SIR FRANCIS BELL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 91, 17 March 1936, Page 6

SIR FRANCIS BELL.

HIGH TRIBUTES FROAI BENCH AND BAR. Per Press Association. AA ELLINGTON, Alarcli 16. Tributes to the memory of Sir l 1 rancis BelT were voiced by speakers at a large gathering of Bench and Bar in the Supreme Court this afternoon. The . Chief Justice (Sir Alichael Alyers) presided and there was a notable gathering of the legal profession. The Attorney-General (Hon. H. G. R. Alason), who was making his first public appearance in an official capacity, said that the legal profession always felt that the standard of honour was in safe keeping in the hands of Sir Francis Bell, who had rendered signal service to his country and whose devotion to the service of his fellows extended far beyond an interest in professional activities. All - H. F. O’Leary, president of the New Zealand Law -Society, and Air David Perry, president of the AA’ellington District Law Society, also paid an eloquent tribute to the life and character of one who always would be an inspiration and guide to those whom he had delighted to call his brothers of the Bar. The Chief Justice said there was no position that Sir Francis Bell had occupied that he did not adorn. His merits were known and recognised everywhere, and his ability as a statesman ancl draughtsman was recognised in the councils of the league of Nations. He had performed a most valuable service for his sovereign, his country and the Empire, and had left an imperishable name in our country's history. The Chief Justice concluded: “I charge you to cherish the memory of our departed friend and leader as yon mourn Ids loss. A’ou will never look upoivhis like again.”

A competition established among school children by the AV-hangarei Horticultural Society for the collection of white butterflies has ' resulted in very satisfactory numbers of these pests being destroyed. Two children have each handed in 7000, three others 5000, and numerous others between 1000 and 2000.