COURTS(16)
ILLUSTRATION
265
COURTS(17).
Previous articles have dealt with the history of the Supreme Court, tracing its different locations, and the present site was decided upon.
The laying of the foundation stone was ceremoniously observed on November 12, 1903, but the occupation of the new premises did not take place until January 15, 1912. The formal opening of the new Court was an imposing affair, and the Chief Justice of that time took the opportunity of referring somewhat cathingly to the architecture of the building and the long delay in its construction.
It is interesting to find in the report of the proceedings a number of names of people present who still reside or have recently been resident in the Colony.
I base the following report on extracts from the S.C.M. Post of January 16, 1912:
The formal opening of the Courts of Justice in Statue Square took place in the presence of a distinguished assemblage. Undeterred by the unpropitious weather, many ladies were present. General Anderson and Mrs. Anderson were accommodated with seats in the Jury Box in the Chief Justice's court, in which the opening ceremony was held. Practically all the members of the legal fraternity in the Colony were present, among them being the Attorney-General, the Hon. Mr. Rees Davies, the Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock K.C., Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, Mr. M. W. Slade K.C., Mr. H. L. Dennys, President of the Hongkong Law Society, Mr. J. Scott Harston, Mr. H. G. Alabaster, Mr. E. Potter, Mr. C. E. H. Beavis, and Mr. G. ... Woodcock. Others present included Mr. J. H. Kemp, Crown Solicitor, Mr. J. W. Lea-Jones, Deputy Registrar, Mr. P. M. Hodgson, Assistant Crown Solicitor, Mr. G. Wakeman, Official Receiver, Mr. G. H. Fletcher, Registrar of Trade Marks, Mr. C. D. Wilkinson, Mr. M. J. D. Stephens, Hon. Dr. J. M. Atkinson, P.C.M.O., His Excellency Major General C. A. Anderson and Mrs. Anderson, Hon. Mr. H. T. Hallifax, Registrar General, Mr. J. R. Wood, Director of Education, Mr. R. Crofton, Capt. F. J. G. Agg. K.O.Y.L.I., Mr. H. B. Suffiad, Clerk to the Chief Justice, Mr. Alim Khan, Clerk to the Chief Justice, Puisne Judge, and Mr. N. Noland, First Interpreter, a large number of the general public, and a fair sprinkling of ladies.
Their Honours the Chief Justice, Sir Francis Piggott, and the Puisne Judge, Mr. Justice Gompertz, ascended the dais shortly after 1 o'clock to await the arrival of His Excellency the Governor. Almost immediately His Excellency entered, and was greeted by their Honours and conducted to his seat, the Chief Justice seating himself on his right and Mr. Justice Gompertz on the left.
The Registrar of the Court, Mr. Hugh Nesbit, then entered and read the following proclamation:
"Frederick John Dealtry Lugard, Governor.