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noted for their integrity, learning and fine spirit of public service. Some of them notably Sir John Smale, had serious quarrels with the Government but when sitting in Court, one and all were scrupulously honest," Eminence set off with motley " has never been the robe in which Justice has been clothed in the Hongkong Supreme Court.
One of the most distinguished Judges in local legal history was Sir Fielding Clarke who came here from Fiji, in 1889 and left for Jamaica in 1896.
Born in 1851, educated at King's College, London, and called to the Middle Temple in 1876, Sir Fielding Clarke entered the Colonial Service and came to Hongkong after the retirement of Sir James Russell. For some time he was Puisne Judge and while filling this position, was appointed to a Commission to inquire into the question of the original squatters in the Colony. The Commission's terms of reference were wide, and the inquiry dragged on for a considerable time. He was appointed as far back as 1882, to revise the Laws and Ordinances of Hongkong.
On March 23, 1892, Sir James Russell in a very poor state of health, proceeded home on leave and Mr. Fielding Clarke (as he then was) became acting Chief Justice. One of the most important cases to come before him about this time was that in which Edward Littlefield Woodin, Superintendent of the 2nd O. Company in Hongkong was charged with embezzlement, falsification of accounts and forgery. Woodin was sentenced to six years' imprisonment with hard labour.
Sir James Russell resigned on account of ill-health when he reached England, and on June 11, the Government Gazette notified that Her Majesty, the Queen had been pleased to appoint Mr. Fielding Clarke to be Chief Justice.
In congratulating the new Chief Justice, the Attorney General said that the Colony considered the appointment to be the very best that could possibly have been made, and that the legal profession cordially endorsed the appointment.
The honour of knighthood was conferred on Mr. Fielding Clarke in the New Year Honours of 1894 and on the first occasion that the Court sat - January 3 - members of the Bar and solicitors were in attendance to congratulate His Lordship. Speaking on that occasion, the Attorney General (Mr. Goodman) said
"We feel it an honour.....which has followed naturally and in the usual course of things, upon the highly meritorious career of your Lordship."
Late in 1895, Sir Fielding Clarke received notification of his transfer to Jamaica and it was announced that Dr. John Worrell Carrington would be his successor.
On January 14, 1896, members of the Bar and solicitors practising in Hongkong gathered in the Supreme Court to bid Farewell to the departing Chief Justice. The following tribute was paid by the Attorney General (Mr. Goodman).
"May it please Your Lordship We are met here on this occasion for the purpose of expressing to Your Lordship on behalf of the members of the legal profession in this Colony, our sincere regret that you are leaving us, and our high appreciation of the able, impartial and independent manner in which you have discharged the important duties of your high office. A few years ago, Sir James Russell, who was your deeply respected predecessor, left our midst, and he did so under the shadow of an illness, which compelled him to retire and which soon afterwards
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