NEW "SILK"

Evening Post, Issue 67, 17 September 1934, Page 10

NEW "SILK"

COURT CEREMONY

MR. CORNISH'S APPOINTMENT

GATHERING OF BAB

With due formality and before a largo and representative gathering of the legal profession in Wellington, the Solicitor-General (Mr. 11. 11. Cornish) took the declaration this morning pertaining to the title of a King's Coun|sel.< The ceremony lasted only a short time and was held in the main courtroom of the Supremo Court building prior to the fixtures being made for the hearing of cases by the Court of Appeal and Pull Court.

There were five- Judges on the Bench —the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers),'Mr. Justice Herdman, Mr. Justice Blair, Mr. Justice Kennedy, and Mr. Justice Fair.

The presence of so largo a gathering of the Bar was a five tribute to Mr. Cornish. There were also a number of spectators in the public galleries, including a number of women. Among others present were Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., and Mr. B. L. Dallard, Under-Secretary of the Justice Department.

. As their Honours entered the courtroom to the injunction of "Silence for their Honours the King's Judges" from the Court Crier, the gathering rose and remained standing until the five Judges were seated on the Bench.

. Mr. Cornish was seated in the second row of benches on the floor of the court, and alongside him were men who have been associated with him in many a case. Directly in front of Mr. Cornish, at the first bench, were three King's Counsel—the Rt. Hon. Sir Francis Bell, Mr. J. B. Callan, and Mr. C. H. Weston.

■ Addressing Mr. Cornish, the Chief Justice said: "Mr. Cornish, the Gov-ernor-General in Council having been pleased to appoint you one of his Majesty's counsel learned in the law, '-will" you please make the customary declaration?"

■ Mr. Cornish then read the declaration, the text of which appeared in "The Post" on Saturday, by which he promised to fulfil certain duties and obligations. Having read the declaration he signed it, and was then invited by the Chief Justice to take his seat "within the Bar." . ■

Mr. Cornish went forward to the front bench, and, standing alongside the Rt. Hon. Sir Francis Bell, he bowed first tothe Bench, then, .turning, to the three King's Counsel associated with hiiu, and finally to the other members of the Bar present, who rose in a body and returned the bow..

■ "Do you move, Mr. Cornish?" the Chief Justice then' asked.

"If your Honour pleases,".'replied Mr. Cornish.

The "new silk" sat down, and the ceremony was over, the Court proceeding to the business of the Court of Appeal and the Full Court.