General Branch, Registered No. B/634,
Latter from the Governor of Mauritius.
Testimonial from V. ESNOUF Esqr., Master of the Supreme Court.
Mauritius, Colonial Secretary's Office, 3rd July 1866.
SUPREME COURT OF MAURITIUS, MASTER'S CHAMBERS,
MR. EDWARD ACKROYD have been 14 years Chief Clerk in this office.
10th May 1881.
He has been since 1866 under my constant observation, and I have great pleasure in testifying he has always discharged his duties with zeal and ability.
I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo, applying to be appointed Master of the Supreme Court, and in reply to state that His Excellency is well aware both from the usual channels of public opinion and from the confidential Reports of Mr. Temple, of the indefatigable and able manner in which you have fulfilled your duties as Clerk in the Master's Office since your promotion to that appointment rather more than two years ago.
His Excellency hopes that a fitting opportunity will occur for testifying the approval of your conduct by the Government, but he feels it his duty on the present occasion to appoint Mr. Esnoufant, having obtained an exhibition at Common Law and a Certificate of Honor of the first class. He was called to the bar in June 1872 by the Middle Temple, of which he was a distinguished member, and has for some time past acted gratuitously as Substitute Master, to the vacancy caused by Mr. Temple's unexpected demise.
The enclosure to your letter is herewith returned.
EDWARD J. ACKROYD ESQ.,
Chief Clerk, Master's Office
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most Obedient Servant
EDWARD NEWTON
Colonial Secretary,
Port Louis.
Letter from the Colonial Secretary and acting Governor of Mauritius.
portunity of acquiring the knowledge required for holding a higher judicial position.
Many of the technical and difficult duties of this office have at times devolved upon Mr. Ackroyd.
On several occasions he has filled the office of Substitute to the Master and he was twice appointed Acting Master.
In the discharge of these important duties he has shown an extensive knowledge of law and has exercised a wise discretion in applying it. He has on these occasions given satisfaction to the authorities and the public.
Mr. ACKROYD has at times held the office of District Magistrate and filled that post with credit. He has during his long service gained great experience and his legal acquirements and abilities fit him for any important judicial office.
From my long acquaintance with Mr. Ackroyd I can state that he is a faithful and deserving public officer and I should see with pleasure his long services, efforts and abilities crowned with a suitable recompense.
My dear Ackroyd.
GOVERNMENT House,
MAURITIUS, 10th November 1881
V. ESNOUF,
Master, Supreme Court, Mauritius.
I have much pleasure in being able to state that since my connection with the Civil Service of the Colony upwards of fifteen years ago, I have always heard you spoken of by your immediate superiors as being remarkable for the industry, solicitude, and intelligence with which you performed the duties of the successive important and responsible posts you have filled.
When therefore I last year selected you to take charge of one of the largest districts of the Island as its Magistrate, I did so in full confidence that the public would be well served, as I well knew that the high examination which you passed as a Barrister of the Temple rendered you peculiarly fit for the arduous and difficult judicial functions you would have to discharge.
I am pleased to say I was not mistaken and I have every reason to know that you have discharged your duties to the greatest satisfaction to the Government as well as the Public.
I shall be most happy to hear that you have obtained a higher appointment elsewhere, though at the same time I shall extremely regret that Mauritius will be deprived of so devoted a Public Servant and so learned a Magistrate as yourself.
With my very best wishes for your prosperity.
I am, Very sincerely yours,
EDWARD NEWTON, (Colonial Secretary & Acting Governor of Mauritius)
Copy.
Hongkong.
No. 138.
SECRETARY OF STATE TO O.A.G. HONGKONG.
DOWNING STREET,
30th July, 1887.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Sir William Marsh's despatch No. 152 of 25th April, and to state in reply that I shall have much pleasure in making a note of the favourable testimony borne by Sir William Marsh to the services rendered by Mr. E. J. Ackroyd.
I have &c.
Officer Administering the Government
of Hongkong.
(Signed) H. T. HOLLAND.
(True Copy)
FREDERICK STEWART,
Act. Colonial Secretary.
572