The question has been under serious consideration, not merely of myself but of my Executive Council, and the unofficial members of the Legislative Council. I believe that I correctly represent the opinion of us all in relating that a change in the Law, to make it clearer, and an actual reconstitution of the Courts, has now been proved necessary by the test of experience.
As however that conduct led Mr. Smale to give an... opinion on the proper interpretation of the Summary Court Ordinance, as now existing, and as what took place has therefore a close connection with the correct interpretation of the legal provisions to which in the enclosed correspondence Mr. Smale appeals, I subjoin a copy of the communication from Mr. Parnell tendering his resignation with its explanatory enclosures.
9. I have no hesitation also in saying that such conduct on the part of an Officer in Mr. Smale's position quite puts him beyond the pale of indulgent consideration for granting the indulgence, even if the moment which he sets had been more opportune than the present. All his collateral reasons, however, for claiming it are unsound.
10. Thus, for years unfortunately, the Supreme Court has never had so little business as latterly, and everything seems to denote that nothing but the direst necessity will induce parties to...