A scene from A Man of the Moment performed at the St. James's, London, probabaly in July, 1905.
The Bystander, July 12th, 1905, called "A Man of the Moment at the St. James's,"showing a Photograph for "Mr. George Alexander and Mme. Simone Le Bargy, in the great scene of the play."
FOR YOUR REFERENCE
Justice Owen : A Man of the Moment. The man of the moment is his Honor Mr. Justice Owen. Whatever may come of the Lands Inquiry, no man could have been selected who would give as much satisfaction to the public, or whose appointment would be regarded with such confidence. Judge Owen is one of the most popular members of the Bench in this State. He is the youngest son of the late Colonel Owen, of the 72nd Highlanders, whose family is a younger branch of the Owens (now Cholmondeleys), of Condover Hall, Salop. He was born in 1834, in Ireland, and educated at Cheltenham College and Trinity College, Dublin, where he was a prizeman and medallist. He was called to the Bar in 1859, and emigrated to New South Wales in 1860. Whilst at the Bar he was noted for his comprehensive grasp of the law, as administered in all its branches, although known and for many years recognised as an eminent Equity lawyer. He achieved great celebrity for the way in which he handled the case, "Anderson and Fairfax," in the Common Law Courts, which excited a good deal of comment at the time. Mr. Owen's address on that occasion has long been looked upon as one of the masterpieces of advocacy in the annals of the Bar. In this case it may be said that he made his reputation. He was made a Q.C. in 1882, and was elevated to the Bench on October 18, 1887. For many years his Honor filled the important office of Chief Judge in Equity, which he invested with great dignity. Whilst occupying that position he has delivered judgments that are now recognised as classics in the exposition of that court. He retired from the Equity Bench in November, 1896, to take up the onerous duties of Judge of Nisi Prius. Whether the fact that his son, Mr. Langer-Owen, held a leading position at the Equity Bar, and was constantly appearing before his father, in any way accounted for this change is not, of course, known. If so, his Honor showed a very wise discrimination, as his retirement from the Chief Judgeship of the Equity Bench has enabled his brilliant son to demonstrate that his prominence at the Equity Bar is due to his own innate ability. Judge Owen's readiness in adapting himself to the practice of the Common Law Courts came as a great surprise to those practitioners, who were accustomed to regard Equity lawyers as belonging to a different profession, rather than to a different branch of the same profession. His Honor's versatility in dealing with the different jurisdictions administered by our courts must have been recognised by the masterly manner in which the infamous Coningham case was conducted at the second hearing before him. Judge Owen is also Deputy Judge-Commissary in the Vice-Admiralty Court, and in that jurisdiction he has actually man-aged in several decisions to satisfy both parties. No greater praise could be bestowed on a judge than this. His Honor, as we have said, is the man of the moment, and upon him are fixed countless eyes. But this is not the first commission in which he has been engaged, and most people will recollect that in 1892 he was appointed one of the commission to inquire into the charge brought against the late Mr. Eddy, Chief Commissioner of Railways, by Mr. Schey, who was then a member of the Legislative Assembly in the Lower House. He was married twice. First, in 1860, to a daughter of Langer Carey, M.D. ; she died in 1866 ; and secondly, in 1875, to Florence, daughter of James Levick. The second wife died in 1876. In private life, his Honor is very fond of pottering about his grounds and garden. He has a beautiful residence at Hunter's Hill, and the picturesqueness of his garden shows that the judge puts as much energy into his amusements as he does into his cases. One's impression of Judge Owen is a man of very polished and gentlemanly demeanour, courteous to witnesses, of untiring patience, and demonstrated ability. A few years back his Honor was granted leave of absence owing to the regrettable state of his health ; but now we are glad to say, he looks as well as ever he did, and the inexhaustible energy he throws into the suits that come before him seems to indicate a complete return to his former robust self. (The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Wed. 7 June, 1905, Page 3 )
