connection goes even further back, his appointment as Depute Town Clerk under his father dating from 1863. In 1868 he was appointed to the position of Town Clerk. Mr George G. Dalgarno, solicitor, handed over the address. MR THOMAS STURROCK, S.S.C., who recently resigned office as Town Clerk of Dalkeith, was entertained by a gathering of the inhabitants in the Cross Keys Hotel, Dalkeith, on 20th April. In the course of the evening Provost Brown, who presided, presented him with his portrait, painted by Mr Tom Alison, in three-quarter length, and a cheque, with a bureau for Mrs Sturrock, in recognition of his valuable services to the town. Mr Sturrock acknowledged the gifts, and handed back the portrait, which is to be hung in the Town Hall. LAW AGENTS' EXAMINATION.-At the recent quarterly examination in law conducted by the Examiners of Law Agents twelve candidates. presented themselves for examination. Eleven of these were examined in all subjects, and five passed. One graduate in law holding the LL.B. degree of a Scottish University who was examined in Court Procedure failed to pass The following candidates passed the examination in law Mungo Duncan, Kilmarnock; John George Duncan Ferries, Aberdeen; John Reid MacGregor, Portobello; John Macfarlane Robertson, Edinburgh; William Wylie, Edinburgh. MR A. O. CURLE, W.S., Director of the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh, has been appointed by the Committee of the Privy Council on Education in Scotland to be Director of the Royal Scottish Museum, in succession to Sir T. Carlaw Martin, whose retirement takes place under the age limit. Mr Curle, for the period of the war, will be responsible for the administration of the National Museum of Antiquities. Mr Curle, who was born in 1866, is the third son of Mr Alexander Curle of Priorwood, Melrose. He was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. In 1892 he became a Writer to the Signet. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, of which he is one of the two local secretaries for Scotland, and is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and was Honorary Secretary of that body from 1905 to 1913. In 1908 he was appointed Secretary of the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments of Scotland, and continued in that office until 1913, when he became a member of that Commission. He is also a member of the Advisory Board for Scotland under the Ancient Monuments Act 1913. Mr Curle is the author of numerous contributions to archæological publications. Mr Curle's family has been much associated with archæological exploration in Scotland, his brother being the author of the well-known account of the excavations of the Roman Camp at Newstead. MR WILLIAM GUY, writer, Glasgow, has been appointed legal assessor of Glasgow Dean of Guild Court in succession to the late Professor Moir. Mr Guy has acted as clerk to the Dean of Guild Court since 1910, and the offices of clerk and legal assesor will now be combined. SINCE the death of Mr James MacWilliam, the senior partner of the old-established firm of Nicolson, MacWilliam & Co., the surviving partners, Mr George Guthrie, M.A., LL.B., and Mr William Henry Curr, W.S., have assumed as a partner Mr Henry James Black, writer, who has for many years acted as conveyancing clerk to the firm. The firm is to continue business as writers and notaries, under the same name, at its chambers, 226 West George Street, Glasgow. MR WILLIAM M'CONACHIE, Knowsie, Fraserburgh, has been appointed an Honorary SheriffSubstitute for the county of Aberdeen. MR C. R. MOTHERWELL, writer, has been appointed Clerk to the Heritors of Kirkintilloch in succession to Mr Hugh Hutcheson, who has resigned. THE thirty-sixth annual meeting of the Scottish Institute of Accountants (the Scottish Branch of the Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors) was held in the Religious Institution Rooms, Glasgow, on 12th May. Mr D. Hill Jack presided. In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman referred to the smaller number of candidates sitting for examination, owing to the fact that, prior to the Military Service Act, several incorporated accountants in practice, as well as many clerks and apprentices of members, joined the colours. The necessity for the military authorities obtaining the services of all available men of military age, and the calling up of single and, latterly, of attested married men had the earnest attention of the Council of the branch, and advice and assistance had been given in every suitable case. He also called attention to the provision in the rules made by the Minister of Munitions under the Munitions of War Act 1915, with respect to the limitations of profits of a controlled establishment, and to the fact that the word "audited" is stated to mean audited by a chartered or incorporated accountant, or by an accountant approved in any