MR KETTLE'S RETURN TO THE BENCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 51, 29 February 1916, Page 7

MR KETTLE'S RETURN TO THE BENCH.

j A WEIi-EARNED REST.

WELCOME BY THE BAR.

There was an attendance of over forty legal practitioners at the Magistrate's Ojurt this morning, when a welcome on I the occasion of his return to the bench, j after an absence of several weeks, was j extended by the bar to Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M. Speaking on behalf of the Bar, Mr. K. McVeagh, president of the Auckland Law Society, said that before the ordinary official business was proceeded with the solicitors present wished to take advantage of that opportunity of expressing their feeling of cordiality to his Worship. The bar had been much concerned on hearing that the stress of Mr. Kettle's work had rendered it necessary for him to take leave of absence, but th«v were pleased to see that he had so completely recovered. It was the wish of the Bar to assist the Magistrate to the utmost of their capacity in his endeavours to do justice in the Court. They would, in this respect, do all they could to further him in the performance of his duties, and all hoped that his Worship should be long spared to adorn position he had graced for some years so successfully. They knew that he made every effort to carry out his duties to the satisfaction of parties who resorted to the Court for decision of their arguments. " I desire on behalf of the Bar," concluded Mr. McVeagh, "to express the satisfaction we feel at seeing your Worship once more on the Bench, ready and enthusiastic to dispense justice in disputes that, come before you." ; Mr. Kettle feelingly thanked the mem- J bers of the Bar for their attendance on his j reappearance on the Bench, and assured ] them that the kind and flattering words | they had expressed were much appro- j ciated by him. During the time he had ! presided on the Bench he had, to the j best of his ability, endeavoured to per- | form the sacred and solemn duties of hie ! office in accordance with the dictates of: his conscience. He had endeavoured at! all times to administer justice in the i disputes of the parties that appeared i before him. The kind remarks they had ! made to him encouraged him to put' forth renewed efforts in the performance of his duty. Towards the end of last: year the strenuousness of his work be-: Ran to tell upon his endurance, and the ' burden upon him was rendered none the less heavy by commissions which he had to conduct in addition to his ordinary work. He would never forget the kindi ness and consideration the Bar had i shown to him.