as being in fact a pirate ship, and the coolie was discharged.
He even advocated the abolition of Chinese emigration from Hongkong. When he went on leave in 1887 the Aborigines Protection Society presented him with an address, thanking him for his exertions in checking the oppression of coolies. It is read, however, that opportunity was taken of this in Hong Kong to urge the Chief Justice's retirement, as he had by then become most unpopular in certain circles.
Knighted in March 1874, Sir John Smale was the first Chief Justice of the Colony on whom such an honour had been conferred, and the practice of giving a knighthood to Hong Kong's substantive Chief Justices seems to have dated from his time.
The many brushes the Chief Justice had with members of the legal profession, Court officials, and press reporters, extended over most of his career locally, and his retirement in 1881 was hailed with general relief. Yet he did a great deal of good, and took much interest in local affairs, such as education and betterment of the police force. He died in August 1882, at the age of seventy-seven.
989
On receipt of news of his death, the succeeding Chief Justice, Sir George Phillippo, said he thought the Court should be adjourned as a mark of respect to the late Chief Justice, which was accordingly done.
The chronicler notes of Sir John Smale, that he served for some time as Attorney-General of the Colony, "in which capacity he rendered eminent service to the Government, more especially in connexion with matters arising out of the American Civil War and the maintenance of neutrality. He also practised with much success at the local Bar.
"Upon the death of Chief Justice Adams in 1866, Sir John Smale was elevated to the dignity of that office, which he retained until his departure in April last year. He had therefore been resident in Hongkong for no less than twenty years and had occupied the judicial Bench for fifteen years. During his long tenure of office he disposed of thousands of suits and criminal trials.
"During his occupation of the office of Chief Justice he had frequent differences with the officers of the Court, and he was somewhat lacking in the qualities necessary to maintain the dignity of his high office. According to the local records of the time, it is said that Sir John Smale was naturally of a temperament singularly impulsive and energetic, and never succeeded in sinking the man and his natural propensities in the Judge; the consequence was that from time to time objectionable and occasionally disgraceful scenes were presented in court.
Sir John Smale was certainly one of the most interesting personalities of Old Hongkong.