THE NEW CHIEF JUSTICE OF
HONGKONG.
His Honour W, Meigh Goodman, K.C., whose appointment as Chief Justice of the Colony in succession to Sir John W. Carring- ton was recently announced, took his seat on the Bench for the first time yesterday at the Supreme Court, and received the congratula- tions of the Bar upon the occasion.
The Chief Justice was accompanied on the Bench by His Honour T. Sercombe Smith, Acting Paisne Judge. Those present were the Hons AG. Wise (Acting Attorney-General), Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, Messrs. F. A. Hazeland (Police-Magistrate), E. H. Sharp, T. Morgan Phillips, C. A. D. Melbourne (Magistrates' Clerk), F. X. D'Almada e Castro, F. C. Barlow, E. A. Bonner, F. B. I. Bowley (Crown Solicitor), H. F. R. Brayne, G. K. H. Brutton, F. B. Deacon, V. H. Deacon, H. L. Dennys, P. W. Goldring, E. J. Grist, J. 8. Harston, J. Hastings, J. Hays, H. K. Holmes, H. Hursthouse, G. C. C. Master, E. C. Pontifex, J. F. Reece, M. J. D. Stephens, O.D. Thomson, 8. W. Tso, Wei On, C. D. Wilkinson, C. Ewens The following officers of the Court were present: -Messrs. J.W.Norton Kyshe (Registrar), J. W. Jones and C. J. Xavier (Acting Deputy Regis trars), Leo d'Almada e Castro (Acting First Clerk of the Court), A. B. Suffiad (Acting Second Clerk of the Court), J. Dyer Ball (Chief Interpreter), Li Hong Mi (Assistant Interpreter), "V. A. Sales (Clerk and Usher), F. Howell (Head Bailiff), J. Leonard and J. F. Rozario (Assistant Bailiffs), Leung Tsan (Shroff), and G. Thomas (Librarian)..
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL said-My Lord, as this is the first occasion on which you have taken your seat on that bench efter your appointment to the post of Chief Justice, the members of the legal profession in the Colony thought it would be proper and fit to come here this morning and congratulate you on that appointment. My Lord, you are not a stranger to us. Somewhere about twelve years ago, you came here as Attorney-General, and, I think I am correct in saying, on three occasions during that term of years you have acted as Chief Justice. Also, I believe you have acted as Colonial Secretary, which, although it has nothing to do with our profession, at the same time, if one might put it in that way, has given you an insight into what I might call the internal economy of the Colony. After such an experience, it must be subject of congratulation to us, and, I may say, to the whole Colony, that a gentleman has been appointed as Chief Justice so well versed in the laws and customs of the place. Before you came here, as I gather from the Colonial List, you were Attorney-General and Chief Justice of British Honduras; and I think I may say that sixteen years ago you were a Chief ...Justice. That seems to me, to sum up the whole matter, to show that no better man could be appointed than yourself; and it therefore simply falls on me to tender our congratulations to you the heartiest congratulations of the legal profession-and in doing so to express ...our firm conviction that you will worthily maintain the dignity of your high office in the same way as your predecessors in Hongkong have done..
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
The Court adjonrned sine die.
[April 7, 1902.
friends. The twelve years that I have spent Ryrie was President. The late Highlander, among you, as Attorney-General, have made whose name in his day was a household me a believer in Hongkong and its future. word in Hongkong, was in reality the father On all sides one is met by the unmistakable of our Society, and Auld Scotland never marks of energy, of enterprise and industry; gave birth to a more worthy son. Each and, when occasion arises, one finds there of the three Past Presidents has contri- is no lack of kindness of heart and practi- buted to the welfare of the Society, and cal generosity among the Colonists. In so assuredly they will be very greatly missed. cosmopolitan a community, there must nat- Barring the heavy legacy of insanitation bequea- urally be many difficulties which confront thed by the system of Crown Colony Government, those whose lot it is to govern and to legislate which can scarcely be regarded as abreast of for the requirements of the Colony; there must the needs of the times, Mr. David Gillies, who be, in the ordinary course of things, many was President of the Society from 1883 to 1894, interesting problems, legal and otherwise, which leaves Hongkong in the full bloom of prosperity, require to be carefully worked out and solved. with every prospect that it will become still more But one, at least, of the essential factors in the prosperous and will occupy in the near future well-being and progress of any community, is a more important and a far greater position the even-handed and honest administration of than it has ever dole in the past. In various justice. I believe that the judges of this directions there is tangible evidence that Colony have not only striven to administer the foreign trade in China, with her vast natural law fairly and impartially to all, but they have undeveloped resources, is yet still in its in- striven with such success that there is a very fancy. (Applause). The first docks in Hong general feeling among the people of all races kong were founded by a Scotchman, and we and classes that in our Courts they do, and will, are gratified to think that the great Hongkong obtain not only a patient hearing, but a just and Whampoa Dock Co. is virtually the off. decision. It must always be remembered that spring of another Scotchman. Mr. Gillies a judge can only decide upon the facts brought mater ally aided in bringing its docking faciti- before him. The presentation of those facts ties into existence, and these are unsurpasted in depends much upon the integrity and industry the Far East. Mainly through his indomitable of the gentlemen of the legal profession. It is pluck, perseverance, intellectual force, dogged not the part of an honourable and upright lawyer determination, iron will, and shrewd business to encourage litigation among an Eastern com- capacity, the Company is now firmly established munity who are perhaps somewhat ignorant of on a substantial foundation and in the enjoy British law. It is rather his duty to consider ment of robust maturity, with every prospect of the true interest of his client and to make his further development and continuous prosperity. own interest subservient to that. That I believe In that great industrial establishment which to be the professional code which the members now includes engineering and shipbuild- an endur- of the Bar and the solicitors of Hongkong set ing, Mr. Gillies leaves with us before them as the right and proper standard ing monument, with which his name will of conduct. I feel quite sure, gentlemen, that ever be honourably and inseparably associated. I shall not count in vain upon your cordial (Applause.) Mr. Fullarton Henderson has assistance and support in my endeavours, accor- been for a long period of years closely connected ding to my ability, to carry on the judicial with various branches of the busin ss of the traditions of this Bench and to hand them on port, he has ever taken an intelligent interest untarnished to my successor when my tenure in local affairs, and as President from 1895 to of office is at an end,
