KING'S COUNSEL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12827, 11 June 1907, Page 4

KING'S COUNSEL.

. REMARKS BY MR JUSTICE COOPER. j (press association telegram.) I WELLINGTON, Juno 10. Tho Hon. Dr. Findlay, Mr M. Chapman, and Mr H. D. Bell, who havo been appointed King's Counsel, took tho fornul oath at tho Supremo Court to-dey. Mr Justice Cooper, in a few remarks, said tho Bar in Now Zealand had been distinguished for a great number of years for its learfiing, its ability, and that high 6enso of honour which was ono of the traditions of the English Bar. Tho occasion was ono to bo fairly termed historic. The gentlemen who had just taken the oath wero threo of the most distinguished loaders of the profession, and ho regretted that Mr C. P. Skerrett, who was also held in the highest respect, was not present to tako the oath. He believed that throughout the colony the appointments would be received with satisfaction by members of the Bar, by solicitors, and by the general public. This occasion, whicli brought tho New Zealand Bur on a level with the English Bar, marked the attainment of a status for which this country had been waiting for many veal's. In the course of his remarks Mr Justice Cooper mentioned tliat in the Upper Courts King's Counsel must have 11 junior with them, who was not in their own ofl.ee. The prevailing idea hitherto had been that this disability would not wei'".li heavily, .is X.C.'s rould take with them a junior from their own firm. His Honour also said, alluding to the f.sct that up to the present there had brcn no Inner Bar in , tho New Zealand Courts, that ho supposed for the future front sent, would rank as the Inner liar, and the gentlemen sworn in to-day would be entitled to occupy them. Tho gathering of tho profession, with pnd without wi'jjs, was the largest over seen in the Wellington Court, keen interest being taken in the novel ceremony, with its quaint oath.