BENCH AND BAR

Evening Star, Issue 17921, 17 March 1922, Page 6

BENCH AND BAR

NEW MAGISTRATE WELCOMED

A largo gathering of members of the local legal profession attended at tho sitting of the City Bolico Court this morning to extend a welcome to Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., who tat in Dunedin for tho first lime to-day. Mr J. C. Stephens (president of the Law Society) said it was his privilege, on behalf of the legal profession, to welcome Mr Bundle to this city in his official capacity. He was to succeed a very able and experienced magistrate, and it was a distinct compliment to Mr Bundle to have succeeded him. Mr Bundle was not a stranger to them, and there was possibly a distinct advantage in that, as ho would bo able to estimate at its true value iho “ bluff ” that might bo put up by some other members of tho profession.' It was true that the administration of justice depended to a largo extent upon the mutual confidence between Bench and Bar. Daring his career the members of the profession would give him all tire assistance in their power. In conclusion, Mr Stephens wished His Worship a happy and successful career in. Dunedin.

Mr Bundle, in reply, said he thanked them extremely for tire welcome which they had extended to him. It was certainly very pleasant to him to look around and sea so many well-known faces—faces of men whom he had tho privilege of calling friends. While it was a privilege to bo in one’s native town—for ho commenced practice here—it, was to a certain extent a disadvantage, for ono was more open to criticism than a stranger would be. That, however, was something he would have to put up with. He had had a, very brief magisterial experience, but he had had the privilege of being in all the main courts in Now Zealand. Certainly. from his experience of the Bar and the profession in Dunedin, they ranked as high as in any other part of the Dominion. He fell _ sure that tho happy relations that had existed at all limes hero between the. Bench and the Bar would continue. He saw no reason why they should not. Ho thanked them very much indeed for their welcome.