Living Legal History

Excerpt from the diary of Arthur Feez KC

October 26 Monday 1903

Regular day off. At 11 the High Court met for the first time in Queensland. Unfortunately, [Cowan?] owing to his [—] being moribund had to leave yesterday evening and the court was confined to Griffith and Barton. Blair made a rather stilted address and Rutledge, to our astonishment, followed him. Fan and Ida were there. About 12, I had consultation in a [—ing] case with McGregor and Morris. Club to lunch and at 2 we (the Bar and solicitors) entertained the Judges (Griffith, Barton, Cooper and Real) on the Lucinda. Very pleasant afternoon getting back about 5.40. Home in the 6.5 and read a little but was very tired and turned in early.

Special meeting of Synod for election of Bishop on Wednesday. Informal meeting of Laity Tuesday 7pm.

October 27 Tuesday 1903

Full Court. Pope Cooper sworn in as CJ. Blair congratulated him and then Real made a long rambling speech as to the reason for his [—] in not getting the position. It was very bad luck but luckily he did not make a scene. The rest of the day we were arguing the right of appeal to PC in Colonial Sugar Co v [D—ing]. I was at it most of the day and Woolcock was still arguing when we adjourned. Stayed in town and had tea at the Johnsonian as we had a meeting of the Laity at Protestant Hall at 8. Nothing definite settled though the Laity seem in favour of [Green].

These collections are just two amongst the hundreds of unique legal heritage items held by the Supreme Court Library.  In the new Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law we have a purpose built hermetic storage space to accommodate original and fragile items, including photographs, diaries, manuscripts, artworks and other legal regalia.  Assisted by the generosity of the legal profession and members of the community, the Library is working to ensure the preservation and continued accessibility of Queensland legal heritage material for future generations.

If you or someone you know has interesting material relating to early Queensland practitioners, we would love to hear from you.  Some donations of culturally significant items are eligible as a tax deduction for the market value of the gift under the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program.  Many original items from our collection also feature on our website and in exhibitions mounted in the Sir Harry Gibbs Legal Heritage Centre.

For more information about our Heritage & Education Program, please email librarian@sclqld.org.au or contact us on (07) 3247 4373.

David Bratchford, Supreme Court Librarian

www.sclqld.org.au