1896 he was one of the most popular officials the Society ever had. As President of the kindred society known as Yo Cronies," founded by our genial and irrepressible friend, Dr. Jamie Cantlie-(1ughter and applause)-he has scored many a success. Mr. Henderson is a man of generous instincts, and with his large fund of Scottish wit and humour 'he has been a great acquisition in the social life of Hongkong. Many a time and oft have his numerous friends derived a no ordinary intellectual treat from listening to his unique post-prandial oratory and eloquence unequalled in the Far East. We sincerely hope his visit to the anld country will speedily restore him to his wonted health and strength, and that at no distant date he will come back amongst us, if only for a short spell. (Applause.) A warm and a most cordial welcome will await him on his return. Mr. Stewart Lockhart distinguished liimself at one of our best Scottish schools and at the Edinbur, University. By persevering study and a great capacity for taking pains, be has raised himself to his present high position. He was President from 1896 to 1897, and leaves us soon to take up his official duties as first Governor of Weihaiwei-the sanatorium of North China, as it has b en recently described in Parliament. Speaking of Weihaiwei in the House of Lords on the 10th ult. Lord Onslow said: It is hoped that in Mr Lockhart's hands Weihaiwei will be made to yield a much larger Your Lordships will recollect revenue..... that Hongkong was in very much the same position as Weihaiwei is to-day. it has proved to be a very important commercial port, and Weihalwei has the advantage of being on the highway from the Gulf of Pechili to Northern China." Mr Lockhart's long ex- perience of Hongkong will stand him in good stead, and if any one can do so he will in] due course bring about a realisation of Lord Onslow's expectations. Mr Lockhart's has been a pro- minent name in the House of Commens and in the leading English newspapers during the past two months, and we Hongkong Scotobmen who know him well do not doubt for one moment that Weihaiwei will be but a step- ping stone to a more important Governorship. 录露 born for (Applause.) Robert Burns was
and through his writ-
S. ANDREW'S SOCIETY.
PRESENTATIONS TO PAST PRESIDENTS.
An important coremony took place on the 29th ult, in the City Hall, when the members of S. Andrew's Society met to do honour to three of its Past Presidents on the occasion of their leaving the Colony-Mr. David Gillies, Mr Ful- larton Henderson, and the Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary). The Hou. Y. H. Whitehead, President of the Society, presided, and in addition to the above there were present Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving, Hon. A. M. Thomson, Messrs. G. C. Anderson, Andrew Forbes, David Wood, W. Douglas Graham, Wm. Kidd. D. R. Law, J. L. Houston. D. E Brown, Robert Shewan, T. H. Beid, W. A. Cruickshank, O. D. Thomson, M. Stewart, R. J. Gerrard, J. F. Boulton, I. Grant Smith, W. B. Dixon, W. Parlane, J. Macgregor Forbes, W. Danby, R. B. Moorhead, Dr. Rennie, Dr. Gibson, and many ladies.
¦
•
Yet
Hon. T H. WHITEHEAD said --Ladies and fellow Scots, we are met to-day to bid adieu and to fervently wish God-speed to three of the Past Presidents of 8. Andrew's Society. The occi- His LORDSHIP said-Mr. Attorney-General sion is an unique one, and fully warrants our and gentlemen, Allow me to thank you most assembling together to try to do honour to sincerely for the very kiad words which have these stalwarts, who have indelibly written their been addressed to me by the Attorney-General names on the history of the Society. (Applause.) on behalf of the Bar and the other members of We Scotsmen entertain "a guid conceit" of the legal profession. It is but natural that I ourselves, but perhaps 'tis well we should do so should appreciate very highly the honour for reasons which need not now be entered into. which has been conferred upon me by myTis a poor heart that never rejoices," so appointment to the Chief Justiceship of this many of you may probably agree that so long Coldry, and I can only hope that I may be
89 Scotland produces men
of the bodily be, hemile. I hold this office, to walk worthily physique and the mental calibre of our in the footsteps of the distinguished judges three Past Presidents there is some reason who have heretofore presided in this Court It to believe that Scotsmen may continue to try is now rather more than 16 years since I was
to hold their own wherever energy, persever first appointed Chief Justice of another Colony; ance, and industry are qualifications required to and during the four years I held that office, as
contribute to success in life. (Applause.) Time well on the three occasions when I have forbids me to attempt to enter into any detailed been called upon to act as Chief Justice of reference to the many virtues and manly quali. Hongkong, T always experienced inuch con- ties of these Past Presidents who are soon going suduration and kindness from the members of from among us. They have resided here for Ba and the legal profession generally. I many years, and each one of them became not come to this Bench as a stranger to the original members of the Society when it was all ambers of the legal profession or to Hong-regularly constituted in 1881, from which year ings our immortal Bard has done more than all kong and its people. I feel that I am among until 1892 the lamented Honourable Phineas others put together to stir into life and to keep
mankind,"
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