797
THE ESTATES GAZETTE
Mat 13, 1899.
was a meeting at which politics ought not to be introduced (hear, hear), because he had been told that there were around that table gentlemen of different political opinions. He had been told that there were Radicals present (laughter). He could not believe it himself, because they all looked so respectable (renewed laughter). He would not trench upon party politics, but he must refer first to the Radical House of Parliament—the Lords (cries of oh! oh ! and laughter), and afterwards to the Commons. With regard to the former, there had been 335 new peers created since the Queen came to the throne. Of this number 215 were created by a Liberal Government and 119 by a Conservative Government. These figures justified him in saying that! the House of Lords was Radical. It was true that members of that House came round to the other side after a very short time (laughter), they could not be expected to remain in ignorance for ever (loud laughter). He was bound to speak with the utmost generosity of the political party to which he did not belong, the Radical party, because when they came into power in 1892 they were pledged to abolish the House of Lords, and the very first penny of the taxes of this country went towards reoushioning the House of Lords with morocco leather (laughter). This the Radical party did during the first week. The second week they created two new peers —Lord Playfair and Lord Battersea—therefore, after all, !the Lords seemed to be regarded by both parties alike as a very respectable body of men. Whatever their defects might be, they were doing a certain amount of good, if only finding work for the barristers (laughter). With regard to the House of Commons, it was composed of 103 Irish members, and a number of people of more or less importance (loud laughter). It must not be believed that the Irish members monopolised the time of the House ; this he would deny most emphatically. They said fairly and honestly “ give us four-fifths of the time. We do not want anything that is unfair. You can have the remainder ” laughter). One thing could be said of the House of Commons, that it was composed of representatives of all classes of men—from the highest aristocracy down to the very poorest of the land (hear, hear, and applause). It was in every sense an institution of which every inhabitant of Great Britain and Ireland might well be proud (applause). Mr. Freeman had referred to the ecclesiastical debates. It was true that they had had quite a lot of it on the previous day, but the House was not serious—they did not mean anything by it (laughter). But he was bound to say with all seriousness that the House of Commons as at present constituted was most successful. It was gratifying to find that the three central parts of their great Empire—England, Scotland and Ireland—and he would add Wales—were day by day being drawn nearer and nearer together] Might they for ever continue to come closer and closer, for his impression was that this great Empire was not built to be broken up by men of to-day. it was not built by us, but was handed over to us by our forefathers to be handed over to the 'uture generations — undiminished and untarnished (applause). Whatever their faults might be, it was pleasing to find that the three pants of the Empire were being drawn closer together, and that as British subjects they all honoured their good Queen and were always willing to join heartily in the singing of the anthem
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious.
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen! (applause).
Mr. J. L. Wanklyn, M.P., also responded, and after an allusion to the President, who, he remarked, was one of his constituents ; said that■ the Parliament of this kingdom was never more respected by the people than it was to-day, and that was for the simple reason that it respected itself and conducted its business in a decent and orderly manner.
. Mr. Douglas Young (Member of the Council) gave “ The Legal Profession,” and remarked that amidst all the■ social and ponucal strife in this country, there was■ one set of gentlemen Who were always free from suspicion—he referred to Her Majesty’s Judges (applause). Referring to members of the Bar, the speaker said th at they as auctioneers, surveyors and valuers were frequently in their hands, and they were indebted to them for much of the knowledge which it was necessary for them !to exercise when they were called upon to act as arbitrators and umpires. He thought the other section of the legal profession—the solicitors—was not. by any means of less importance from the point of view of an auctioneer (hear, hear). Auctioneers were, to a large extent, indebted m the solicitors for their business, and they often saved them from many pitfalls (applause). The relationship between !them, therefore, was of a very close character. He coupled with the toast the names׳ of Mr. Balfour Browne, Q.C., and Mr. J. B. Margetts, President of the Incorporated Law Society.
Mr. Balfour Browne, Q.C., responded, and humorously remarked that he did not think the legal profession was a popular profession, it being looked upon by very many people as
Continued on Page 809.
