TNAG-0196-FCO40-232-Judiciary-appointments-1970 — Page 48

CONFIDENTIAL

CYPHER/CAT A

IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

EELEGRAM NUMBER 884

CONFIDENTIAL

26 NOVEMBER 1969

PERSONAL FROM GOVERNOR.

YOUR TELEGRAM 752: CHIEF JUSTICESHIP,

I FULLY RECOGNISE THAT RIGBY HAS HIS WEAKNESSES AND LIMITATIONS,

BUT HE ALSO HAS CERTAIN VALUABLE QUALITIES INCLUDING A STRENGTH

OF CHARACTER WHICH WOULD BE OF CONSIDERABLE ASSISTANCE TO HIM

AS CHIEF JUSTICE. MOREOVER HIS POSITION AS SENIOR PUISNE JUDGE

AND HIS KNIGHTHOOD COMBINED WITH HIS STRONG PERSONALITY HAVE

GIVEN HIM A CONSIDERABLE STATURE IN THE COLONY WHERE THERE IS NOW,

BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE COURTS, SUCH A SETTLED AND ACCEPTED.

EXPECTATION OF HIS APPOINTMENT TO SUCCEED SIR MICHAEL HOGAN THAT

TO PASS HIM OVER IN FAVOUR OF A MORE JUNIOR JUDGE WOULD BE LIKELY

NOT ONLY TO CAUSE DISRUPTION AND TO SOME EXTENT A SHOCK, BUT TO

DRAW CRITICISM, FROM QUARTERS WHOSE SUPPORT AND CONFIDENCE IT IS

IMPORTANT TO RETAIN.

2. AS CHIEF JUSTICE, HE WILL NORMALLY BE SITTING IN AN APPELLATE

COURT TO WHICH HE IS, IN SOME WAYS, BETTER SUITED AND WHERE ANY

LACK OF INTEREST ON THE CIVIL SIDE WILL BE COVERED BY COLLEAGUES.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.51

26 NOV 1969

CHKK 14/25

LAST

REF.

24) 26

13. HIS

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CONFIDENTIAL