Note 27 — Chapter XVI · THE ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council had been reorganised so as to constitute a competent Court of Appellate Jurisdiction for India and the Colonies. A certain number of judges was appointed to it, but the Act laid it down that it was necessary for a man to be a judge before he got one of these appointments. In November, 1871, Mr. Gladstone was desirous of promoting Sir Robert Collier, then Attorney-General. The Lord Chancellor accordingly made Sir Robert a Puisne Judge so as to give him a technical qualification, and then immediately appointed him to the Judicial Committee. It is only right to say that personally and professionally Sir Robert Collier was well qualified for the post.