23 MAY 1868, Page 2

Chief Justice Bovill has appointed his son, recently a Lieutenant

of Dragoons, a Clerk of Assize on 1,0001. a year. The appoint- ment attracted attention in Parliament, and on Monday Mr. Childers inquired if Clerks of Assize had any legal duties to per- form ; Mr. Fawcett threatened to move the abolition of the salary, and Mr. Gladstone demanded a searching inquiry. Mr. Disraeli, of course, repeated the old excuse that such appointments are appanages of great officials, that the patronage is part of their pay, but ultimately consented to the inquiry. It seems that a certain amount of legal knowledge is required, but not more than any educated man could pick up in a short time. The end of the matter will probably be a considerable reduction of the clerks' salaries.