LATE SIR JOHN SALMOND.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18186, 24 September 1924, Page 9

LATE SIR JOHN SALMOND.

LAW SOCIETY'S TRIBUTE.

Members of the Canterbury Law Society yesterday assembled in the Supreme Court to pay a tribute to the memory of the late Sir John Salmond. feir John Salmond 'a sudden end, in the flood-time of his wisdom and capac»tr, Baid Mr F. W. Johnston, president. the Canterbury Law Society, was a great loss, and had given a shock to all members of the Society, who wished to tender their sincere regrets to tiie Bench and to the late Judge's reladSm,?L r ?°- hn Salmon( i n °t only was ac S- hGd 1U learuin g' but nad m ™ g P ersonal ity. t Ji T - S ' G \ Ba >'moiid, K.C., referring Joh*Vf ßool^ 1011 with the late Sir John Salmond, said that he had known him intimately for thirty-five years, iney were m partnership in South Canterbury, and it was from the partnership that Sir John Salmond went to the position of Professor of Law at Adelaide University. It was impossible to speak on an occasion of that character without deep emotion. Most successful men at the Bar and on the pencil attained their positions by qualities of speech and argument in Court. It was different with Sir John Salmond. He attained his high position through his writing. He rose from comparative obscurity to be a leader of legal thought and a considerable contributor to the sum of human knowledge. He was also a great administrator in his time. As Solicitor-Gen-eral he played a very active and important part in the destinies of this Dominion when it passed through its years of gravest peril. His record had been one of great service in many capacities—as a writer, an administrator, a diplomatist, and, finally, a Judge. His memory would bo a stimulus that would bo handed down to New Zealand members of the profession from generation to generation.

His Honour Mr Justice Sim said that the late Judge was a great jurist, and his death was a loss not only to New Zealand but also to tho whole legal world where English law prevailed. He was clear in thought and lucid in exposition. His name was a household word in the English-speaking legal world. In addition, he was a man of spotless integrity, was actuated by a high sense of duty, and was a charming companion, and his death would be most sadly felt by his personal friends, amongst whom his Honour was privileged to regard himself.

AUCKLAND'S TRIBUTES. (PHBSS ASSOCIATION TELIGBAH.) AUCKLAND, September 23. Tributes to the memory of the late Sir John Salmond were paid at a large gathering of tho Auckland Law Society in the Supreme Court this morning. His Honour Mr Justice Herdman presided, and Messrs F. K. Hunt, and W. R. McKean represented the Magistracy. Mr A. H. Johnstone, president of the Auckland Law Society, said that Sir John Salmond was entitled to rank as one of New Zealand's greatest men. In his relations with the Bar he always showed the utmost courtesy and kindness.

Mr Justice Herdman said that New Zealand had lost a public servant of urpassing distinction. One quality that specially distinguished him was his instinctive anxiety at all times to lay bare the truth. His life should stimulate future generations of lawyers to aim at reaching the high standard which he set.

EULOGIES FROM BENCH AND BAR. (PKISS ASSOCIAIOIf TELEG&ASt.) MASTERTON, September 23. At the Supreme Court this morning, feeling tributes to the late Sir John Salmond were expressed on behalf of the Masterton Bar by Mr H. C. Robinson, who said misfortune had overtaken not only our country and the Empire, but all nations who were to-day seeking some basis of common agreement to stop war. They were in desperate need of men vfho were articulate, not only on their own people, but on the people of other nations. Such a man was fcir John Salmond. His weight held sway among all jurists of the fcmpire. •Mr A F Wright (Chnstchurch) and Mr D M. Fiudlay (Wellington) added glowing eulogies on behalf of their respective Bars. His Honour Mr Justice Mactxregor, in endorsing the tributes, said Sir John Salmond was a conspicuous character m our colonial life. He was a man of profound learning, outstanding ability, a great student, and a free writer, whose opinions were accepted in. tbe highest and most intellectual circles. The blow was a sudden one to his famlv and to-day Bench and Bar sympathised with, them and publicly deplored their loss.