Excellent advertisement, & greatly assist him in his other practice.
I would like to ask him to consider whether it might not be advisable, if a vacancy arises, to abolish the post of Crown Solicitor.
If they had a competent Attorney General, no doubt much of the work now done by the Crown Solicitor would be done by him satisfactorily.
It might be advisable to appoint a Solicitor selected ad hoc in each case, paying him the fee. Probably, the Solicitor selected would be induced to do his best by the hope of being employed again.
I think it will be in pursuance of Bowby's Tenancy that abolishing be put to the test for approval of the office at the Justices.
So we have nothing to say for we are not prepared to grant this increase in view of the fact that he has just been granted an allowance for clerical expenses & a special bonus for special work.
Refer to C.Poi 25 at once, Sir, M. N Pinapal sex 30 as jeand CP No.152.
Hongkong.
Government House, Hongkong, 11th April, 1904.
I have the honour to transmit for your favourable consideration the enclosed copy of a letter from the Crown Solicitor regarding the emoluments of his post.
2. Mr. Powley states that under existing circumstances he is compelled to utilise the services of the Staff employed by his firm for the discharge of the duties devolving upon him as Crown Solicitor; and from my own knowledge of the work which he is called upon to perform I have no doubt that such is the case.
3. I am of opinion that the arrangement suggested by him in the last paragraph of his letter is reasonable, and I have to submit it for your approval, coupled with the conditions that Government will only undertake to recognise it during Mr. Bowley's tenancy of office, and that he alone will be held personally responsible for all the work sent to him on behalf of the Government. He would not therefore be relieved of any responsibility in the event of mistakes being made by his Assistant.
4. If sanctioned with effect from January 1st next, the arrangement will necessitate an increase of $2,600.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P.,
800.
EcC...
(with