VALEDICTORY

Grey River Argus, 12 June 1935, Page 7

VALEDICTORY

MB L. W. LOUISSON BABEWELLED.

Mr L. W. Louisson. Registrar of the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth for the past eight years, who leaves shortly on transfer to a similar position at New Plymouth was farewe led l>v members of the West. Coast Justice's of the Peace Association, and mem hers of the legal fraternity a.f the Greymouth Courthouse yesterday afternoon. Mr 11. Morgan, S.M., President of the Justices of the Peace Association, presided. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Joseph Taylor. D. Tennent, W. E. Reynolds, and M. J. Fogarty, who al’ expressed their appreciation of Mr Louisson’s generous help, and wished him and his family every success. The President said -that all regretted having to farewell a most efficient and obliging officer. who was Clerk of the Court and Registrar of the Supreme Court. Tlis association with Mr Louisson had been long enough .to enable him to form a high opinion of his efficiency in the offices he held. He had come in touch almost daily with Mr Louisson, and he wan/ied to place on record his appreciation of Mr Louisson’s ’oyalty of ficienev and assistance. He regretted Mr Louisson’s departure, but rejoiced with him in this very well deserved promotion which had come hi- - way, and he joined in -wishing Mr Louisson end his wife and family every success •n the future.

Mr P. J. McLean, as a. senior member of the Justices’ Association, said they had all appreciated ‘he assistance given them by Mr Louisson o n various occasions.

His Worship the Mayor. M r W. -Meldrum, said that he was not surprised at the words of praise used by Mr Morgan in reference to Mr Louisson. He (Mr Meldrum', was on the Bench when Mr Louisson came here to take up his present position, and also when he took up the posViion previously at Hokitika. His re'ations with Mr Louisson had always been pleasant, ami he had appreciated his help, and his able discharge of the work under his particular control. He could say they had never had a word of friction, and that was saying a good deal. Perhaps there were rimes when the Magistrate was short tern pored, or hi s liver was no! quite right but they had never had any friction. Ho knew that one special reason why Mr Louisson wished to leave the Wes’ Coast was that the climate was detrimental to one of his children. Tn removing to another part, however he ‘was also getting the promotion fie deserved. It had always been hard to QC't Mr T.ouisson away from work on the half-holiday. On one occasion he had shared the honour with Mr Louisson When he hooked his fifrst. fish, which got into the rapids ami Hie regret felt was also his (Mr MeMrum’s) when the fish got way. Mr 1 opisson could now shew h'm manv points in fishing. He wished to express his own persona] regret at Mr Louisson’s departure, but at the same tunc wished to congratulate him on his well deserved promotion.

Mr J. O’Brien. M.P.. said that, a’- ’ hough his duties probably did not bring him into such close contact with Mr Louisson as many other Justices, he knew that Mr T.ouisson’s services were appreciated by all those doing business at the Court. He also knew 'hat Mr Lomsson was of a sympa’he.ic natn r e and was ready to he’p those in difficulties when- practicable. On the West Coas,'* they a 1! liked tn see those in need of help given assis'.•ince. Tt was a wel’ known saying that if a West Coaster gnt : n’o difficulties, all would run to help him. Mr T.ouisson was going to a better climate, whilst he was also receiving nromc/ion. and he hoped that Mr Louisson with his wife and family. '\ould have a happy future, and that ■n taking un h’s promotion, he ”-nul ' go far in the service. Tie concluded bv expressing appreciation, for all that Mr Louisson had done fo- them. Mr F. A. Kitchingham. on beh- If of the legal profession, said that hi acquaintance with Mr Louisson went back to the days prior to the war. and some years ago when he heard Mr Louisson was to be transferred back here as head of the staff, thev wero all particularly p’e?used and confident of his work. Their relations required to be of a cordial nature, and members of the profession could thank Mr Louisson for Ihe assistance he had given them in helping them o get their work through without delay or hindrance. He congratulated Mr Louisson on his promotion, feeling sure that it would not be the last end he hoped that Mr Louisson and his wife and family wou’d all benefit by the change. Mr McLean moved that the Asso- • ation place on record its appreciation of Jie services of Mr Louisson in his official capacity, and also in his private life, and at the same time express regret at the departure tof Mr Louisson.

The motion wa s seconded by Mr F W. Shallcrass and carried unanimous

The President said he had a happy duty to perform, on behalf of the Justices of the Peace Association and that was to ask Mr Louisson to accept a set of fishing tackle as a tangible token of their appreciation and goodwill towards him. They trusted that when he was seeking fish in the waters of the Taranaki, he would have pleasant memories of the Justices on the West Coast.

Mr Louisson, in reply, said it was hard, after working in a town for a number of years to go away. He had come here in 1911. and worked for two and a-ha'f years under Mr Beniamin Harper, who wa< the finest Clerk he had worked under, and who had displayed the greatest tact, and provided a fine training for junior officers. He had never attained to the high standard of Mr Harper but. had tried to do so. Coming back eight years ago, he had been pleased to be again associated, with, old friends. Ho was pleased to be going to New Plymouth, but he would have I'ked to have been taking some of the Justices with him. and also two of three Magistrates he had worked under. He thanked members for their kind remarks regarding himself and his wife. The main reason why he was going away was on account of his little girl’s health. Mr Ki/lehingham, on beha’f of the Law Society, said ho wished to make a presentation to Mr Louisson of a wal'et of notes, with which he might purchase something tangible for himself or Mrs Louisson.

Mr Louisson. in acknowledging tTie gift, said that with regard 'fo members of the legal profession and Jus-

tices and himself, it. was a case of “fifty-fifty ” and he had onlv done his best. He thought membo’-s of 'he legal profession had helped him considerably and he wished to thank them very much.