SIR JOSHUA WILLIAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3111, 29 October 1913, Page 48

SIR JOSHUA WILLIAMS.

APPOINTMENT TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL.

COMPLIMENTARY RESOLUTIONS.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted at a meeting of the University Council, held on 21st inst., relative to the elevation of Sir Joshua Williams: —‘‘ Tijo Council of the Otago University desires to congratulate the R : ght Hon. Sir J. S. Williams on the honour bestowed upon him by his Majesty the King, by his appointment to the Privy Council, and to a seat on the Judicial Committee of that body. For 32 years Sir Joshua Williams was a member of this council, and for 30 years held the position of Vice-chancellor or Chancellor of tho University. During these long years he did much by his kind and wise guidance to strengthen the work of tho University, and at the same time won for himself the esteem of every member of the council and the teaching staff. No section of the people can hail with greater pleasure the well-earned honour now conferred upon our late chancellor than the members of this council, the teachers of the University, and the .whole body of its students. We trust that Sir Joshua may be long spared to serve our King and country in the larger sphere of service to which he is now called with that same fidelity which has won for him the admiration of the people of this dominion.”

At the fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin Drainage Board on the 21st inst. Mr Douglas moved—“ That this meeting expresses its satisfaction and congratulates the Right Hon. Sir Joshua Strange Wil'iams on his elevation to the Privy Council.” —Mr Burnett, in seconding the motion, said ho only regretted that this dominion was to lose Sir Joshua’s services. He said: “There are few men of his intellectual power and undoubted probity in tho dom nion.”—l he motion was carried unanimously. The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr W. Downio Stewart) on the 21st telegraphed to Sir Joshua Williams as follows: —“ On behalf of the citizens of Dunedin, allow me to offer you their congratulations and their appreciation of the honour conferred on, you by your appointment as one of his Majesty’s Privy Councillors.”

HONOURED IN WELLINGTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 22,

There was a notable array of legal talent in the Supreme Court this morning to do honour to the Right Hon. Sir Joshua Williams, Senior Puisne Judge gf thg New Zealand Court, to mark his elevation to the Privy Council. Fully 100 members of the bar wore in attendance, including seven King’s Counsel. Ur A. M‘Arthur, S.M., and Mr \V. G. Riddell, S.M., were present representing the Magistrates .Bench, Messrs H. H. Ostler and P. Maoassey, representing the Crown Law Office, Superintendent Ellison, on behalf of the iiolico, and Mr J. R. London, on behalf of the Auckland LawSociety. Associated with Sir Joshua Williams on the bench were Mr Justice Denniston, Mr Justice Edwards, Mr Justice Chapman, and Mr Justice Cooper. The Attorney-general (the lion. A. L. Ilcrdman) offered his congratulations on behalf of the members of the bar. Hie event, he said, marked an epoch in the administration of justice in New Zealand, as tho dominion was now represented on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. During all the years Sir Joshua Williams had sat on the bench he had retained the respect, confidence, and admiration of all those with whom he had come in contact. Ho would leave behind in New Zealand an example which all must desire to emulate. In reply, tho Right Hon. Sir Joshua Williams, who showed deep emotion, thanked tho Attorney-general and all present for their congratulations. Ho lari always thought an ultimate tribunal an important factor in strengthening the bonds of Empire. He regretted that his appointment meant his bidding farewell to his friends in New Zealand. It was with sorrow that he had to break the link of his long association with tho bar, and of his friendship with his brother judges, past and present. In conclusion he had to thank members of the bar and the profession for their long courtesy and kindness, and the press of New Zealand for the fair way in which it had done its work. He hoped that before lie died he would have an opportunity of returning to New Zealand, and ho trusted that, with God’s help, he would be enabled to do his duty.

The following reply has been received by Mr A. C. Hanlon from Sir Joshua Williams, in response to Mr Hanlon’s telegram on behalf of the Otago Law Society, conveying tho congratulations of the society upon "bis elevation to the honour of being one of His Majesty’s Privy Councillors Please convey to the Council of the Otago Law Society my heartfelt thanks for their kind congratulations-and good wishes. — Joshua Strange Williams.”