I am heard by the Chief Justice, while
the functions of the Occident Judge are generally confined to presiding at the Summary Jurisdiction Court, or, in a case where the Magistrates have no civil jurisdiction, to deciding
Measure,
all the
trivial disputes which arise amongst Coolies and small Chinese traders.
As I have performed the duties of Chief Justice almost continuously since 1882, I naturally find
work of this nature
rather irksome,
and I should be very grateful if Your Lordship could restore me to my former position.
I may perhaps be allowed to remind
Your Lordship that the Chief Justiceship of Fiji, when I was
appointed to it in 1885, was
among
the best judicial appointments in
the
service, and that I left it
with the greatest
reluctance a year ago
in consequence of the necessity of permanently reducing the salary by £500 per annum.
The
value of my present
stipend appointment
was then
£250 per annum
less than my salary in 1885. Among Chief Justiceships
which might fairly be deemed
equal in value and position
to that of Fiji
on its old footing,
are those of Natal and Gibraltar
should a vacancy
in either of which occur, I
should most gratefully accept, especially the latter on account of the proximity of Gibraltar to England.
I have the honour to be
Your
My Lord
Lordship's most obedient servant
(Sgd) Frederick Clarke Acting Chief Justice
Hong Kong
My Right Honourable
Lord Knutsford
Colonial
Secretary of State for the Colonies.