temperament "can lead to some impairment of judicial qualities on occasions". His reputation of "leaning somewhat against the police and the prosecution" is mentioned. If the reputation is justified it is indicative of an unjudicial attitude. The 1954 report by the Chief Justice of Nyasaland (flag B) in fact
criticised Sir Ivo's attitude to the prosecution and the police.
4. On the basis of the assessments we have, it seems to me that the appoint-
ment of Sir Ivo Rigby as Chief Justice would entail risks, for the reports indicate that he is in some degree deficient in each of the main qualities that
are desirable in a Chief Justice. I need not particularize here, but I can
explain the risks more particularly in discussion if desired. Promotion might, of course, have a stimulating effect on Sir Ivo and help him to overcome the
shortcomings referred to in the reports.
5. Mr. Justice Blair-Kerr (see his promotions file)
There is no need to comment on Mr. Blair-Kerr's earlier reports. It is sufficient to say that the Chief Justice's very good report of 1969 (flag F) follows on naturally from an unbroken series of favourable reports which give the clear impression of a man who got off to a good start and has steadily increased in stature ever since. The impression one derives from the reports
as a whole is neatly epitomized by the Chief Justiceunder "General remarks" in Part II, head 8 of the 1969 report and on that report it is really very
difficult to fault Mr. Blair-Kerr on any qualities that one looks for in a potential Chief Justice. It is true that theChief Justice says that Mr. Blair-Kerr "occasionally ruffles some feathers by frank speaking but, so far as I can see, does not do so without justification and is not given to creating friction", but I do not read this as a criticism but rather as a statement of fact. Frank speaking on a proper occasion can be healthy. It will be observed that the Chief Justice assesses Mr. Blair-Kerr as suitable for accelerated promotion and
that has been his assessment since 1966.
6.
The Governor (paragraph 9 of his letter) endorses the Chief Justice's commendations of Mr. Blair-Kerr. He does, however, in his careful assessment mention one or two factors which might conceivably be om the debit side -
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