particular case by the Board of Trade. Mr Robert Young, Elgin, seconded, and the report was adopted. On the motion of Mr Wm. Harris Jack, seconded by Mr R. B. M'Caig, Mr W. C. Macbean, Peterhead; Mr W. L. Patullo, Dundee; Mr H. Wylie Auld and Mr Wm. M'Intosh, Glasgow; and Mr James Nicoll, Greenock, were re-elected members of Council. Mr Robert Milne, Glasgow, and Mr J. T. Morrison, Coatbridge, were appointed honorary auditors for the ensuing year. THE sixteenth annual meeting of subscribers and friends in connection with the Edinburgh Legal Dispensary was held in the Goold Hall, 5 St Andrew Square, on 29th March Sir George Paul, LL.D., D.K.S., presiding. The annual report stated that the work of the Dispensary had been considerably affected by the war. The number of clients advised and the number of consultations shewed a reduc take a certain course of medical dispensary work. Bailie Boyd, in seconding, spoke of the value of the work of the Dispensary as seen in the Police Court. The resolution was adopted. Mr D. Maclean, solicitor, also spoke, and said his experience of the administration of justice in the Police Court was, on the whole, very satisfactory. The retiring directors were re-elected. THE death of Mr John Oliver, of Lynnwood, senior partner of the firm of Messrs George & James Oliver, solicitors, Hawick, and joint agent of the Hawick branch of the Commercial Bank tion from recent years. This year consulta of Scotland, took place on 12th April. Mr tions numbered 1513, and cases numbered Oliver had been connected with public boards 918, as compared with 1817 and 1098 respec- in Hawick and district for close on half a centively in the previous year. Since 1900 the tury. He also took a great interest in farming, total number of consultations was 21,991, and having several holdings at one time, but latterly the total number of clients advised was 13,986. he confined his farming attentions to WhitOne of the reasons for the reduction in the total rope, which has been tenanted by his family number of cases was the fact that the poorer for about 300 years. He was a prominent classes, from whom the clients of the Dispensary member of the Teviotdale Farmers' Club, of were drawn, were never in a better financial which he was at one time President. A Conposition than at present, and were never before servative in politics, he was for many years so well able to meet their obligations. Of the political agent for the Hawick district of Roxtwenty-one lawyers on the staff of the Dis-burghshire, and he was also an elder of Hawick pensary at the beginning of the war, fourteen Parish Church. Mr Oliver, who was a widower, were now engaged on military service demand- was about seventy-three years of age, and is ing their whole time, and one had died of survived by a daughter. wounds received in action. The Directors hoped that the increase in the funds would be maintained, as they had still in view the desirability of opening one or more branches at the conclusion of the war, or as soon thereafter as occasion arose and they were in a position to do so. The income for the year was £154, 2s. 1d., and the expenditure was £73, 10s. 3d., leaving a balance on hand of £80, 11s. 10d. In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman said that during the time the Dispensary had existed it had done very good work. When it was established some people thought that it might do mischief, that it might excite quarrels in families, and that it might promote litigation. There never was a greater mistake in the world. Those people did not know the principles on which the Dispensary was founded. So far from promoting quarrels, its whole purpose was to get people together and settle their disputes amicably. It was not merely a benefit to the poor people, but it was also a benefit to the young lawyers, who through its instrumentality gained considerable experience. The Rev. William Mann seconded, and the report was adopted. Sir W. S. Haldane, W.S., moved a resolution of sympathy with the work of the Dispensary. The work of the staff, he said, was all the more difficult because poor people as clients were more difficult to advise than richer people. Possibly it was that every point was of greater value to them. He suggested that a period of Dispensary work might become a recognised part of the training of young lawyers, just as young doctors had to WE regret to record the death of Mr William Aiton, writer, a member of the firm of Downie, Aiton & Co., writers, Glasgow, which took place on 18th April. Mr Aiton was at business during the whole of the week before his death, but he contracted influenza, which developed into acute pneumonia, the end coming with great suddenness. He was fifty-eight years of age, and was a graduate in law of Glasgow University. Before the absorption of Cathcart in Glasgow he held a number of public appointments in that district. An