PRESENTATION TO M. H. GORDON.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 27, 1 August 1911, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO M. H. GORDON.

THIRTY YEARS COURT BAILIFF.

An interesting ceremony took place at the Magistrate's Court yesterday evenmg. when the Law Society and the 'staff I of the c&urt made presentations to Mr. Henry Gordon, chief bailiff, who is retiring on k superannuation after thirty years' service in this particular position. I Mr., L. 0. Tripp, president of the Law Society, which was well represented, pre1 sented Mr. Gordon with an address and a jJttrse. oi sovereigns. "Mr. Gordon, he said, had a record of which any man should be proud. In the whole thirty years he had never had leave of absence, and he had been away from duty only twice fof short periods in 1894 and 1910, and that through illness. The business of the court had increased wonderfully since 1880, when the' number of plaints issued was 2978, in 1900, 3548, and in 1910 6656. Mr. Gordon and hia assistant (Mr. Pock) had ooped successfully with this work, and, ' in addition, with the 1600 p¥6cedse3 received from oversea courts for service and execution, Tiwy wofe all &orfy to loas Mr Gordon, who had the respect not only of lh& profession but of the public at large. He understood that, the .recipient was leaving shortly on a trib Home. He wished nim a pleasant voyage, and hbped he would return again. (Applause.) On behalf of the Magistrate's Court staff, Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., presented Mr. Gordon with an address, a travelling rug, a case of_ pipes, and a tobacco pouch. The magistrate ; made particular reference to tlie retiring officer's tact,' con= ecientiouanees, and popularity. He had proved a mentor to many, and his- heart was a-s big as nimself. He hoped Mr. Gordon would, long b& spared to enjoy his well-ear&ed pension. Similar sentiment was voiced by Mr W, G, Riddell, S.M., who pointed ■ out the responsibilities of the Court Bailiff— tho last act Of the Magistrate's Court dfama^and the conspicuous success With which Mr. Gordon had carried Out his duties. Thia success was due in a great measure^O this officer's tact and courtesy — qualities he possessed in a marked degreft. Mr. A. H. Holmes. Clerk of Court, paid like tribute to Mf. Gordon's efficiency and popularitj. At this stage the Bench called for threfc cheers for Mf. Gordon-*"Yoit will not bo committed for contempt of court if you do." In reply, Mr. Gordon referred to the important work of, and the assistance ho had received from the Clerk of the Court. He was sorry to have to sever connection with old pah. He thanked the Law Society for its memento, and referred to tho number of members of the society he had seen grow up, Some of those most eminent now h&d coma to him aa mere boys, and when familiarity was established 'he became hot "Mr. Gordon." but tha "General." Each and all, young .and old, of the society's members he would would remind that the surest Way to earn and retain success was to play the game, and fjlay it straight. There must be no offside tactics.