CO129-389 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1912 [3-4] — Page 89

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C

Confidential.

Enclosure No.

C O 8933

87

I do not know how far the work in the raised-

ments or the Federated Malay States corresponds with that of the Pulsne Judge in Hongkong. My knowledge of Mr Hazeland's work as a Judge is limited to the period

during which he acted as Puisne Judge here. I found

him capable, and so far as I could judge he did his

work in Summary Jurisdiction satisfactorily; this work

is within his grasp; but he is not a very profound lawyer, and is somewhat indolent in his habit of thought, though

when a point of old law turns up he is quite diligent

in unravelling it. But I cannot say that he was of mach

assistance to me when he sat in the Full Court, and

was rather prone to "agree". But in judging whether

he is fitted for a judicial post in another Colony

it would be important to bear in mind that the Puiene

Judge in Hongkong sits in the Full Court, and that we

have very long and intricate cases to deal with,

many of which very abstruse points of law often arise.

If the appointment in the other Colony did not involve

this kind of work, but was limited to ordinary Nisi Prius work I think Mr Hazeland might be entrusted with

it; but on the other hand with the Court in Hongkong

constituted as it is I think a better appointment could

be made,

in other words, if the appointment in the

Straits corresponds with the Hongkong Puisne Judge I

do not think he would be fitted for it.

in

26th, February, 1912.

(sd) F.T.PIGGOTT.

Chief Justice.