A LEGAL LOSS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 109, 1 February 1930, Page 9

A LEGAL LOSS

THE LATE MR. T. F. MARTIN TRIBUTE FROM BENCH AND BAR Some 50 or 60 members of the legal Brofession assembled in Chambers at the Supreme Court yesterday to pay tribute to the memory of the late Mr. I. F. Martin. On the bench were the Chief Justice (Hon. Sir Michael Myers) and Mr. Justice Blair. , Mr C. G. White, president of the Wellington District Law Society, _ said: “It is with extreme regret that in such a comparatively short space of time the members of the Wellington Bar have again assembled to show their respect for the memory of one of the oldest and most respected members of the profession in Wellington. . “The late Mr. T. F. Martin was called to the English Bar in 1874, coming to New Zealand five years later. Since 1879 he has been in active practice m New Zealand, and 45 years of that time he has practised in this city. For 20 years he held the office of city solicitor, and part of the time he also held the office of town clerk of the city. He was thus closely identified with the life of the city during, a very important period of its development, and it must have been of inestimable value to the city authorities to have the counsel and advice of one so learned in the law. and at the same time so sound in judgment, and so inst in all his dealings. He wns a zealous guardian of the city’s interests, and yet he did not override the rights of its citizens. Local Government Expert. “It is well known that he specialised in local government law, and his opinions in this branch of law were sought by his brother practitioners, and by municipal officers throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand. His reputation in '■his connection was so well recognised that in 1895 he was entrusted with the preparation of a Bill dealing with local government law, and the result of his labours, fully justified the confidence reposed in him. , “Later on he made valuable contributions to the legal literature of the Dominion; his books on conveyancing and land laws and local government law being widely read and quoted. Mr. Martin held District La wSociety, and was elected office on the Wellington Council of the president in 1901. In the practice of his profession he was always courteous and kindly, and his strict integrity, and high ideals, earned the respect and esteem of all with whom fie was brought into contact. x He has left behind him no resentments nnd no 'enmity, but a memory of an unassuming rnenner. and a modest personality—a memory of a man who has given long and valuable service in the profession of the law. He was still in active practice after 55 years of strenuous work, when he was called to his lo'.g rest, and now on behalf of his fellowpractitioners I extend to his widow and members of his family our sincere sympathy.’’ Man of Highest Standing. His Honour the Chief Justice remarked that those who knew the late Mr. Martin regarded him as a man of the highest standing in the legal profession. He was one of the old school of conveyancers and real property lawyers ■of whom, unfortunately.' few now remained. He was always held in the highest respect by the clients whom he served, and particularly by the local bodies. Not only was he' respected by them, but by all his brothers in the legal profession, who had the most complete confidence in him. and knew that his word was always his bond. His colleagues and, himself desired to tender their respectful sympathy to Mrs. Martin and members of her family.