Ohiiuary Notices. 
xlv 
Company, in the case of Mrs Armour against them, which was an 
action of damages arising out of the subsidence of a trench formed 
for the construction of a sewer in Stevenston Street, Glasgow. The 
water-run of the sewer was about 30 feet from the surface of the 
street, and the trench was about 8 feet from the building-line. The 
method adopted in constructing the sewer was open casting by means 
of hand-piling, and during a heavy rainfall part of the open trench 
gave way, and serious injury was done to the adjoining buildings. 
Mr Leslie, in the circumstances, was called upon to defend the 
method of hand-piling adopted. There were other three methods 
suggested, viz., ordinary tunnelling, tunnelling by compressed air, 
and steam-driven piling. Mr Leslie had great experience of works 
of this nature, his firm having carried through many important 
contracts — notably, a portion of the Leith Purification Scheme, 
which passed through some of the most important streets in Leith ; 
and in preparation of Armour’s case he made many helpful sugges- 
tions, not only to those entrusted with the conduct of the case, but 
also to his co-witnesses. It was evident that he had profited by 
his experience, and one felt that when he spoke he did so as one 
having authority. His appearance in the witness-box was quiet, 
dignified, and impressive, his evidence being given in a clear, pre- 
cise, emphatic manner, coupled with that moderation and fairness 
which are always so telling in their effect on those sitting in judg- 
ment on the case. 
Mr Leslie also acted as a valuator appointed by the Board of Trade 
in a question arising out of the construction of the Tollcross Lines, 
and in that matter his actions were characterised by promptness and 
despatch. He showed that he was a man thoroughly capable of 
discharging judicial functions, and his judgment was by the claimant 
and by the railway company regarded as being fair and reason- 
able. 
Mr Leslie was of active habits, and was able to attend to business 
to within a week of his death, which came at the last with startling 
suddenness. He was cut off at the age of 49, and leaves a widow 
and son to mourn his untimely death. 
