ONE-HUNDRED YEARS AGO Saturday February 14, 1920
Sheriff-Principal of Argyll
Mr A H Briggs Constable, KC, the newly appointed Sheriff-Principal of Argyllshire, visited Campbeltown on Monday, arriving by steamer in the afternoon.
A formal sitting of the court was held about four o’clock for the purpose of extending a welcome to the new Sheriff-Principal, who was accompanied on the bench by SheriffSubstitute
J Macmaster Campbell, Provost Colvill, and ex-Provost Mitchell and ex-Provost Lothian, Hon. Sheriff-Substitutes.
The following members of the bar were in attendance: Messrs D Mactaggart, J N Mactaggart, Thos. Mackelvie, C C Maxtone, and Archd. Stewart, with Mr A McK. Elliott, Sheriff Clerk Depute.
Sheriff-Principal Constable, having presented his commission.
Sheriff Macmaster Campbell, in introducing him, said: ‘We meet today to offer a very cordial welcome to Sheriff-Principal Constable on the occasion of his visit to Campbeltown to enter upon his new jurisdiction – the historic County of Argyll.
‘We feel gratified that Sheriff Constable’s first visit to the county should be paid in the town of Campbeltown, for, less articulate it may be than its sister court towns, Campbeltown, in point of population and of industrial consequence, is beyond dispute the leading town in the shire.
‘Campbeltown, too, has the double distinction of having been the first capital of the Scottish kings, and in point of date, the last of the Scottish towns to be created a Royal Burgh. Its fame is ancient and modern.
‘Sheriff Constable’s high reputation has preceded him. We know him as a distinguished advocate, and as a wise and accomplished judge: and we recognise in him a worthy successor to Sheriff McClure, whose recent promotion was universally acclaimed.
‘We look with pleasing anticipation to many subsequent visits from the sheriff – not always it may be, on judicial business: we hope he will make intimate acquaintance with our romantic district and its well-known resources for health and recreation.
‘He will find the people of Kintyre a kindly folk, industrious and prosperous withal. A judicious blend of Highland and Lowland elements of our Scottish nation, he will find in the people of Kintyre less Celtic impetuosity than in some other Argyllshire areas, and correspondingly he will discover less disposition to litigate: last, he will always find a sincere respect for the law and for those, like himself, whose duty it is to administer the law.
‘I have great pleasure in thus introducing Sheriff Constable to the Kintyre District of his jurisdiction of Argyll.’
Mr D Mactaggart, speaking on behalf of the bar and the officials of the court, offered his Lordship their respectful congratulations on his appointment and a most cordial welcome to Campbeltown.
The relations between bench and bar in this court have always been of the happiest description, and he had no doubt that they would continue so during his Lordship’s reign.
He was perfectly sure that his Lordship might rely on the assistance of the bar and the officials of the court in everything that went to further the efficient administration of justice in this district.
It was one of the disadvantages of Campbeltown that it was difficult to get at, and they were sorry that his Lordship had had such bad weather for his first journey to this part of the shire.
They hoped however that in the summer season he might repeat the journey under conditions that would give him a better impression of this part of the West Highlands.