ML
On the Attorney General, who has embodied his opinions on the subject in the letter of which I enclose a copy. I agree generally with Mr. Vvidoes, but am strongly opposed to his propositions, the appointment of a Quorum Judge, an officer wholly unnecessary as the duties of the Chief Justice occupy too small a portion of his time.MIL
It is true, as Mr. Bridges says, great inconvenience is felt during the indisposition of the Chief Justice, but if the Puisne Judge or the Police Magistrate be an able Member of the Bar, the difficulty is got over by "placing him in the Bench on the recurrence of such a casualty. The objection to placing the Attorney General in the Bench in such event arises from the fact of his being almost necessarily concerned in all pending business, whether Criminal or Civil, and rather, in his disinclination to quit, for a time, the field of emolument at the Hong Kong Bar.
I concur in apportioning the sum of £2500 to the office of Chief Justice. Anstey's appointment on £1000 a year meets the suggestion for the Attorney General's stipend.
Of the two Stipendiary Magistrates, I would give the Senior £1000, and the Junior £800 a year. The objection at...
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