VALEDICTORY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 10 May 1921, Page 7

VALEDICTORY

_♦—. FAREWELL TO MR. BAILEY,. S.M

This morning in the courthouse, before the sitting of the Court, there was a large and representative gathering of the members of the legal profession to say goodbye to Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, who for some time past has been magistrate in charge of the Taranaki district.

On behalf of the Hawera Law Society, Mr. 6. H. Ryan, president,, referred to the impending departure of his Worship,, and desired to express to him the appreciation felt by all of his work in Hawera. The relations between Bench and Bar had always been most cordial. They had always appreciated the kindness, sympathy, and consideration shown to them. The work, they realised, had been heavy, as there were a number of courts between New Plymouth and Hawera \ but though Mr. Bailey had had to work at high pressure, he had. always done his work expeditiously, so that the courts were never congested. They had several times urged the appointment of a resident magistrate, and assured his Worship that this was-no reflection on him, besause his work had always been kept up to date, and judgments had been given promptly, honestly, and carefully considered. On behalf of the Bar he wished his Worship happiness and prosperity in the future. Sergeant Henry,' on behalf of the police, thanked his Worship for his kindness in court work, and for the way he had put himself out to help them in his capacity as coroner. He endorsed the wish of the Bar for his Worship's success in his new sphere of work.

Mr. Bailey thanked Mr. Ryan, Sergeant Henry, and the members of the Bar for their, kind and,thoughtful remarks. He had been but a short time on this circuit, but it had been strenuous. He enjoyed coming^ to Hawera, where he had made many friendships which would last all his life. He had tried in his work to be courteous, and always to be just and impartial, and if his decisions had given satisfaction to the members of the Bar and to the public liis object had been achieved. He was happy to say that the relations with the Bar had always been cordial. He felt that the constant travelling made the work strenuous, for it allowed little time in • which to consider decisions that had to be reserved. He agreed with Mr. Ryan that the time had come for Hawera to have a resident magistrate, because the work had increased and was likely to grow still more. He acknowledged the good work done by the police, who always tried to do their best to assist the Court. He had to thank the clerk of the Court, Mr. Freeman, for-the care and expedition shown in his work. It was of very great assistance, and enabled the work to be put" through quickly and well. He "|ilso acknowledged the assistance given by the press in the reporting of cases brought before the Court which had always been done well. In conclusion, he said he was sorry to sever his connection with the district, but naturally the call of a bigger town, which was" now ; the fifth in the Dominion, had attracted him. He hoped that in the future he would still see something of the many friends he had made in Taranaki.