Government House.
24 September 1906
My Lord,
I have the honour to inform your Lordship that Sir Henry Spencer BerkeleyKC, has attained the age of 55 on the 6th September last, requested on the 5th instant to allow him to retire at once on the pension due to his service. He proposes to practise privately at the bar in this Colony and stated that he would be willing to act as Attorney General on half pay, after his retirement, pending the appointment of his successor.
2. As it did not seem advisable to me that the work of the Attorney General, which normally occupies the whole of one man's time, should be combined with private practice, if such an arrangement could be avoided, I am appointing Mr. Meighan, Puisne Judge, to act as Attorney General, Mr. G. H. Kemp, at present acting as First Magistrate, to act as Puisne Judge, and Mr. Haselwood, Senior Police Magistrate, to act as Police Magistrate. Mr. C. Bellingham, First Clerk in the Magistracy, to act as Senior Police Magistrate.
3. Mr. Seccombe Smith, who for the last 14 months has served with much ability as Colonial Secretary, and whose former appointment is that of Assistant Colonial Secretary, has asked me to bring his name before your Lordship for consideration in connection with the filling of the vacancy in the office of Attorney General. Mr. Smith's qualifications for a legal post were communicated to Mr. Lyttelton in my Confidential Despatch of 10th December 1904,4 to which I beg to refer your Lordship. To what I then said, I can now add from my intimate personal acquaintance with the applicant that he possesses great energy and decision of character and combines with general ability a good knowledge of law, which by constant study he keeps well up to date.
4. I am aware that the post of Attorney General is not one of those crowned ... to Civil Service, but as Senior posts reserved for this Colony have unavoidably been filled from outside, it would be appreciable if on this occasion of a competent officer being available in the service, the post of Attorney General could be given to him.
5. Should, however, your Lordship not see fit to give effect to this recommendation, I trust that it will be found possible to select a practising barrister of good standing in England to take charge of the office of Attorney General.
6. I shall be obliged if your Lordship's decision in the matter can be communicated to me by telegram.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant,
Matthew Nathan,
Governor.
The Right Honourable
The Earl of Elgin K.G.
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