THE DINNER TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3402, 11 June 1868, Page 3

THE DINNER TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

i As our readers are aware, a dinner was girun t.y the j members of the bar in Auckland to Chief Justice ! Sir George Arnoy, ou Tuesday evening, as an expression of cordial woicome on his return, after an absence of two years, to the scene of his former labours. Sir George Arney'a eminent services in connection with the early jurisprudence »od legislation of the colony, hid long residence in the province of Auckland, the suliottude he has on all ocoasions shown for its progress and 1 prosperity, and the conscientious rectitude, untiring energy, and watchful oare with - whioh be has always upheld and maintained the dignity, integrity, and efficiency of that profession of which he it co distinguished a member, fully entitled him to some special mark of respeot and esteem. ' But powerful aa these claims upon the consideration of the bar of Auckland and the public are, there Was another fully as important — the duty of welcoming back an old friend. Indeed, there can be few things that can afford more sincere gratification and stronger encouragement, to- a gentleman who has been temporarily separated from those whom he has come to regard as his immediate friends and connections, than to be welcomed on his return with that cordiality and warmth that bespeak the sincere respect and esteem with which_ he m regarded. Of course, as we had fully anticipated, the welcome bas I een worthy of both tbe hosts and their guest ; aud none the teas so, perhaps that it was characterised by extrene unostentation. Still, though we are far from finding fault with the mode in which the profession choose to welcome their old leader, we cannot help saying that the idea has more than ouce occurred to us that, had the welcome been of a more public character, it would have been more satisfactory to the great bulk of Sir George Arney's friends and admirer*. Of courie, the bar had a perfect right to do aa they liked— to monopolise the pleasure of welcoming ao distinguished a guest; but we take upon ourselves to say that there was a very considerable, and by no mean* uoimporfcant or uniufluential,section of the community who were quite as bincere in their desire to aco -rd a hearty welcome to Sir George Arney on his return to this province as were the bar of Auckland. We are glad, however, that the event has been in itself so worthy of him whom ib was designed to honour. The dinner took place in Bellamy's, the viands being supplied by Mr. 0. Canning, of Shortlandstreet, who so well understands how to cater for public fete 3, and who possesses" a ouisirie so complete and fertile of resources as to be alike crediUble to his own skill and enterprise and to Auckland. The following was the bill of fare :—: — Fish : Schnapper (baked), lobster cutlets. Soups : Oyster, mock turtle.

SECOND COURSE. Joints : Boast saddle of. mutton, roast beef, roast turkey, roast fowls and ham, roa?t ducks, boiled turkey and oyster sauo^, boiled fowls and tougue. ' Eatrnes : Calf's tougud and brain aauce, real cutlet*, curried fowl, stewed pigeons, rwsoles, oyster i patties, stewed pukako.