Kingham, J. T. Skelding, W. W. Read, L. Farmer, Herbert Farmer, W. Hughes, J. C. Goldsack, Morley Phillips, J. W. Harling, J. Davies, J. Groom, G. F. Logsdail, G. H. Jenkins, W. Harris, R. Dixon, C. D. Levy, F. Yeoman, C. Andrew®, J. M. Duncan, W. G. Kimpton, E. L. Bürgin, P. Hodson, W. Clay ton, F. C. Squire, P. E. Cross, H. J. Bromley,
E.	C. Davies, F. J. Buckell, S. Kingston, E. W. Sampson, H. Tufnell, W. Chambers, Dr. Davies, P. H. Hall, R. Blackburn, J. L. Johnson, J. W. Neighbour, E. T. Pearce, S. Amo, Geo. Pearce, S. G. Gamble, H. Dann, P. M. Sydenham, Charles Gray, W. A. Wood, F. Dunn, E. Hugh Henry, C. Harris (Secretary), H. D. Buckland, F. J. Cousens, E. Pennington, H. G. W. Brinsley, E. Arthur Butler, Is. Slade, F. H. B. Riddle, Granville Smith, F. W. Dougherty, F. R. Lovegrove, F. G. P. Neve, Thos. Parry, J.P., Jas. Boyton, F. Bowater, T. Bull, E. Palmer, Frank P. Wilson, J. Stower, Harvey Dyball, T. H. Sutton, Capes, C. T. Smith, J. Blackford, W. 0. Newport, W. Standring, Walter Reeve, W. J. Kerl, F. L. James, C. S. Smith, F. Hazell, A. D. Taylor, W. W. Cox, W. J. Vicar, J. R. Parkinson, F. W. Holbrook, F. B. Capon, Sturt, N. Winstan-ley, J. Baker, H. Bloss Taylor, J. B. Browett, G׳. F. Attree, A. T. Barber, G. Higgins, H. Hookey, R. J. Carter, F. Taylor, M. C. Liell, B. Forbes, W. H. Taylor, H. Watts, J. Watts,
F.	G. Wheatley (Mayor of Poole), — Wheatley, jun., W. H. Walford, A. E. Pearkes, B. Bailey, ׳Mark Liell, F. G. Ke-rly, H. D. Kemp, T. F. Deason, A. Wellings, W. M. Willcocks, Edwin Evans, J. W. Coade, B. H. Mercer, L. T. Snell, H. V. Raffety, F. H. Osborne, C. O. Hicks, R. T. Catling, E. T. Pilgrim, W. Gaskill, H. C. Curry, G. H. Barber, W. B. Trick, H. M. San-dom, W. Bradly, E. Oordrey, jun., F. W. Raffety, G. Cole, Chilvers, F. Grounds, E. Horne,
G.	' H. Mills, J. S. Richardson, J. Bayly, M. Jessett, M. A. Hibbard, W. Jennings, 0. Kil-burn, J. E. Dobson, J. H. Teale, T. C. Woods,
H.	H. Matthews, H. A. Levens, C. T. Garnar, W. J. Everett, W. J. Tower®, T. 0. Fawcett, T. Ambler, Jo. Shoesmith, J. S. Webb, J. W. Ackroyd, C. E. Thorpe, Walter Wilson, P. Matthews, W. Levens, Allan, E. F. Stimson, A. Hutchison and Edward Stimson.
