LATE W. J. NAPIER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 285, 2 December 1925, Page 9

LATE W. J. NAPIER.

LAW SOCIETY'S TRIBUTE. I CHIEF JUSTICE'S ADMIRATION. I Members of the Auckland Law Society ' gathered at the Supreme Court this morning to express their sense of loss at the death of a very old, member, the late Mr. Wm. Joseph Napier, who passed away on Saturday'las'; at the age of 68 years. When the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) took his place on the bench, the president of the society. Mr. A. H. Johnstone, voiced expressions of regret, and said that the society extended their sympathy to the widow and relatives. The late Mr. Napier was one of the oldest members of the society, having been admitted to the Bar in ISS3, and for fully 44 years he carried on actively in his profession. There were few present in the court room who could not remember when tlie late Mr. Napier was not one of the best known practitioners in the city. A man of great ability, and high professional ideals, deceased was endowed with qualities which enabled him to gather and hold throughout his lifetime a large and lucrative practice. In late years, Mr. Napier was seen little in court, preferring the office side of the worj):, but years ago he was one of the most able and successful advocates. He had given a great deal of his time to public affairs, and had been connected with many bodie-3 which had for their j objects the public welfare and the pre- ! servaion of the British Empire. In his day, he had served the country and the Empire well, and those few who knew him intimately found in him a charming personality, a genial host and a cultured gentleman, with a wide knowledge of End'sh and French literature. Sir Robert Stout said he had a high opinion of deceased as a man and a lawyer, and had admired him for his ability and his loyalty. His various associations' showed that he realised fully the importance of maintaining the Eritish Empire as a world power. His Honor expressed deep sympathy for the widow and family in their great loss. "We hope that 1 what he did will keep his memory green, and that in following 1 his example, others will help to make our nation and our Dominion great and good."