THIRD COURSE. Maccaroni cheese, pheasants, plum pudding, apple pie, gooseberry pie, creams, jollies, tipsy cake, trifles. - , Lobster, salads, cheese, &o. Dessert. The undermentioned gentlemen sot down to dinner, which was nerved up in a most efficient manner :— Sir George Arney, his Honor Mr. Justice Moore, Hon. W. Swainson, Mr. District Juoge Beckham, and Messrs. T. B. Gilliea, J. 0. MaoCormiok, T. Outhwaite (l»te ßegistrar), L. OBrien (Registrar), T. Buddie, T. R. Casb, H. Hill, B. Hesketh, J. B. Russell, S. Jackson, R. W. Wynn, G. M. O'Rorke, J. Sheehan, A. Beveridge, T. Kussell, A. Brock, JET. Lusk, G. Ritchie, S. B. Hughe*, W. J. Hill, J. Richmond, T. Killing, J. tf. Crawford, W. M. Bay, and T. S. Weston. Colonel Balnearis was not present, as was erroneously stated by a contemporary yesterday, but sent an apology at the last moment. Messrs. Macdonald and Dodd were also obliged to forego the pleasure of taking part in the affair, being detained by very urgent professional business at the Thames. All the members of tho bar were present, with the exception of the two last-named gentlemen andoneortwuothers. Mr. Whitaker was unfortunately compelled to absent himself owing to severe affliction in his family, and much sympathy was expressed by the bar on his account, Mr. T. B. Gillies occupied the chair, supported on the right by Sir ' George Arney, and on the left by his Honor Mr. Justice Moore. Mr. J. C. MaoOormick filled the vice-flhain, having on his right the Sod. W. SWainson, and on his left Mr. District Court Judge Beckham. After dinner the Chairman rose, and in an appropriate speech proposed •' The Quean," alluding an eloquent terms to the devoted* loyalty to the , Crown which animated all daises of the colonists,, and which had been more prominently called forth by the unfortunate occurrence which had led to the - abandonment by his R>yal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh of his projected visit to this colony. The toast was drunk with the most cordial demonstrations of loyalty and devotion. The Chaibman then gave "The Prince and Priacess of Wales and the members of the Royal family. '* The toast was duly honoured. The Chairman" then gave the health of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowen. He said during their short stay in this portion of the colony Sir George and his amiable lady .had won the unqualified eiteem and confidence of all classes of the community. The toast was cordially drunk. The Chairman then proposed the health of the guedt of the evening, Sir George Arney. Hereferred in an able speech to the eminent professional ability and distinguished public services of the Chief .Justice. He remarked ou the difficulties which had bseu encountered in former times, and the eucouragement and affable eourteousness the bar had always experienced in their professional relations with, their distinguished leader. . . ; The toast was received in the moat enthusiastic manner. Sir George Arsey, in responding to the toast, referred to the advantages he had experienced by following in the footsteps of so distinguished a predecessor as Sir William Mat tin. It was to sterling ability andbigh integrity — to such men as Sir William Martin, the Hon. W. Swainson, Mr. Whitaker, aud Mr.Outhwaite— that the colony owed so much oorf r its present legislation and jurisprudence. He exoeadin»ly regretted the unavoidable absence of Mr. Whifcaker, on an occasioa like thig, aud he prayed God thaj; tho heavy affliction now hanging over his home might be speedily removed. Sir George went on in the course of an eloquent speech to refer to the difficulties experienced in the early days of the oolooy, and the untiring energy and perseverance that had been shown by Mr. Swainson in surmounting them. He pointed (out the difficulties and daDgers to which th« judicial traveller was then exposed in travelling on circuit from one part of the colony to another, and he statei in a jocular way,that in these later days, when colonisation had obtained a firm tad lasting hold upon the colony, the only dangers h9 had encountered were those attendant upb» crossing the Manukau bar, and landing in the surf boats at Taranaki. He expressel his surprise and satisfaction at the numerous bar he found practising in Auckland on his return. It had been hi<? experience that where the bar reposed full confidence in the Bench there were always to be found a large number of gemlemen in practice, and the number of members of the bar in Auckland was a proof of the deep confidence and respect entertained for the judicial Bench. Lookingaroundhim, and fiuding himself supported by ' s,uch a numerous bar, ho felt full confidence in his ! future oareer, and he had every assurance of the; 1 ablest assistance in discharging, the important f«uclions aud responsibilities connected witjh his office.' He also eulogv»ed Mr. Bec.kb.am for tbi able aud efficient manner in which he had continued to discharge the duties of Resident Magistrate,' during a long course of years throughout which he (the ChM Justice) had enjoyed the honour wf bis acquaintance. ' He could bear testimony to the cite and aoonracy which had characterised ail his '(Mr. Bfeckham's)' official transactions. Justice had very seld^m'indeed' miscarried under his impartial and.painstakjng supervision, and the number of ficquittals had been com^ 1 par'atively trifling in propdrtion/with the committal!**' 'nevertheless those commitijaWVero'notlhejworltof *; severe judge. He (the Chief Justice)- had examined the statistics of commlittals and convidtioas m thei country, but he found that the proportion « acquit-' 1 tals was much smaller in Auctland than in'otherv place, showing the disctimftiatidii attd cate' exercised by the Resident Magistrate in sendibg oaieji for trials He referred to the deep and lasting debt'l.f gf»titade> which the colony owed to the Hon. bit. Swkinaooaorf the time and labour' which' that gentlemen badrox-o 'pendeif in- legislating for the country, undir difficulties which under the present improved circumstances cbuld I har ) d!y be" e6n'deived' 4 or % underetbod7.. "The'statutes which M¥. Swainsorf had framed or jniper-i Tised were retttilrkibl* for'their'^peri'pwuiw, concise.! nens, and applicability "tor f thfe ''dircnmhtances and ■ requirements. "'He'lSir George uArnfcy) bjad*lw*y* < received the most 'CdrdialJaiiisiance." from the bai* of f Aucklandj a^d he^feft'sureithatraiid would. jboicontinned.; thanked" fiienr most' cordially for, the hearty expretwoni [of< wsfeoi' Mict '««^ra which

