CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7] — Page 260

F

256

August, 1885, when I left the Leeward Islands, and I held that

office until February, 1889, when I was elevated to the Beach es

Chief Justice. I had previously acted as Chief Justice for 14

months, (May, 1887, to July, 1888) during which period I also acted

as Chief Judicial Commissioner for the Western Pacific and, (from

December, 1887, to February, 1888) as High Commissioner for the

Western Facific.

5.

In February, 1889, I received the permanent

appointment of Chief Justice of Fiji and Chief Judicial Commission-

-er for the Western Pacific, which carried with it a dormant com-

-mission to administer the Government of Fiji and, under the

Western Pacific Order in Council, authority to administer the

affairs of the Western Pacific High Commission in the absence of

the Governor and High Commissioner. I held the office of Chief

Justice of Fiji from February, 1889, until the 2nd. of May, 1902,

when I was appointed to be Attorney-General of Hongkong.

6.

Under the dormant commission above mentioned

I administered the Government of Fiji on ten distinct occasions,

discharging at the same time the duties of Chief Justice of the

Colony. On eight of such occasions I acted without pay other than

such as was attached to the office of the Chief Justice and Chief

Judicial Commissioner.

7.

In 1899 I was by direction of the Secretary

of State appointed Assistant High Commissioner for the hestern

Pacific.

8.

In or about the same year I was appointed

under an Ordinance passed for that purpose special commissioner

to enquire into and report upon certain charges and allegations of

oppression and corruption in the administration of the customs laws brought against the Collector and certain other officers of the Customs of Fiji. For my report and recommendation and for the special service rendered gratuitously I received the thanks of

Governor