PRESENTATION TO PUBLIC OFFICER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11109, 25 October 1907, Page 5

PRESENTATION TO PUBLIC OFFICER.

IMPORTANT SPEECH BY PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY. AN UNDERSTAFFED OFFICE. At the library of the Gisborne District Law Society this morning Mr William Johnston, Assistant Land Registrar and Deputy Registrar of Deeds, attended by invitation of the Society to receive a wedding present from the members. There was a full attendance, the President of the Society, Mr J. W. Nolan (Crown Prosecutor), being m the chair. Mr W. A. Barton, 5.M., . was among those present, while Judge Jones was unable to get back from the Coast m time to attend*. The President said that he had pleasure m presenting Mr Johnston with a memento of their esteem. He went on to speak very highly of the efficient and courteous manner m which Mr Johnston carried out his duties. "At the same time," said Mr Nolan, "I think that the amount of work cast on, you is unfair, and that you are doing an amount of work that no ordinary man should be called on to do. We feel and know that the reason of work being at times backward, is from the understaffing of the department. Personally I believe— and I have no doubt the other members of the profession will agree with, me — that the understaffing of your department is a disgrace to tlie colony, and most unfair to officers who are doing their best. Why, no bank clerks (now protected by law) have to work, or ever have had to work as hard as you have been working. It is absolutely impossible for you to keep up to the work that comes into the office, and the consequence is that it falls behind, not from any fault of yours or the officers employed, but that the department is understaffed. This is the jn6re disgraceful to the Government, because they cannot plead ignorance of" it, as it has been brought under- their notice. •• I am speaking of something I know." Continuing, the President said that lie lia% referred to the subject then because it seemed an opportune time; and addressing Mr Johnston, he added: "We cannot allow the opportunity to go by without expressing our appreciation of the work you are doing, and your valuable endeavor to cope with the work put before you. Although lam saying all this about your department I don't want you to think that the presentation is being made fio you on tliat account solely. While we 'appreciate your "work, we also appreciate the step you are taking; I have very much pleasure, on behalf of the profession, m, presenting you with tliis service, and hope that your married life will be a long and very happy one." (Applause). The gift was a beautiful coffee set, on a qilver' salver of choice floral design, and on which the following inscription was nicely engraved : "Presented by the members of the Gisborne District Law. Society to Mr William Johnston, on the occasion of his marriage on the 30th October, 190 T." Mr W. Sievwright, as senior member of the local -Bar present, was called on. He said he thoroughly endorsed the remarks made by the President, and was glad lie had taken this opportunity to bring under public notice the necessity for-hav-ing the department better staffed, so that the work could be done satisfactorily. "We all know that Mr Johnston has done his utmost to carry out the work. ; X have seen time an 4 again that he has had to keep up to high pressure to get through with the work, which he has ?always been anxious to have done. I thjnk we are boundl to back up the President m the endeavor to get the deputy assistance. Personally I must say he has always don-a Ids utmost to help us m any way; he does not hesitate to help us to find out difficulties we may want to overcome. I heartily, join m wishing him all happiness and . prosperity m his new life." (Applause). Mr W/' L. ißees, as senior member, of the New Zealand Bar present, also expressed his appreciation of the>work done by Mr Johnston, and extended his good wishes. "I wish to join also," said' Mr Rees, "m assuring Mr Johnston of the esteem of the prof ession and of the public as well, as far as I know anything about it. "It is notorious that the department is overworked. The Registrar is oftentimes away ;. he is seldom to be here, ow<ing to the onerous duties thrown on him as Judge, and therefore the bulk of the work m the office falls on Mr Johnston's shoulders, and he ought to have more assistance. I join very heartily m wishing Mr Johnston a long and happy married life, and I trust that it will be as long and .as happy as m some of our own cases — and that is wishing a good deal. You will be able when you see the service, and Mrs Johnston will know, of our appreciation and kindliest feelings towards yourself and the lady "who is to be your wife." (Applause.) ; Mr do Laufcour endorsed . the kindly expressions of appreciation tendered, and mentioned that it was extremely pleasing to find young men, as Mr Johnston was, winning his spurs so early-in life, and winning this — recognition of his services. Ho joined m the hearty good wishes. Mr Johnston, on coming forward to reply, "was received Avith warm applause. He sincerely thanked the members of the society for their kind wishes, and said their handsome gift would always be treasured. He was very pleased to learn that they recognised: he had honestly and faithfully tried to carry out the work. — Voice : "Undoubtedly.' r ) — On tlie subject of the office, he did not think it right for him to make any comment, more especially as his chief was absent ; but he could assure them he would always do his best, and that he would always endeavor to maintain the cordial relations existing between the members of the profession and himself.' (Applause.) Mr Johnston leaves for the South on Sunday.