experienced and sound adviser, he was widely consulted in conveyancing and family matters. Mr Aiton is survived by his wife and two children. WE regret to record the death of Mr Alexander Christopher Logan, W.S., which took place at Edinburgh on 10th May. Mr Logan was the son of a former Sheriff of Forfarshire, Mr A. S. Logan, and he was admitted to the Society of Writers to the Signet in 1877. MR THOMAS ANDREW, whose death took place on 23rd March, was a well-known solicitor in Ayr. He was a native of Tarbolton, and served his legal apprenticeship in Ayr, and thereafter spent some time in Glasgow. He began practice in Ayr in 1884. He was a member of the Ayr Faculty of Solicitors, and held the appointment of Depute J.P. Clerk and Depute Sheriff-Clerk for the Cumnock district. His son, who is a qualified law agent, is on active service. I refer to my note of 23rd November last in reference to commission payable to solicitors for placing clients' money on the first security; and suggesting that solicitors should be treated in the same position as stockbrokers. I received a formal acknowledgment dated 27th November last. acknowledgment I received in November from I do not know what renders the giving of commission to stockbrokers practicable and impracticable to solicitors. If I may hazard a guess, it may be that the Government does not desire to have to solve any difficulties as to who are properly agents in this matter and who are not. I wish to point out that law agents or solicitors in Scotland are enrolled on a register kept by the officials of the Court of Session. I do not know how it may be in England, but solicitors, whether in England or Scotland, have the Inland Revenue has therefore a complete list every year to pay Attorney Licence Duty, and the Inland Revenue has therefore a complete list of the profession every year. I have sent up to the Bank of England applications for £2000 of the new loan, and have the same answer that I got before, viz. that commission will be paid only to banks and stockbrokers. I feel this to be a grievance, and the feeling is participated in by my profession here. I would be slow to insist upon so small a matter receiving consideration in these times, but although I have not allowed this unfair discrimination to influence myself, it may be otherwise with others. I to our profession, and perhaps also to the general would venture to suggest, therefore, that from public.-Your obedient servant, that point of view it merits some attention.— (Sgd.) JAS. T. JEFFREY. Your obedient servant, In this town apparently, and, I believe, elsewhere, some stockbrokers have offered to share rules of our local Exchange, and probably other the commission. This is apparently against the Exchanges, and there is some litigation threatIn any case, it is humiliating that our profession should be placed in a position of subservience to stockbrokers. I venture to think that the considerations which I am sorry to trouble you at such a time, but I have advanced are of some importance, certainly ened about the matter. (Sgd.) JAS. T. JEFFREY. TREASURY CHAMBERS, TREASURY CHAMBERS, WHITEHALL, S.W., 23rd July 1915. DEAR SIR, I am desired by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st inst.-Yours faithfully, (Sgd.) ALAN PARSONS. James T. Jeffrey, Esq. DEAR SIR,-In reply to your letter of the 16th inst. I am desired by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to say that as regards cash subscriptions to the War Loan it is not practicable to offer commission except to bankers and brokers, but he understands that it is the practice of bankers and brokers to divide the commission which they receive with other agents The Chancellor of the Exchequer, who introduce the business.-Yours faithfully, (Sgd.) ALAN PARSONS. Treasury Chambers, 9th March 1916. SIR,-In view of the investment period in Scotland when solicitors all over the country are dealing with the money of clients sent to them for investment, I venture again to ask whether the attitude of the Government towards that profession in reference to commission on loans is to be maintained. As I stated in my letters of 16th and 21st July last, the preference given to stockbrokers as against our profession is considered unfair.