LAW STUDENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18070, 12 May 1924, Page 10

LAW STUDENTS.

SOCIETY'S ANNUAL DINNER. AN INTERESTING GATHERING.'' The Canterbury College Law Students ' Society, "whicli came into existence about a year ago, held its* first annual. dinner in the Dorothy tearooms on Saturday night. Mr T. W. Rowe, vice-president of the Society, was in the chair, and there were present about 50 members. Associated with the chairman were Messrs \V. J. Hunter, L. W. Gee, A. T. Donnelly, M. J. Burns, A. C. firassington, and R. E. Booker. An apology for unavoidable absence was received from Mr H. D. Acland, chairman of, the College Board of Governors, who was out of town. > After the loyal toast had been honoured, Mr A 1 T. Donnelly proposed the toast of '"the Society." The Society, said Mr Donnelly, was an important body in the working of Canterbury College, and should prove of great value to students, and through them to the public. ( The Society existed for the purpose of good fellowship among law students, and also to supply a wider range of legal education in Canterbury. There was a tendency among many persons simply to get over the hurdle of examinations, and to regard them as _ the beginning, and end- of the" profession. This was taking a narrow view of the profession and of their work as lawyers. There had been "a tendency/said Mr Donnelly, to confine "swot" to the notes supplied by certain benevolent institutions. This became known to the examiners, and questions had been set to trip up such candidates. Though some had criticised the examiners for this, he thought they were fight in setting such questions. Canterbury College was fortunate in having at the head of the law faculty a man of the great culture of their chairman. If Mr Rowe' wero given the opportunities which present conditions did not permit, he '-would gain even greater results. He looked forward to the time when the teaching of law would be a greater institution than now." Mr Donnelly laid further emphasis o'n the fact that the Society should encourage knowledge of wider principles of legal study. "I regard the Canterbury College Law Students' Society," he said,"as of the greatest value to the profession and to the members of :the Society, provided it is kept along the lines I have mentioned.'' (Applause.) - ; Mr A. C. Brassington, Secretary to the Society, replied. he said, was unique in Canterbury College. This was the first time that law students had gathered together, and the large number present was a good guarantee for the future of the Society. Their objects were: Firstly, to promote legal study; secondly, to promote goodfellowship among law students; and, lastly, to further the general interests of law at Canterbury/pollege. There were two proposals for furthering the interests of law students at the College: Firstly, by having the law library put on a better basis. At present the law library was utterly useless to anyone, and no sane person, declared Mr Brassington, would give £SJ for .the whole collection. 'Secondly, they had to work for the establishment of a chair of law at the College. If, tliey kept their, aims in view they would in time have a chair of law and a proper-law library, and the law students would receive proper, treatment. At present, law lecturers wqre working under disabilities, whereas if they received; J;he treatment out to engineers, they would do much. better. - 1 ' »1 -r"-' Mr M. J. Burns, president of the Society, in proposing the toast of "The Profession,'' said that the Canterbury Bar held a high, position in New; . Zealand. The younger members of the profession in Christchurcli always found ready sympathy and help from, the senior "members, as was , clear from the fact that they were willing to. deliyer lectures before the Society on a Saturday evening. ' , . Mr W. J. Punter, in reply, said that there was no' doubt that the legal profession was of great value to the country, and this was not; always recognised. Lawyers did great work in advising people,' settling "quarrels,' most of which were settled out of Court, in I assisting commerce and collecting Tew eniie for the Government., They should do everything to show their (pride in their -profession and to exalt it. There had been in the profession an ancient traditionof good-fellowship, afld he hoped- it would always be So. i ; Mr ■ Burns had mentioned; the assistance given by senior members to juniors, but their traditions could not be handed on, unless the seniors were willing to help those who were to carry, on the torch of knowledge. L-The Master of the Rolls had said .that to those who put their whole life and spirit into their work, the legal profession held out great rewards, perhaps undreamed of.' Christchurcli they had in the profession' men of good calibre, and he hoped the younger would worthiljr fill their positions. • ' . , Mr A. L. Haslam, who proposed the tojist of "The Staff," said that they were fortunate in having as- lecturers men of outstanding" ability in their/ profession. Mr T. W. Rowe replied to the toast, and said that his position as chief law lecturer at the College was one in which he took the greatest pleasure. Be was the fourth" law lecturer to be appointed sincethe College was founded fifty years ago. In the early days there was only one lecturer, Mr Izard, who was still practising in Christchurch. Then Mr GeoTge Weston held the position. Later, when the commercial degree was established, Mr T." A. Murphy was appointed, and he himself was appointed assistant. Two years ago the work was*' further split up, • and Messrs Hunter, Taylor, and Cuthbert were added to the staff. Now they had five lecturers in/ all. The staff carried on its work, saidMr Rowe, under great disadvantages, but in the last year had, made great strides in lengthening some of the periods and in increasing the number of lectures. Other toasts honoured were: "OtherFaculties," proposed by Mr L. D. Page,, and responded to by Mr J. Earl, and '.'The Ladies." A number of musical items were interspersed throughout • -.the 'toast-list. These were contributed, by Messrs T. W. Rowe, J. H. Williamson, E. C. Drury, P. Page, W. M. Te Awarau, M. J. Bums, l! N. Orchard, and W. J. Hunter. The singing of the National Anthem brought a successful reunion to a close.