VF for
Prione Judge h/s)
29 Ꮧ
Sie K. Roberts Wench.
Iham bun asked to ascertain
whudu yon consi du it nccess auf that a fila should be pichared for this Vacancy. (It will be a large one, su sheet inecouex náposite, ▷ the files will take some time to sreemble as many arı in eise.) Altun at wely ym may coidu that in view of the enclo. to (1) ► Miyonla's uxcellent uhorts • W. Youlds bromotion would be furtifix without fullu a do.
18/5/49.
MR. SHUTE.
I know it is troublesome preparing lists, but I think we should have one, including the names I have underlined in the attached note. I am rather uneasy about the disposition of Governments to press the claims of local men in disregard (I feel sure unintentionally) of the rest of the Service. It is going to be particularly difficult to withhold approval of this recommendation, since Mr. Gould has been acting as Puisne Judge for two years, and moreover, I believedging so efficiently. But this is one of the most highly Puisne Judgeships in the lonies, and how can we disregard for instance, Mr. Justice Smith in the Gold Coast, who has been on the Bench 11 years Mr. Lloyd Blood with 8 years, and Mr. Thacker with 11 years? These three, for various reasons, will probably just miss the chance of being Chief Justice. I have heard that Mr. Lloyd Blood is suffering from ill health and may have to retire, though it is possible that transfer from Africa to a more moderate climate would enable him to continue. Then there is Mr. H.W. Wilson of Trinidad, whom we have promised
Sir John Shaw to move if we possibly can; and he might accept Hong Kong. Finally, there is Mr. Lockhart-Smith, who has been in the Colonial Service for 25 years, and is one of the ablest lawyers I know, and the Chief Justice of Southern Rhodesia, whom I have never met, wrote to me in terms of high praise of Mr. Lockhart-Smith, who had been acting as Judge on the Court of Appeal He is anxious to obtain a Puisne Judgeship. He started his life in Hong Kong, and is, I believe
very keen to return there. Above all, I annet keda feeling if we want efficiency par excellence, he is undoubtedly the man.
If one of the others is to be chosen, I think we
/shall