CO129-347 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [4-6] — Page 417

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414

Government House,

Hongkong, 21st. March, 1908.

I have the honour to acknowledge your letter

of March 16th., covering minutes which have passed between yourself and the Registrar. The perusal of these has as Your Honour surmised caused me much surprise and regret.

2.

In your letter dated 16th. March you con- -curred with your predecessor's view that the Registrar has the status of a Head of Department. That status can mean nothing unless it means that he is responsible to the Government for the work of his Department, and that it rests with him to take whatever steps may be necessary to arrange for the conduct of that work and to represent to Government any inadequacy of Staff or any other matter which in his opinion affects the efficiency of his Department. If this responsibility is taken from him he ceases to be the Head of a Department. Your Honour repeats in this letter your complaint of "the position which has been assumed by the Government towards the Chief Justice" and you add that the present "very crude breach of discipline" is the "natural but unfortunate outcome". I can only assure Your Honour in reply to this charge, as I have already repeated- -ly assured you, that it is my earnest desire to accord to the high office of the Chief Justice the fullest measure of respect and (whenever opportunity offers) to support its dignity and prestige. It is with great regret that I find myself in this instance compelled to differ from Your Honour's view.

I have etc.s

(sd.) F. D. Lugard,

Honour

The Chief Justice.

Governor,&c. .