The loyal toasts having been duly honoured,
Mr. G. M. Freeman, Q.C., gave “Imperial Parliament.” It was his good fortune to appear year after year before a large number of committees, consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament who listened patiently to a great number of speeches from himself and other members of the Bar, and it was only natural therefore that they should take an immense interest in the welfare of both Houses (laughter). The reason why members of the Parliamentary Bar would earnestly deprecate the abolition of the Second House was not far to seek, for should anything of the kind happen their very modest emoluments would be considerably curtailed (laughter). Therefore it was a certain fitness of things that he should wish long life and prosperity ■to both Houses of Parliament. Continuing 1his humorous remarks, the speaker said that it was not generally known that during the recent campaign in Egypt the first man to follow the Sirdar into the breach of Omdurman was a member of the Auctioneers’ Institute, and within ten minutes of his entry he had established an office in one of the vacated houses and advertised the surrounding desert as eligible building plots (loud laughter). With regard to the House of Commons, he was not sure that the Auctioneers’ Institute was interested in the theological controversies that had taken place during ■the last few days, but he thought he ought to remind them in ■this connection that at a court presided over the other day by two Archbishops, expert evidence was taken, and where the expert was, there also was to be found the auctioneer (laughter and applause). But if they were not altogether interested in the theological debates, the work done by Parliament in other respects would be looked upon with a certain amount of favour. Good work was done by committees at the present time, for they had just sanctioned the carrying out of two great and important schemes, the Strand Improvements and the widening of Victoria Station, both of which would involve an extensive demolition of properties. He coupled with the toast the names of Dr. Rentoul, M.P., ■and Mr. J. L. Wanklyn, M.P.
Dr. Rentoul, Q.C., M.P., humorously responded. He said the Lord Mayor of London once remarked to him that he had replied so often to the toast of “ The Lord Mayor and Corporation, etc.,” that he believed that if he were asleep he would •say automatically, “ Gentlemen, I thank you for your kind reception of the toast of the Lord Mayor and Corporation of the City of London” (laughter). He (the speaker) could almost say the same thing in respect of the toast of “Imperial Parliament.” It was only natural that Mr. Freeman should wish prosperity to the Houses of Parliament. He believed his friend was extremely popular amongst the members of both Houses, particularly those who sat on committees. They liked him, and it was only common decency to like them in return (laughter). Well, the Houses of Parliament existed for political purposes, and that
could not but congratulate the members upon the greatly increased strength of the Institute, the highly satisfactory condition of its finances, the degree of usefulness to which it had attained, and the degree of favour which continues to be accorded ■to it by the public and the profession at large.
The President, in moving the ■adoption, of the report, said that the Institute could congratulate themselves most highly upon their present position. The report and balance sheet showed an improvement year after year. They had now laid the foundation stone, and were determined that their Institute should rank among the first in the country (applause). They had experienced ■a very great difficulty, especially in London, in securing the support and recognition, of the right class of men, but now they had the support of the leading practitioners in the country, and were determined to be of some good to the profession generally (applause). Mr. Dobson proceeded to refer to ■several items, in the report, drawing particular attention to the increased membership.
Mr. James F. Field (London) !seconded, remarking that whereas a balance of £875 16s. was carried forward from last year’s account, the balance this year, exclusive of the Library Fund and the Benevolent Fund, was £1,358 4s. 10d., a fact which in itself showed the vast progress made. The report■ and accounts were subsequently adopted.
The following members of the Council retiring by rotation were re-elected:—Messrs. Arthur William Brackett (Tunbridge Wells), Robert Buckell (Oxford), Alfred Andrew Burnett (Southampton), Arthur George Dilley (Huntingdon), Allen Drew (London), Frank Everill (Worcester), John Hepper (Leeds), Edmund William Richardson (London) and Abraham Smith (London).
Mr. James F. Field (Pasttpresident) moved that Messrs. Bentley James Bridgewater (Fellow), London ; Henry Duncan Buckland (Fellow), Windsor ; William Wilkinson Cox (Fellow), Torquay ; and Frederick John Terry Horsey (Fellow),' London, being eligible and having consented to serve, be and they are hereby elected members of the Council Mr. Frank Everill (Worcester) seconded, and the resolution■ was unanimously adopted.
On the motion of Mr. W. Cox (Torquay), seconded by Mr. H. D. Buckland (Windsor), Messrs. Wm. Abbott, F.O.A. (London), and Chas. T. Smith (Chatham) were re-elected as members’ auditors.
