Auckland Special.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 39, 15 February 1901, Page 2

Auckland Special.

OCEAN RACE,

THE NEW JUDGE.

[GISBOItNE TIMES SPECIAL.] Auckland, last night. In the ocean race the American mail steamer accomplished the distance from here to Cape Maria van Diemen in the fast time of 12 hours 40 minutes. The Mararoa took 13 hours 25 minutes on tho trip, so that in the first 220 miles the Sonoma gained three-quarters of an hour on the red funnel liner. Commenting on the appointment to the vacant Judgeship of Mr Theo. Cooper, the Star strongly approves-of his selection, declaring him to be "one of the most eminent' barristers in the colony. His appointment has not in any way come as a surprise, ho being long considered as naturally possessed of that great gift,-a calm, unbiassed judicial mind, coupled with the capacity for getting through'a groat amount of work. His acceptance of the position will be severely felt by tho legal profession, but the loss of the law is* in this case tho distinct acquisition of the Bench. Ho has been recognised as possessing a logical way of placing matters before a Jury, and was particularly successful in cross-examination of witnesses, his calm, easy way of handling them being far more effective than the old system of bullying a witness in obstinacy. Ho affords the rising generation an examplo of what may bo accomplished when determination goes hand in hand with untiring application ; a man of most acute intellect, a sound lawyer, and a gentleman of lxighi character.