business of the Court commences, I should like to say a word about the sad event which has occurred since the lasb sitting of this Court. I refer to the sudden decease of Mr Justice Giilies. I need scarcely refer to the . great, services which the late Mr Justice Gillies has rendered to the community amongst whom he has so long resided. These have already been mentioned, and doubtless will be done full justice to t in other quarters, i only wish now to speak of him in his capacity as Judge of the Supreme Court. It is always an important matter to tho habitual occupants of this Bench that the Judgo of the Supreme Court should be one in whom they can have confidence— one who would be to them a guide, and would act towards them in such a way as to assure them that their decisions, when brought under his review, will meet with a liberal construction at his hands, that the principles laid down by him should be capable of being understood by tho Magistrates and followed as a guide in the future. Although I have not consulted with my brother Magistrates, I feel assured thatthey will' concur with me that the late Mr Justice Gillies waa such a judge. I am euro that they will feel that in the past their decisions have received afc the hands of Mr Justice Gillies such consideration as I have endeavoured to express, and that whilst on the one hand ho was an eminent lawyer, on the othor he was also of an emphatically practical: mind one who would nob leu technicalities overbear common sense j wo who would bako a practical view of things, Such rulings were a great help to the oooupanta of t)hia Bench in learning how far technicalities might bo carried, and ab what) point they should ceasu to prevail in deference to more important oonsiderationa, Tho Bench has suffered a loos that will nob easily be filled, and I am sure bhat my brother magistrates will agree in thia expression of bho rsgitib which we f«lb when We heard the sad news fchab burst upon us yesterday," Mr- Edwin Heaketh said iv reply ; " As senior member pf the bsv peaqnt I would gay thftb my follow members, and myself were exceedingly glad fcp hear the words.. which have .iuafc now fallen from your | Worship. We deeply regret the eventj >vhich has happened as we all feel that we have, sustained, great loss by the death nt Mv Justice Gilliee. As a judge all