A LEGAL GATHERING

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1507, 17 January 1901, Page 57

A LEGAL GATHERING

PRESENTATION TO MR- W. S. REID. There was a large attendance of barristers and solicitors practising in the city of Wellington in the- Chamber room of the Supreme Court on the 20th instant, the occasion hehn g the presentation oi an illuminated address to Mr Walter Scott Heidi on his retirement from the position of Solicitor-General. Mr J. P. Campbell, • president- of the Wellington District Law Society, occupied the chair. Mr Campbell, in opening the proceed, ings, said in making the presentation he was acting on behalf of the legal profession practising in the city of Wellington. The idea was first suggested by the council of the Law Society, but had at once been taken up by the profession as a body with the utmost cordiality. Many prominent members of the profession outside Wellington had! expressed a desire to sign the presentation, but it had been felt that it would be more appropriate to confine the signatures to Wellington practitioners. The address had l been signed with eagerness and with many expressions oi kindly feeling towards the retired Solicitor-General. Mr Campbell then read the illuminated address, a fine piece of .workmanship con. tained in a magnificent specimen of binding. The following is the text of the address : To Walter Scott Reid, Esq. D ear Sir, —We the undersigned barristers and so-, licitors practising in the city of Wellington at the time of your retirement from the position of Solicitor-General for the colony of New Zealand; desire to express to yen our appreciation of the many eminent services you have rendered to the colony and the legal profession during your occupancy of the high office which you have just vacated after a period of twenty-five years’ service. During your long term of office you have had many difficult- and momeii. tons questions- to deal with which evinced your firm grasp of legal principles, as well as your profound knowledge of constitutional law. The colony is to be congratulated on having had as its chief law officer one who combined in such an eminent, degree the qualities- required' in the high and onerous position which you have occupied with, such credit to yourself and advantage to- the colony. You have for many years taken a- keen interest in all matters relating to the wella-re of the legal profession, and. have evidenced such interest by acting on the councils- of the New Zealand and Wei-

lington District Law Societies, froiai whose deliberations- you will be much missed. To those members of the legal profession with whom. you. have been, brought, into contact you have shown unfailing courtesy and consideration, while to all of us yen have exhibited an example of high principle, unswerving devotion to duty, an-cl power of work which, coupled with, your kindliness of manner, have earned you the respect- and esteem of every member of the profession. Wishing yew many years of happiness after your long and amua us labour#*, we beg to subscribe ourselves- *,Kero follow sixty signatures.) Mr Travers, referring to his long acquaintance with Mr Jrleid, said he had a full knowledge oi the work that- gentleman. had done, am -he value and extent of his services. The- colony had had in him a servant whom it- could not honour too much. The speaker went on to describe the difficulties wh.cn surrounded the office of F:licitor-Genera]., and the obstacles wjcNh were constantly being placed in his way. He praised the indomitable patience and unfailing courtesy Mr Reid had always shown —a patience and courtesy v-,hlch made him an object of admiration, to all who had known him as he (the speaker) had demo. He wishes Mr Reid Ml happiness in his retirement. Mr H. D. Beil, in a few appreciative remarks, referred to the time when Mr Reid declined the honour of a- Supreme Court Judgeship, for which his abilities so eminently fitted him. It was not given to all to retire followed, as Mr Reid was. by the respect and affection of all who had come in contact with him. in the discharge of his duties. Mr Reid, in reply, said it was rdmoytwith embarrassment he rose to return his thanks. . The kindly words he had listened' to were mere than he deserved. Referring to his long career in fro Civil Service, he had, he said, sunk tiro lawyer in the official. That had perha-pa tended to isolates him. He spoke with feeling of the time Then he commenced practice in the city—in 1865—the associations of those times, and the few that were left. Wellington, he said, was now the recognised legal centre of the colony, and he hoped the time would come when the Law Society would take a more exalted position that it at- present occupied. He concluded by addressing a few words of kindly encouragement to the younger members of the profession present, by committing his friend and successor, Dr Fitchett, to their good office.?, and thanking them! for their attendance and such cordial expressions, of goodwill. Prolonged applause.)