The following members of the committee of the Benevolent Fund were re-elected, on the motion ■of Mr. D. T. Alexander (Cardiff), seconded by Mr. Abraham Smith (London) : — Messrs. Benjamin M. Bradbeer (Lowestoft), George Brinsley (London), James Catling (Cambridge), Edward Dobson (Bradford), James F. Field (London), and Morley Phillips (London).
Mr. W. Roland Peck (London) moved that the chairman, ■of the Finance Committee, Mr. J. H. Townsend Green, be elected a member of the committee of the Benevolent Fund.
Mr. Richardson (London) seconded, and the motion was carried.
The proceedings terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the President (Mr. E. Dobson) for his services during the last year, proposed by Mr. J. H. Townsend Green (London), seconded by Alderman Buckell (Oxford).
THE DINNER.
The 13th annual dinner was held in the Great Hall, Cannon-street Hotel, the President (Alderman E. Dobson, J.P.) in the chair. The members and guests in attendance, numbering close upon 250, included :—Mr. Ernest Flower, M.P., the Hon. Captain, Greville, M.P., Sir J. Forteseue-Flannery, M.P., Mr. J. L. Wanklyn, M.P., Mr. J. A. Rentoul, LL.D., Q.C., M.P., Mr. J. A. Balfour Browne, Q.O., Mr. G. M Freeman, Q.O., Mr. T. W. Wheeler, Q.C., Mr. Thomas Milvain, Q.C. (Recorder of Bradford), Mr. C. B. Margetts (President of the Incorporated Law Society), Colonel J. E. Bingham, Rev. Monseigneur Canon Fenton, Rev. Dean Fleming, Alderman Pratt, Alderman J. Whitley, Mr. John Moore, J.P., Alderman Samuel Green, Mr. James F. Field and Mr. Frank Everill (Past-presidents), Mr. B. M. Bradbeer, Mr. W. Weatherhead and Mr. W. Roland Peck (Vice-presidents), Mr. D. T. Alexander, Mr. John Hepper, J.P., Mr. A. G. Dilley, Aider-man R. Buckell, M.A., Mr. Edmund W. Richardson, Mr. Charles■ Appleton, Mr. J. Savill, Mr. J. H. Townsend Green, Mr. W. Bennett Rogers, Mr. A. W. Brackett, Mr. V/. E. Cross, Mr. A. A. Burnett, Mr. Allen Drew, Mr. J. J. Greaves, and Mr. Douglas Young, members of the Council. Messrs. J. H. W. Wheeler, S. 0. Gale, T. Sharp, F. D. Ibbett, 0. F. Goddard, J. C. Platt, H. O. Eves, Humphreys Davies, R. Parry, C. J. Hall, Charles Hall, A. E. Scott, Fred. Varley, D. L. Gooch, H. F. Joyce, J. W. Boden, G. E. Clarke., W. W. H. Raynes, J. H. Lepper, J. H. Savage, R. .T. Ball, C. Sparrow, H. Sealy Jones, J. E. Kingham, P. Stock, G. W. Potter, W. Sim-monds, P. L. Raynes, A. M. Cawthorne, H. B. Priest, W. J. Bassett, L. Neumegen, E. C.
)t	Jfitsittnft
ANNUAL MEETING AND DINNER.
