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Continuation.
In
proved fatal to him. We are indeed thankful that the circumstances under which you are leaving us are so widely different. You are going on promotion to another Colony where your judicial abilities will find a wider scope than in Hongkong. In that new sphere, My Lord, you will doubtless find many friends, or make many friends. But, My Lord, permit me to tell you that though they may be more numerous, they will not be more sincere than those you leave behind you here. It remains only for me, on behalf of the professional gentlemen around me, to wish you a hearty farewell, and we trust there will be many years before you of prosperity and welfare, and we trust you will find your new duties congenial to you.
Sir Fielding Clarke was Chief Justice at Jamaica, until 1911, when he retired and settled down in Essex. He died on July 30, 1928.
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In Saturday's issue I gave a brief sketch of the career of His Lordship Sir Fielding Clarke, Chief Justice in Hongkong from 1889 to 1892. I propose to deal with the career of his immediate predecessor, Sir James Russell to-day.
After graduating as Bachelor of Arts at Queen's University, Ireland in 1863 James Russell was appointed a Cadet in the service of the Hongkong Government. In 1867 he was official Government Interpreter and in 1868, private secretary to the Governor Sir Richard MacDonnell. On April 1, 1869, he began a legal career which was eventually to bring him a knighthood and the high post of Chief Justice. When Mr. Russell Goodlake resigned in 1869, Mr. Russell became acting Second Police Magistrate. He occupied this post until 1872, when he went on specially extended leave. During his leave, Mr. Russell studied for the Bar and took his LL.B. degree and gold medal at the Dublin University in consideration of which he was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn. On his return to the Colony, he was gazetted Coroner in the place of Mr. Lister.
In 1874, Mr. Russell became acting Registrar-General but returned to the Police Court in the following year. Professional bailers came under his notice almost immediately and on August 17 he refused to accept as sureties two Chinese who had volunteered to bail out another Chinese of whom they knew nothing. The bailers said they had consented to advance the money on the representation of earned considerable commendation for his attempts to stamp out this practice.
When Mr. Bramston vacated the office of Attorney General in 1876, Mr. Russell was temporarily appointed to the post. Three years later, he took his seat on the Supreme Court Bench for the first time. When Chief Justice Smale went on leave, the Puisne Judge, Justice Snowden took his place and Mr. Russell became acting Puisne Judge. On two occasions in later years Mr. Russell again acted as Puisne Judge.
In 1883 Mr. Justice Snowden, after a severe illness died in Hongkong and the Governor immediately appointed Mr. Russell (who was then Colonial Treasurer and Registrar-General) to the post. In the following year, the Chief Justice, Sir George Phillippo went on leave and Mr. Russell acted in his place for the first time. In 1886 and 1887 he again filled the post of Chief Justice temporarily.
The public services of Mr. Russell were recognized in 1888, when he was honoured with a Companionship of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George.