§ MR. JONES-PARRYasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it he a fact that Mr. W. L. Selfe, called to the Bar in A. D. 1870, has been appointed to the County Court Judgeship which includes the towns of Cardiff and Newport; if Mr. Selfe has had considerable or any practice at the Bar; and, if it is the fact that he held the office of Secretary to Lord Cairns.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)The Lord Chancellor has made this appointment, not from any political or personal grounds, but solely because he regards Mr. Selfe as a gentleman who is fully qualified to fulfil the duties attaching to the office of a County Court Judgeship. Mr. Selfe has practised as a conveyancer and equity draftsman for 12 years; he has been engaged as assistant editor of the Revised Statutes, and in the office of the Parliamentary counsel, when engaged in preparing Bills, gave proof of great ability. The Lord Chancellor has also made inquiry from others as to Mr. Selfe's qualification, and I am permitted to read a letter from the Master of the Rolls, in which he says—
I knew Mr. Selfe years ago; he is a very clever man, and, in my opinion, qualified for a higher position than that of a County Court Judge.It is true that Mr. Selfe was for a short time Secretary to Lord Cairns, which afforded some proof that he was possessed, not only of ability, but also of discretion and tact—qualities to be sought for in a County Court—but while the Lord Chancellor did not make this any ground for the appointment, he did not look upon it as any disqualification.