THE LAW SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15830, 29 January 1915, Page 3

THE LAW SOCIETY.

AUCKLAND DISTRICT.

REVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR.

The annual meeting of the Auckland District Law Society was held yesterday, when Dr. H. Dean Bamford presided.

"The council has investigated numerous complaints against members of the profession.' stated the report. "Most of these were trivial and without foundation ; only one, in the opinion of the council, disclosed sufficient facts to warrant action being taken. In this case the solicitor proceeded against was found guilty of misconduct, and the Court ordered his name to be struck off the roll. The number of solicitors practising during the year has increased to 242, while 102 barristers took out certificates. These figures show an increase of 17 in the number of solicitors, and an increase of 14 in the number of barristers. The council having made strong representations to the Minister for Deeds and Stamps regarding the urgent necessity of providing a new building, or, in the alternative, of improving the ac-, conrmodation in the present Land Transfer and Deeds Registry Offices, tho Government is now having the old Magistrate's Court building altered to suit present requirements. It is understood that new premises will bo provided in the near future. The council views with satisfaction the fact that a Supreme Court Judge is now resident in the Auckland judicial district. During the year 11 barristers and 21 solicitors were admitted. The council submitted to the councils of the other district law societies the question of establishing a cruarantee fund in lieu of an annual audit. The suggestion has beAl favourably received by most, of the law societies, and the matter was subsequently referred to tho council of the New Zealand Law Society for consideration, but that body, after discussion, decided to postpone further consideration of the matter until after June, 1915, by which time an audit will have taken place and members of the council will be in a better position to express an opinion upon the proposal of this council. ■ A large photograph, suitably framed, of the late Mr. Samnel Jackson, was presented to the library by his son, Mr. Thornton Jackson. The council contributed out of the funds of the society one hundred guineas to each of the patriotic and Belgian funds. The. council is pleased to be able to record the fact that many practitioners and clerks have volunteered for service with the expeditionary force, while others are doing veiy valuable work in connection with local defence."

The chairman stated that the funds of the society *ere in a highly satisfactory position. ' The balance carried forward from last vear was £2817 and it. now stood at £3006.

Mr. W. J. Napier -wanted to know whether the money should be kept for future generations, or what was to he done with it. ' *

The chairman said the matter had not been fully considered, but the council .could look into it. One suggestion was that some scholarship should be provided. Demand* fir country libraries would grow. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

Officers were elected as under :—President. Dr. Bamford ; vice-president. Mr. 11. McVeatrh; treasurer. Mr. T. X. Baxter ; council, Messrs. W. P. Endean, S. Hesketh, H. P. Richmond. .7. W. Stewart, C. .7. Tunks. and M. McGregor; two delegates to New Zealand Law Societv, Dr. Bamford and Mr. Richmond.

Mr. W. J. Napier moved: "That this meeting protests against the special class tax of 10s per annum recently imposed by the Legislature upon legal practitioners in order to provide a Judge's librarv in Wellington, and expresses the opinion "that the provision of a library for the Dominion's judicial officers is a matter of concern to the general public, and the necessary funds should be supplied from the National Exchequer/'

After a lengthy discussion the matter was referred to the council for consideration.