THE TRANSFER OF MR R. S. HAWKINS, S.M.

Otago Witness, Issue 2360, 18 May 1899, Page 22

THE TRANSFER OF MR R. S. HAWKINS, S.M.

At an interval in the court proceedings at Milton on Monday, Mr R. S. Hawkins, addressing the members of the Bar, stated that as that was_ the last occasion upon which he would preside* at that court, he would take > the opportunity of bidding the members of the profession farewell. In doing so he wished to express his thanks for the kindness andconsideration which had always been extended towards him by .the members of the Bar of that district, and also by those members of the profession who from time to time' had visited it. It was gratifying to think that during the whole period of his office everything had gone on smoothly. As he would not have an opportunity of mcc.ting the members of the legal profession in Dunedin, he would like to express through Mr Hanlon his appreciation of the kindness and courtesy that they had ever extended towards him. Mr Donald Reid said that, speaking for himself and his Balclutha confreres, he might say that the news of Mr Hawkins's .transfer had been received with very great regret. His Worship's administration had always been a sourco of satisfaction, not only to the profession, but to^-the public generally, and it was a- strong testimony in favour of the appointment of lawyers to magisterial positions. It was well known that the decisions' of MiHawkins had always been received with the feeling that 'the decision was the". right one, and it was to be regretted that he was being - transferred to a place where the public would practically lose fne,_yalue of the services of such a magistrate.

Mr Haggitt also, made a few-remarks by \fa.y of farewell, and in doing so he took "occasion lo thank Mr Hawkins for the consideration he always manifested towards the younger practitioners

Mr Hanlon endorsed what his learned friend Mr Reid had said. As a member of the Dunedin Bar he had practised before his Worship in the countri districts to some considerable extent, and accordingly was in a position' to testify to the kindness and assistance which he had "always given the members of the profession. He agreed with Mr Reid as to the desirability of gentlemen trained to the law being selected for the jiositions of magistrate. Hi.3 Worship's performance of his duties afforded an example of what that meant, not only to the profession, but to the public generally. He wotild take the earliest j>pportunity of conveying to his brother practitioners in Dunediri the message his Worship had charged him to deliver.

His Worship, in reply, said that he regretted having to leave the district, but the authorities had ordered it, and he must obey. One could not please everybody. It was the duty of a judge not to please everybody, but to give his decision for or against one side. He wished to say, however, he had received every consideration from all classes of the community, and* he felt in leaving the place that he left behind a number of people who had ever expressed themselves very kindly towards him.