had f»ilen from them, at.d for the kind and hospitable- mauner iv which they ha i welcomed him back (Load cheers.) The Vicb.Chairma.n th n proposed the baalth of Mr. Justice J. S. Moore. He spoke iv flattering t*rn» of the efficieat and satisfactory manner in which his Honor had discharged the dunes that had derolred upon him, and the uniform kindness and courtesy that had characterised his bearing t owards th« bar. HU Honor had been animated on all occasion* by a sincere desire for the public weal, and he had on all occasions made hit own prirate convenience and considerations subservient to the discharge of his,omeial duties. His Honor too ha 1 come here under great difficulties, not the least among which iras that ho had succeeded the Chief Justice, whose administration had been characterised by such admirable skill and success. Another difficulty wa* the fact that hisjHonor had come here from Wellington, a place against which Auckland had reason to entertain some prejudice. He (Mr. MacCormick) was sure that the toast whioh he was about to propose needed no recommendation. Th« toast was drunk with all the honour*. His Honor Mr. Justice Moore, in responding to the toast, said he thanked them veiy sincerely for the cordialand flattering manner in which they had done him the honour of drinking, his health, and for the very kind sentiments whioh had beenezpressed by the Vice-Ohairman in proposing bis health. He must say he had experienced considerable "anxiety iv assuming the onerous and responsible duties attaching to the judicial Bench in Auckland, bat if he could only hand orer hi« charge as untarnished and at perfect as when he received itj it would be a source of the sincereat gratification to himself, throughout his future o.reer, His Honor went on to refer in feeling terms to the kindness and courtesy he had always received from the public of Auckland, and the able assistance and support accorded jto him by the bar.; He had, previoukly to coming toj Auckland, spent some little time in Wellington, and, speaking from . experience, he could say r thajtif no good ever came out of Wellington it w*s easily to be' accounted for by tht fact that there was'reilly very little good in it. He hailed with pleasure tHejoppbrtunity of leaving it, andtakiog up his residence in Auckland, where he had always lecorved' the greatest kindness and sympathy. _, . / j Mr. Wbston rose, and said : Mr.- Gillies, Mr. MacCormick, and gentlemen, I will propose a toast, the which, I am sure, you will drink, heartily. Among our guests is a member of th>r English V»r, a gentleman who for many years occupied the position of Attorney-General of this colony. As the first Attorney-General of New Zealand he framed many statutes, which are in daily use, and which in after years will serre as a memento of one who, enjoys the respect not only of the legal profession, but the community at large. After his retirement from that office, and until recently, o.ur learned friend in the Legislative Council of this colony lent his abilities and energy in the preparation or revision of many of the Acts which grace pur statute, books, and which contrast favourably with some of the cumbersome an 1 incomprehensible laws of the present day. Not only does ' our ' guest enjoy the respect of the bar, bat, for his interesting' work ,npon this colony, and the good it has derived therefrom, he is entitled to the thanks of the people generally. Our' esteemed guest Sir George Arney has already referred to] the many. excellent qualities which Mr. Swainson possesses ; and therefore, without 'further preface, I will ask you to drink to " Mr. Swainson, the first Attorney-General of New Zealand." [ The toast .was., received and drunk with acclamation. ' ' , Mr. Swainson: Mr. Gillies, Mr. MaoCormick, and gentlemen, having been legally dead fors'o many yean, I did not come prepared, to receive the honours which you have thought fit to confer upon! me. I feel much pleasure in being present to assist iv welcoming my friend Sir George Arney, and for your kindness I trust you will accept my best thanks. < ; Mr. Wtnk proposed " The health of his Honor Mr. District Judge T. Beckham.'? The toast was'duly honoured. Mr. Beckham said on such an occasion as 'this " brenty was the soul of wit." He felb grateful for the flattering manner in which they had, drunk his health, and he assured them of, "the high,, esteem in, which he held ths oompliment they had paidhim. in inviting him to.be present on so important an occasion. Mr.., Beckham also, referred, in appropriate, terms, to the assistance he bad received from the' baf. Sir Gbopob Ahnit proposed "The" legal profession," w,hioh ( was cordially honoured^ i( j . Mr. H. H. LtrsK. responded. , • The Hon., Wi, Swainson proposed "The ladies,"which was drunk with all the honours. j Mr. J. Shbbhant responded in a felicitous speeqh. His Honor Mr. Justice Moore proposed •• The' Chairman and, Vice Chairman," in a suitable speech. The toast was cordially given and. responded to, and the party broke np shortly after 11 p.m., after spending a very pleasant social evening. „ '