THE ARBITRATION COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13812, 28 January 1907, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE ARBITRATION COURT.

MR W. A. SIM ACCEPTS THE JUDGESHIP. WELLINGTON, January 1C As was predicted in jour columns s»j»e months ago, Mr W. A. Sim, barrister (of Dunedin), has been-appointed judge of the Arbitration Court. The act passed by Parliament last jear makes provision for a permanent registrar, and it is understood that. Mr W. A. Hawkins, deputy-registrar of tho Supreme Court hero, will be offered the position. Mr Hawkins has bcon clerk of awards under tho act for some years, and -s a competent man to fill the new position. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Mr William Alexander Sim is a. member of tho legal firm of Mondy, Sim, end Stephens, of Dunedin, formerly Stout, Mondy, and Sim. He is a native of the North Island of New Zealand, and went through his articles in Wanganui. vMr Sim passed his legal examination with great credit before he wae 21 years of age, rnd in consequence had to wait some time before he could be admitted to the Bar. A short time after his admission as a solicitor of tho Supreme Court he went to Duncdiu, where Iμ joined the firm cf Messrs G. a.nd J. A. Cook, and finally he throw in his lot with Messrs Sievwright and Stout (now Sir Robert Stout, Chief Juslice). During his early days in the south Mr Sim studied at the OfcußO University under Dr MacGregor. Mr Sim was a partner in the firm of Stout and Mondy some years before Sir Robert came to Wellington, and when the latter finally settled there Mr Sim took over his partner's court practice, and has for many years been recognised m one of the leaders of the Bar in the capital city of Otago. For some time he acted as chairman of the Conciliation Board in Dunedin, the duties of which he carried out with the greatest industry and highest satisfaction to all parties, but pressure of professional work made it necessary for him to retire from this position. Mr Sim is a scholar of great ability and a man of high literary attainments. One of his brothers is Judge Sim of the Nntivc Land Court, and another is a partner in Hin firm of Messrs Johnston and Sim, of Palnierston North. Mr Sim was nia-rnod in 1880 to Miss Vronoes M. Waiters, of Melbourne, a daughter of the kte Joseph Walters, one. of the early settlers in Victoria. Mr Sim'e father (Mr P. L. Sim) died in 1897. His mother :e still alive, and resides in Palnierslon North. CONGRATULATIONS. On the 10th Mr J. W. Ilcnton. president of tho Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, telegraphed to Mr Justice Sim as follows: "On behalf of Chamber of Commerce, heartily congratulate you on appointment. , '