-Your obedient servant, (Sgd.) JAS. T. JEFFREY. This little book consists of a head and three tails, or, in other words, an Introduction and three Appendices. In the introduction the author explains in admirably clear and simple language the effect of the enactments contained in the Munitions of War Acts. The first appendix consists of the text of the Munitions Act of 1915 incorporating in red type the amendments of the Act of 1916, and the other two appendices contain the rules regarding limitation of profits and the rules regarding clearance certificates. The book is an excellent piece of work, and will appeal to the layman as well as the lawyer. The Juridical Review. Vol. XXVIII. No. 1, March 1916. The first article in the March number of the Juridical Review is written in French and is entitled "La Condictio ex Lege et la Lex Julia." But to the Scots lawyer the most interesting item will probably be Mr Brodie-Innes' admirable article on the differences between the English and the Scots law of contract. Mr William Roughead has broken out in a new place and re-tells the story of the Yelverton marriage case under the title "The Law and Mrs Yelverton." His mantle as a writer on criminal trials seems to have fallen for the time being on Mr Lovat Fraser, who gives an account of the trial of Carnegie of Finhaven, which took place early in the eighteenth century. The trial was noteworthy from the standpoint of legal practice. For some time previously it had been the practice for the jury to be asked to find a verdict of "proven" or not proven on the facts, leaving the Court to determine the legal effect of the verdict. But in this case the prisoner's counsel (the future Lord President Dundas), succeeded in getting the old practice restored under which the jury pronounced a general verdict of "guilty" or "not guilty," and by so doing saved his client's life. The number also includes the usual reviews of the legal literature and of the case law of the quarter. The number is rather shorter than usual, but the quality is very high. The Finance Act 1915, and Finance (No. 2) Act 1915. By J. E. Piper, LL.B., of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law. London: Butterworth & Co. Price 2s. nett. Mr Piper is well known as a writer on Revenue Law. And although this supplement to his edition of Dowell's Income Tax Laws is a small affair compared with the parent volume or with the author's book on Stamp Duties, it has all the qualities which have won for these works their great reputation with the legal profession. The statutes under consideration have made many important changes in the law and have had the effect of complicating still further a subject which has always been regarded as the last word in complication. The author has done all that can be done to make the rough places as smooth as Nature will allow. THE LATE MR W. WEIR GRIEVE, SHERIFF-CLERK OF LANARKSHIRE. his tenure of office-a period of nearly thirteen years the work of the sheriff-clerkship increased steadily in volume and importance, but Mr Grieve was equal to its enlarged demands, and discharged its duties with much acceptance to Bench and Bar alike, and with conspicuous ability and tact, and an unfailing courtesy. The late Mr William Weir Grieve, Sheriff Clerk of Lanarkshire-whose death took place on 9th April last-was born in the village of Gifford, Haddingtonshire, in 1847, and was the son of the late Dr James Grieve. His father In early life Mr Grieve met with an accident removed to Port-Glasgow, and Mr Grieve was which deprived him to some extent of facility educated in that town and at Greenock Academy. of movement, and he had no outdoor pursuits; He received his early legal training in a local but he was possessed of an enthusiastic devotion solicitor's office. After a short apprenticeship to the science of law, and he had no interest he proceeded to London to prosecute his studies. He thereafter went to Glasgow, where he attended classes at the University, and finally completed his training in Edinburgh. In 1874 he started practice in Glasgow. He was most careful and thorough in his methods, and, be ing possessed of much readiness and forcibility of speech, he soon took a leading position at the local Bar, a position which he retained to the end of his professional life. Mr Grieve took a keen interest in politics, and was an enthusiastic ing friendship. In June 1903 Mr Grieve was appointed Sheriff-Clerk of Lanarkshire, an office for which he was well equipped by a ripe professional experience and clearness of judgment. During so great as that of grappling with the subtleties of involved legal questions, on which he delighted to exercise his natural acuteness of intellect and to which he brought the fruits of much careful research. It is not, how ever, as a profound lawyer or as a courteous and painstaking official that those who knew him most intimately will remember him best, but for his high ideal of duty, his unswerving integrity and kindliness of nature, and for his rare gift of loyal and endur EXTRA circuits of the High Court of Justiciary will be held as follows: North-Lord Johnston and Lord Ormidale. Perth, Friday, 16th June; Aberdeen, Tuesday, 20th June; Dundee, Friday, 23rd June; Mr M. P. Fraser, Advocate-Depute; Mr George A. Slight, clerk. West Lord Guthrie and Lord Skerrington. Glasgow, Tuesday, 4th July. Mr James Crabb Watt, K.C., Advocate-Depute, and Messrs George A. Slight and Alexander Rae, clerks. THE Secretary for Scotland has appointed Mr George D. Valentine, advocate, Edinburgh, to k |