No. 21

I have the honor to acknowledge Your Grace's Despatch
No 10 of the 10th of February last, transmitting for my
report, a letter from Mr Charles Walkem respecting his sons
claim to be admitted to the Bar of British Columbia, and
complaining that the presiding Judge (Mr Begbie) had
refused to admit him to plead in the Supreme Court of the
Colony because he had not previously passed the Bar in England.

2. I beg in explanation to observe that on Mr Justice
Begbie's first arrival in the Colony he adopted mutatis mutandis,
the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Civil Court
of Vancouvers Island framed by Mr Justice Cameron strictly
in accordance with the Order in Council, constituting that
Court; from a conviction the former then entertained, that a
similar practice prevailed in Her Majesty's other Colonies,
and that it would not be proper for him to depart from an
established precedent.

3. By that Order in Council no one could be admitted to
practice in the Supreme Court of Vancouver Island, excepting
Barristers and Attorneys from England, Ireland and Scotland.
When the Court of British Columbia was constituted the
practitioners of the Court of Vancouver Island were admitted
to practice there also, and have since availed themselves of
that privilege on behalf of any Clients, who retained their
services.

4. This state of things has continued until lately,
without any complaint on the part of the public; but I see
no reason why Colonial Barristers or Attorneys, provided
they be of good character, and properly instructed in English
Law, should be excluded from practising in the Courts of
British Columbia, and I have therefore called Mr Justice
Begbie's attention to the propriety of making such amendments
in the Rules of his Court, as may render such persons eligible
for admission, and I have no doubt that Mr Walkem on producing
satisfactory credentials will be admitted to practice as soon
as such rules are framed.