t.
H
I
5000
566
have been Chief Justice, and the members of the bar have felt the strain of continuous sittings in Court tell upon
thom, more especially in the hot weather. The question of
putting the Long Vacation on a more satisfactory footing
had often been discussed, but nothing had been done. In
the summer of 1907 however, the three leading Counsel
decided to take a long holiday, and on the autumn
all of them went awry for periods of 2 to 4 months, with
the result that the Court was idle for 3 months. I took
this opportunity of going on leave myself, which was
absolutely necessary to recruit my health.
It seemed to me that in these circumstances my duty ras
clear, and that the opportunity should be taken of discus-
sing the question of the Vacations and putting it on a
satisfactory basis. Meetings were held in my Chambers at
hich the Bar and the Committee of the Tow Society rere
present; and after much discussion the conclusion was
unanimously arrived at that the Long Vacation should be
fixed at 2 months, and the other Vacations slightly
increased. To this the Bar agreed, and they undertook to
abide by it. The Solicitors had objections (which I shall
deal with presently) but in view of the great advantage
to the public of having the matter put on a permanent basic
the promiscuous absences of Councel being put an end to,
and in view also of the fact that I was willing to make
some additions to "Vacation business", they waived their
objections, and a friendly understanding wes cone to. I
thereupon made the Order in virtue of the power conferred
on me by Ordinance No.5 of 1898, and forwarded it to His
Excellency the Governor on 7th December for submission to
the Legislative Council, requesting him at the same time
to support the motion for the approval of the Order.
I regret, necessary
5. In view of subsequent events it seens,
for me to say, that in acting as I had done, I was actunted
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