SIR R. STOUT.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1925, Page 1

SIR R. STOUT.

EM) OF Ills CAREER. FAR E\VFLEET) 1?V HA R. [by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, Dec. 11. After 27 years as Chief .1 list ice of the Dominion. Sir Robert Stout took his place- on the Beach at the Supremo Court this morning for the lnsl time in Auckland. The courtroom was crowded with members of the legal profession, who had come to bid farewell to their Chief. Mr A. 11. Johnstone (President of the Auckland I,aw Society) said it was the wish of the large assemblage of legal practitioners present, the largest that had ever gathered in New Zealand. to express regret that 11 is Honor sat to-day for the last time in the Auckland Supreme Court, and would shortly lie relinquishing the position <;f Chief Justice. Although there was always an element of sadness in a leave taking, and in the present ease most of them had known no other Chid

Justice, the sadness of the occasion was somewhat mitigated when it. was recognised lmw full and complete his life work had been. For more than fifty years ho had been a distinguished citizen of the Dominion, and had held unchallenged the position of its first citizen. It was asked that His Honor set down his recollections of the men and things lie had come in contact with during the last fitly years. Ilis had been a wonderful record of public service, and they bad been referred to so much that it was not, for hint (flic speaker) to enumerate them. He took into his retirement the goodwill and appreciation of every member of the liar, and the hope that the eventide of life would long be spared to enjoy his well-earned rest. Sir Robert Stout, who was visibly moved, said ho felt much the great kindness that had prompted the remarks. He would like to say a feu words, especially to the younger members of the Bar. If they wished to succeed in their profession, they would have to study with much care. His Honor brieflly sketched his life work, and mentioned that lie commenced working at the age of 12 years, and had been 70 years at work. He had taken pleasure in his profession, and it the younger members of the Bar spent their time in the study of law, the.t would find it very interesting, and ol great use in life. He had always felt that the position ho held was one ol the highest that could l>e given, and he thought the basis of civilisation was to SCO that justice was done. If it were not done, their civilisation would fail. He admitted he had made many mistakes, hut he had always tried to do what he though was right. Other civilisations had passed away, and he believed that such was because justice had not been done. To-day they wore faced with a number of great problems and the growth in many countries ot poor people intellectually. There were those who were found in the prisons, and nearly one-third of the piisonois were mentally defective. He did not pretend to say he knew what the remedv was to he. They must keep their eves open, and fight' for the preservation of justice. There were some persons who could not do right, and lie believed that the great hope of the woilcl lay in justice. The world was not to jc saved bv the sword. , In closing. Sir Robert Stout stated he had received infinite kindness from the members of the Bar, and lie could never forget that. Tt was lus hope that thev would lie the same to his successor.' “This is the end of mv career. 1 thank you all.”