but because it would do so at the time and in the place where such alteration would apparently be least appropriate, namely when sitting in a Court of Judge, such as the one of the Members is a Judge who already has precedence over Officers on every other occasion here, and who might expect to retain such precedence at least whilst exercising judicial functions.
10 I doubt moreover whether such a provision would meet with any support in the Legislative Council to which body any amending Ordinance would have to be submitted. I therefore question the policy of proposing it, especially as the precedence already given to Officers of the Army and Navy of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, or its equivalent, has occasioned much comment and some dissatisfaction.
Gentlemen who have for many years served the Crown and who, in the case of the Colonial Secretary here, have frequently administered the Government of the Colony may perhaps be excused if they do not always regard with satisfaction a rule that obliges them to yield precedence to possibly a very junior Commander, if for the moment he becomes Senior Naval Officer.