THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 28TH AUGUST, 1880.
645
This long preface introduces what we respectfully ask to be forthwith done, to be avowedly ten- tice and provisional only, and to be entirely in the power of His Excellency to put an end to or vary at any moment,
We ask :--
1st. That Mr. PLUNKET be continued as Acting Magistrate (an office he appears to fill well), but that he hand over all accounts and the management of all property (portions of his duty in which he
ils) to Mr. BARFF, retaining all quasi-judicial work, references from the Court, &c., &c., which (we. are informed) he does well, and that he retain the general supervision of the Registry and its officers. 2nd. That Mr. SANGSTER and Mr. Mossor be both appointed Deputy Registrars, each retaining his present offices.
This would secure the presence of a Registrar in each Court always, so that the frequent absences of Mr. PLUNKET and Mr. BARFF would not affect the Court.
Mr. SANGSTER and Mr. Mossor have now between them more of that special and traditional knowledge and experience, the possession of which Lord Chief Justice MANSFIELD SO emphatically referred to, than any other two men obtainable. Each has special qualities of his own.
Both are apt
and honourable, and, if put on their metal, would rapidly improve.
The 8th Recommendation of the Commissioners would thus be carried out.
3rdly. We ask His Excellency to relieve Mr. BARFF from all Court duties, and to assign to him the accounts in all departments of the Court, and the administration or business management of all property in the Court, with such directions and under such regulations as may be decided on.
If His Excellency should see fit to make arrangements of the kind here suggested, it being quite understood that they are temporary and provisional and of an experimental character, we are satisfied that such order might soon be attained in the Registry of the Supreme Court as would_materially assist the Judges, and in the best possible way, and would secure entire protection to the large sums of money and to the important interests under the guardianship of the Court.
We do not suggest any alteration in Mr. BARFF'S income, but we would respectfully ask that some additions should be made to the salaries of Messrs. SANGSTER and Mossor during the progress of the experiment we ask for. As to relative rank, we consider them both equally meritorious, but as one must stand before the other, His Excellency will, after considering their qualifications and testi- monials, be in the best position to determine which should have precedency.
In conclusion, we earnestly request His Excellency to give to our suggestions and requests the earliest possible attention. The necessity for a speedy change in the arrangements of the Registry is very great.
The Honourable W. H. MARSH,
Colonial Secretary,
$c.,
FC.,
fc.
We have, &c.,
JOHN SMALE,
Chief Justice.
JNO. J. FRANCIS,
Acting Puisne Judyr.
No. 684.
JUDGES, Supreme Court,
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, HONGKONG, 28th May, 1879.
GENTLEMEN,—I am directed by the Governor to inform you that after taking carefully into con- sideration your letter of 27th instant, he has decided, upon your strong recommendation,
1. To direct that Mr. BARFF be relieved entirely from all Court duties, and that he should pro- visionally be appointed to act as Accountant to the Court and be specially charged with the different duties suggested by the Commissioners in paragraphs 3. 4 and 5 of their report. Mr. BARFF will, therefore, relieve Mr. PLUNKET of part of his duties. He will continue to draw the same salary as at present.
'2. To appoint Messrs. SANGTER and Mossor to be provisionally Deputy Registrars of the Court, each retaining his present office, His Excellency has been pleased to direct that the available half Pay of the Deputy Registrar, viz., $90 a month, be allotted as follows: $40 to Mr. SANGSTER and $50
Mr. Mossop. This will bring their pay up to $200 and $179 relatively.
His Excellency considers that the Chinese Shroff should, if possible, be relieved of all duties in Court, and be employed under the Acting Accountant in receiving and paying monies.
The Governor thinks also that monies received by the Court should be paid into the Bank to fiovernment account, and not to the credit of the Accountant, and that payments out of Court should be made by orders signed by some competent officer or the Colonial Treasurer, I am directed to invite you to consider whether this system might not conveniently be introduced.
of the
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
W. H. MARSH,
Colonial Secretary.
P.S.---I am to add that the whole of the accounts of the Supreme Court from the commencement will be audited, and that in future a monthly audit of these accounts will be made.
present year