BENCH AND BAR PAY TRIBUTE TO LATE MR. JAMES M. HUSSEY

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 August 1950, Page 4

BENCH AND BAR PAY TRIBUTE TO LATE MR. JAMES M. HUSSEY

Bench and Bar paid tributes in the Magistrate's Court, Wanganui, yesterday, to the late Mr J. M. Hussey, barrister and solicitor, who died last week. Mr S. S. Preston, S.M., presided, and associated with him on the Bench was Mr J. H. Salmon, retired stipendiary magistrate. The legal profession was well represented. The president ot the Wanganui D.strict Law Society, Mr N. M. Izard, said that Mr Hussey was a member of the society since 1908. "He had attained his allotted span o£ lite, but was still in active practice and well known to all of us,” Mr Izard added. “Though ot late years James Hussey did little Court work, he was a skilled and forceful advocate and a protagonist in many a forensic battle in this Court and also the Supreme Court.”

Mr Hussey was also a keen student in international affairs and took an interest in farming, being particularly proud of his herd of Friesian cattle. He had a keen sense of honour and a caustic wit, both of which qualities served him well at the Bar and enlivened his conversation. He was a distinguished member of the legal profession and his personality provided a stimulus to his brother members.

"W e shall be the poorer for his passing and shall miss his presence with us. To his widow and family we extend our deepest sympathy and grieve with them in 'their loss,” said Mr Izard. Mr Preston said that as Mr Hussey had not been long known to him he had thought it Atting that Mr Salmon, before whom Mr Hussey had practised for many years, should be associated with these tributes.

"I am privileged to join you in tributes to a deceased friend,” said Mr Salmon, who spoke of his associations with Mr Hussey extending over a period of 20 years. Mr Hussey was an able lawyer and a powerful, forceful advocate, but behind these forensic qualities he had a kind heart and genial personality, said Mr Salmon.

Mr Preston said it was not his privilege to know Mr Hussey person ally as he had appeared before him on but few occasions. "But I had heard of him before coming to Wanganui. He was well known not only among the profession, but also in tnc sporting world. It is fitting that we should assemble here today and pay respect to his memory,” said Mr Preston.