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Only recently a case occurred in which Mr. Seth exhibited the greatest stupidity in taxing a bill according to my directions. To a certain extent it was a matter of appeal; but he was apparently so stubborn that the parties had to come to me at least three times about it. I at last wrote a minute that if Mr. Seth could not or would not understand my direction he was to take the advice of Mr. Lee-Jones. After that he taxed the bill properly. But I should without hesitation, if the occasion had required it, have ordered Mr. Lee-Jones to tax the bill. It can hardly be contended that that is a matter on which I should not have interfered.
Your Excellency says "the Chief Justice has not claimed that he can distribute the work in the Registry". That with respect is precisely what I have claimed; and the power to do so is referred to in Sir Nathan's letter of 24th June, 1905, with regard to the Clerk of the Chief Justice. My contention is that, except where the appointment to a certain office is expressly derived from the Governor, the details of the work in the office are left to the Registrar, but the ultimate control lies with the Judges. Part of the work of the Deputy Registrar is attendance in Court. This is normally...
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