134

case in this and in other colonies when such an officer is procurable. Moreover as the Registrar is the taxing master, this is an appointment which in England is always filled by an experienced barrister.

Sixthly, I submit that as I have gone to great expense and trouble to read for the bar and as I was solely appointed Acting Deputy Registrar and Accountant in 1897 because I had passed for the bar, and obtained the substantive appointment in 1901 because, partly, I was about to be called to the bar and as the salary of the office is no great compensation in this colony for the work of a barrister, seeing my confrères earn $2000 per mensem in actual practice, it would be nothing beyond my just expectations to act as Registrar and to fill the appointment when it becomes vacant.

Seventhly, I submit that the arduous and heavy labours, out of office hours, at all times and seasons, to keep up with the work of this Department and the demands of the public, even working at home on Christmas day and other holidays is worthy of great consideration. The Jury List for instance could not have been prepared without such labour, and it has been my lot on many occasions to prepare this annual list.

Eighthly, I submit that as Mr. Kemp with less than 10 years service has attained to an appointment equal to my own, with more than 22 years service, his preferential claim has been fully recognized.

11. With reference to the qualifications necessary for the Head of the Registrar's office I would respectfully call your Lordships' attention again to Sir Michael Hicks Beach's despatch to which I have before referred. His Excellency states the qualifications as follows: -

The Head should be "a legal gentleman with a good professional knowledge of bankruptcy and mercantile business and acquainted with book-keeping; or some gentleman possessing similar qualifications"

And again in a Memorandum of the duties of the office of

(6)

Share This Page