The Court Houses of a Century Part 3

The county court was then opened by Court Crier Hopkins, when Mr. John Crawford, of Aylmer, on behalf of the bar of Elgin, extended to Judge Hughes their congratulations upon the long term he had served on the bench, and upon his distinguished services during that time. The members of the bar were in hearty sympathy with and heartily endorsed the remarks made by the members of the county council. The members of the bar hoped the Judge might be long spared to occupy the high position which he did.

Judge Hughes said he could only express his high appreciation of the kind things said of him. It was an honor for a man to act as judge where there was such a bar as in the county of Elgin. He concluded by thanking Mr. Crawford and the other members for their kind remarks.

[Ill.u.s.tration: F. HUNT, J. P., HOLDING COURT IN A GAOL WARD, AFTER THE FIRE.]

In the evening the judge entertained the members of the bar and the munic.i.p.al and judicial officers of the county of Elgin at a banquet in honor of the occasion of the re-opening of the court house and the 46th anniversary of his appointment. This was held at the Grand Central Hotel.

All the work connected with the court house improvements was completed in the spring of 1900. The final report of the Building Committee was not, however presented until the 23rd of November. The total cost was $50,954.72, and of this amount the city of St. Thomas contributed $12,178.17.

The excellent service rendered to the county by architect Darrach was recognized by the presentation of an address, suitably engrossed, expressing the councils appreciation of his efforts. The report also directed attention to the satisfactory manner in which Messrs. McKnight & Co., the princ.i.p.al contractors, who were represented by the senior member of the firm, Mr. R. Carroll, had completed their work. After the adoption of the report a resolution was pa.s.sed tendering the thanks of the council to A. J. Leitch, Esq., for his services as Chairman of the Building Committee.