MR JUSTICE ADAMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22023, 4 August 1933, Page 13

MR JUSTICE ADAMS

RETIREMENT FROM BENCH FAREWELL TRIBUTES PAID After filling the position of resident judge in Christchurch for 12 years, Mr Justice Adams has retired from the Supreme Court Bench, and in order i:<) bid him farewell a large gathering was held in the Law Courts building iu Christchurch on Wednesday. The attendance (says the Press) was fully representative of those whose work brought them in touch with the court. A portrait of his Honor, painted by Mr A. F. Nicoll, was unveiled by Mr R. Twyneham, president of the Canterbury District Law Society, and will hang in the court in company with that of Mr Justice Denuiston. a former resident judge iu Christchurch.

Those present included members of the Christchurch Bar, Mr H. A. Young, S.M., and Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., Messrs F. B. and H. S. Adams (sons of Mr Justice Adams, representing the Otago Law Society), Messrs W. F. Forrester and J. N. Smith (Dunedin), Superintendent D. .1. Cummings, Inspector A. Cameron, and Sub-inspector G. B. Edwards (representing the police), Mr A. R. Jordan (Public Trustee), Mr J. A. Wicks (representing the Canterbury College Law Students’ Society, of which Mr Justice Adams is patron), and officers and members of the Canterbury Justices of the Peace Association.

MR TWYNBHAM’S REMARKS,

“My task,” said Mr Twyncham, “is difficult for two reasons: first, because upon me lies the onus of saying the tilings that wo have often wanted to say and have never dared, and, second, because ‘ good-bye ’ is such a painfully final word to utter. However, the pain is alleviated to some extent by the pleasure of being able to tell your Honor of the regard and affection which wc feel towards you.” Mr Twyncham said that his Honor Lad won the regard of the members of the Bar because they had always been able to go to him with their troubles, and none of them had been turned away. He had gained their affection, too, by the way in which lie had made allowances for the youth, inexperience, or ignorance of the lawyers who had practised under him.

“ Now,” continued Mr Twyncham, “ 1 come to that part of my duty which I face with sincere regret—to say goodbye to your Honor as a judge of the Supreme Court. We want you to feel that our regret comes, not only from our lips, but from our hearts. You go from us without leaving an enemy behind you. If we have ever been chastised, we know the fault was ours. Being human, you have made mistakes, but the few you have made were quickly forgotten and forgiven. You leave us with the satisfaction of knowing that in your hands the highest traditions associated with the New Zealand Judiciary have been fully upheld. We wisli you peace and happiness in your years of leisure, and in conclusion I would say that although we have always addressed you as ‘your Honor,’ we have always felt that you were ‘our learned friend.’” Mr Twyncham then unveiled the portrait. HIS HONOR’S REPLY. Mr Justice Adams, in reply, said ho had listened to Mr Twynoham’s remarks with interest, surprise, and pleasure, hut found himself unable to believe that he had done anything to merit Hie kind things that he had said. “It is, however,” he said, “ a great satisfaction to know that throughout the long period of about 12 years during which I have presided in this court, the relations between Bench and Bar have been such ns to permit the business of the court to proceed without friction and in an atmosphere favourable to the administration of justice. “ I wish, however, to say that this happy result has been, and in the very nature of things must, always be, largely brought about by the co-operation of judge and counsel engaged in the cases which came before the court, and especially the example of experienced counsel, who were frequently engaged in the more important eases. I am glad, therefore, to take this opportunity of saying that I have at all times re- I

ceived most valuable assistance from counsel, which has greatly lielped me in the administration of justice, and in arriving at my decision in each case after argument. Without this assistance the work of a judge would be very much more arduous and uncertain.

“Mr Twynchan’ has been good enough to say that as occasion has arisen I have been of some assistance to practitioners in their work out of court. This is no doubt true of every judge. Barristers and solicitors are officers of the court, with great privileges and duties, and the court looks to them for nil th.e assistance they can give. It is a pleasure to the judge to assist counsel in every proper way. Whatever I may have done in the way of assistance I have regarded both as a pleasure and a duty. “ I appreciate beyond words the honour which the Canterbury Law' Society lias conferred upon me in having my portrait painted by Mr Nieoll and placed in the court. It is a most graceful and enduring reminder of the esteem and kindness which you have expressed and always shown towards me. 1 retire from the Bench with the happy knowledge that the members of the Canterbury Law Society are my personal friends.”

APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 3. The Government is considering the appointment of a successor to Mr Justice Adams, and an early announcement is expected.