The annual meeting of the members^ of the Auctioneers’ Institute of the United Kingdom was held in the Lecture Hall of ■the Institute, Nos. 57 and 58, Chancery-lane, ■on Thursday afternoon. The President, Mr. Edward Dobson, of Bradford, occupied the chair, and there were also present:—Messrs. James F. Field (London), and Frank Everill (Worcester), Past-presidents ; W. Roland Peck, Allen Drew, W. Bennett Rogers (London) ; .T. Hepper (Leeds) ; W. E. Cross (Macclesfield) ; Abraham Smith (I.ondon) ; B. M. Bradbeer (Lowestoft) ; D. T. Alexander (Cardiff) ; J. J. Greaves (Sheffield) ; Arthur Geo. Dilley (Huntingdon) ; D. Kilburn (Wakefield) ; J. Savill (Leeds) ; W. Weather-head (Keighley) ; Geo. J. Healy (Wigan) ; R. Buckell (Oxford); A. W. Brackett (Tunbridge Wells); and E. W. Richardson (London), members of the Council. Messrs. Arthur Butler, Charles Hall, H. J. Bromley and E, T. Pearce (London); J. R. Parkinson (Bury) ; Thos. Neasom (Redditeh) ; W. Wilkinson Cox (Torquay) ; W. Standring (Epworth) ; E. T. Garland (Harringay) ; H. D. Buckland (Windsor) ; J. H. Teale (Leeds) ; F. Grounds (March) ; T. H. Sutton (Warrington) ;
0.	D. Levy (Rochester) ; E. Easton (Hull) ; J. E. Dobson (Bradford) ; T. C. Woods and C. E. Thorpe (Northampton) ; John Bayley (Margate) ; Walter Hughes (Walsall) ; A. A. Burnett (Southampton) ; E. Home (Hounslow) ; J. C. Goldsaok (Ramsgate) ; J. H. Lepper (Bromley) ; A. E. Crowe (Guildford) ; J. Pooller Jennings (Bradford) ; T. Parry (Newport) ; E. Pennington (Richmond) ; E. G. P. Neve (Ton-bridge) ; W. O. Newport (Folkestone) ; G. E. Attree (Brighton) ; H. V. Raff ety (High Wycombe); F. Durrant (Felixstowe); R. T. Catling (Cambridge) ; and F. B. Capon (Man-ningtree).
REPORT OP THE COUNCIL.
The report and statement of accounts for the year ended February 28 last, was presented. It appeared therefrom that during the year 197 applications for membership were considered, and of this number there had been elected: — As Fellows, 92 ; as Associates, 76 ; ■as Students, 18 ; making a total of 186 new members, and being an increase of 56 over the number admitted during the preceding 12 months. There had been more than the average number of deaths. From this, and other causes, 32 names had been taken from the register. The total number of members on the roll at the end of the year (February 28) was 992.
The financial position of the Institute was highly satisfactory. The income for the year was £1,985 18s. 3d., against £1,627 9s. 6d. for the preceding 12 months, an increase ■of £358 8s. 9d. The expenditure was! £1,467 4& 9d., leaving a net balance of £518 13s. 6d., which, added to the balance brought forward on March
1,	1898, showed a balance to the credit of revenue of £1,394 9s. 6d. The amount■ received in subscriptions, donations and dividends for the Benevolent Fund (separate account) was £135 10s. Id., compared with £95 14s. last year, an increase of £39 16s. Id., and bringing the sum standing ■to the credit ■of the fund, in investments and cash, to £475 Os. Id.
Four Council meetings were held during the year, two in London, one at Oxford and one at Brighton. The average attendance at ■these meetings was 20.5. There had also been 19 committee meetings with an average attendance of 9.3. The examinations of the Institute were held in the month of March, and extended over three days. Thirty candidates presented themselves in the various divisions, and of this number 24 satisfied the examiners. The candidate (Mr. Philip S. Pitt, of Cambridge) who passed first in order of merit in the preliminary examination obtained sufficient marks to gain the Institute Prize.	_ .
The meetings in the Provinces had met with very great success, inasmuch as¡ they had been the means of bringing together large numbers of practitioners from the districts visited by the Council, and had given opportunities for the exchange of ideas upon many subjects connected with the profession. The Council had been pleased to meet the members in such numbers, and they gratefully acknowledged the valuable assistance and hospitality of the local committees.
The crowded state of the members’ room at some of the evening meetings had caused the Council to consider the question of the housing of the Institute. It was felt that the present rapid growth of the Institute required the provision of greater and more suitable accommodation as soon as it could be found. The opinion and advice of the Council had been sought upon various subjects, not ,only by the members, but by public bodies, and the Council had the gratification of knowing that the attention bestowed upon the various subjects brought before them had been thoroughly appreciated, and that in many instances their opinion had been acted upon. The year under review had been one of exceptional activity, and the Council felt they