NEW MAGISTRATE WELCOMED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4948, 15 August 1918, Page 6

NEW MAGISTRATE WELCOMED.

INTERESTING FUNCTION YESTERDAY. TRIBUTE TO MR W. A. BARTON, S?.M. A welcome was extended to the newly-appointed Magistrate, Mr J. S. Barton, S.M. by the local society of Accountants, and representatives of public bodies, at the Alexandra Tea Rooms yesterday. Major Beere presided over a most representative attendance. Among those present was Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., the retiring Magistrate. The chairman said that on behalf of the local branch of' the Accountants’ Society they had met to welcome the -new Magistrate. It was a unique position in as much as it was the first occasion on which a duly qualified accountant and solicitor was appointed as Stipendiary Magistrate. The new Magistrate from what he knew of him would not only be a credit to the Society but to the position which he held. Coming from Wellington Mr Barton would appreciate the difficulties of communication in Gisborne. He was sure he was voicing the sentiments of all present when he said they regretted Mr W. A. Barton’s retirement. His decisions and work had met with the approval of all thinking people. Tlie local Society and representatives of public bodies' generally extended a. most cordial welcome to the new Magistrate and hoped his stay would he a long and happy one. Mr H. E. Hill (deputy Mayor), welcomed the new Magistrate on behalf of the Mayor and citizens of the town. In welcoming Dir Barton they also extended to Mr W. A. Barton, their best wishes on his well-earned retirement.

Mr John Townley, on behalf of the Harbor Board, said the policy of the retiring Magistrate had been to do his duty without considering any particular person—be pleased himself and In' hoped the new Magistrate would do likewise. Mr A. T. Col email welcomed the new Magistrate on behalf of the Law Society, who. he said, would assist him to the best of their ability.

Mr Dean .said that Mr Bright the President of tig' Chamber of Commerce was prevented from being present by illness. The retiring Magistrate and the new one were named Barton whilst they formerly bad a Judge Barton in the Native Land Court. In fact, it seemed as if the Bartons had a monopoly of judicial positions in the town. —(Laughter). It was a pity that Mr W. A. Barton had not been retained on the Bench as he was stil] Vigorous and of undoubted ability. Although they had not seen eye to eye with him'on all matters they appreciated his sterling worth. Mr C. H. Bridge, on behalf of the Waikohu County Council, said the fear of the retiring Magistrate made the sittings at To Karnkn unremnnerative.—(Laughter). On behalf of the County Justices he referred to the kindness and courtesy which Mr TV. A. Barton had invariably extended to them and he felt sure that the new Magistrate would he ready to assist them in the same manner. , Apologies for absence were received frqm Messrs G. N. Reynolds (chairman of the Cool: County Council) Vincent Pyke and H M. Porter THE NEW MAGISTRATE’S ADDRESS. Mr J. S. Barton, the new Magistrate. said he could only thank them for their kindness in snatching time from a busy afternoon to welcome him to Gisborne. He appreciated their kindly words and only hoped to be able to deserve them. There was one thing which ho was pleased to note and that was that Gisborne citizens spoke well of their own town. He had no time for the man, who says “You have come to a pretty hole.” It was belief in one’s town that made for civic progress. It brought that feeling of civic pride whicli was one of the host- elements in public life. Tie believed there vas a great future before Gisborne. He had been told that he would have a deal of difficulty in landing but he had not experienced the difficulty. He had found through life—and lie was not an " old , manthat the difficulties which the “ other fellow ” warned one against did not eventuate. Ihe most difficult bridges were those they were never required to cross. He was very pleased to meet them and have an opportunity of receiving their kind words of welcome and ho assured them that he realised to the full the honor that had been done him in appointing him to the position of Stipendiary Magistrate at Gisborne. He felt both the ho iter and the responsibility. }J ‘♦ln undertaking my duties, ne said, “I have set before myself a very high standard. How high -the standard I have set will be apparent when I say I shall try to maintain the name of Barton in the position it now stands.’’ —(Loud applause). He had heard a great deal about Mr AY. A Barton, though he had only the pleasure of knowing him personally for a few days. The Bartons, added the speaker with a smile, were a kind of mutual admiration society and he thought that when lie wroteto his friends he could say that m the retiring Magistrate he had met a genuine Barton. He was pleased to meet members of the Society of Accountants.. He had been in New Zealand for sixteen years and had taken a great interest in accountancy. The . present high position of the Society of Accountants' was due to the hard work of a few men and ho was proud to have taken some part in the work. The profession of accountancy was on a good footing and it was for the accountants of to-day and of the coming generation to build well on the foundations that had been laid. They now had the legal standing of a profession and it was for them to build around the traditions of the other learned professions. “Nobility bad its obligations,” and there were deep obligations attached to accountancy in respect to the traditions that is attached to the profession. The new Magistrate said that the legal profession in Wellington were gentlemanly in business. and that was the standing the Society of Accountants had to set before, them, as he had informed the Wellington branch.

He believed the future of accountancy in Gisborne was in good hands and would be well maintained. He thought Gisborne was a beautiful place; there was an air of prosperity and progress and he was going to like the town. He was going to follow the very excellent advice of Mr Townlev and nlease himself. The Ma gistracy was the highest office,' in his opinion, to which a, man‘could be called. The sense of responsibility was apt to bumble a man when bo considered that on his judgment depended such grave issues. He thanked them very heartily for their reception. MR AA T . A. BARTON’S ADDRESS. Mr AV. A. Barton said that he thanked them for giving him an opportunity of being present to welcome his namesake and successor. His successor, as they were aware, was an accountant —and he himself was not.- He was satisfied that *his friend’s knowledge, of accountancy would greatly assist Iv.m in* his

Magisterial duties. When he (the speaker), entered upon his. duties eighteen years ago he .promised to perform them without fear, favour, affection malice or ill will. He had done that—(Applause). He had no doubt made mistakes as better men had done hut he had done his best for them all. He had been in the Government service for nearly 51 years.—(Loud applause). He started as a cadet at Hokitika and right throughout had had a pleasant time.The staff with whom he had worked had never had friction of any kind and he had to thank them very much for what they had done and for the loyal manner in which they had worked. He heartily welcomed Mi Barton and, trusted that he would have a long and successful career. —(Loud applause).