TNAG-0196-FCO40-232-Judiciary-appointments-1970 — Page 37

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the submission derive in fact from reports by Sir Michael Hogan (as indeed do the commendations of Mr. Blair-Kerr) and we must assume

that a man of Sir Michael's integrity took all these points into

consideration in twice pressing the claims of Sir Ivo Rigby through

the Governor and the Acting Governor. In the circumstances I think

we ought to let seniority take its turn.

2. I might perhaps add that because of the difficulty of choice

between the two Hong Kong candidates we did explore the possibility

of finding a Judge elsewhere. As Mr. Carter says no officer in the

Colonial Legal and Judicial Service outside Hong Kong was good enough to be considered and the Lord Chancellor's Office told us that, in

view of the pressure of judicial work in this country the

Lord Chancellor could not agree to us drawing on the home judiciary.

3. There is I fear some urgency about completing this appointment

since Sir Michael Hogan is due to leave Hong Kong on 31 December and

the steps outlined in paragraph 2 of the submission will have to be

taken and completed before then.

WBL Monson.

(L. Monson)

15 December, 1969

Copy to the P.U.S.

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