§ DR. R. M'DONALD (Ross and Cromarty)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether John Taylor, Sheriff Clerk of Cromarty and bank agent there, is also factor and legal adviser for John Shaw M'Kenzie, esquire, of Newhall (a gentleman now over ninety years of age); whether the said John Taylor, in his capacity of Sheriff Clerk and servant of the Crown, is now or has lately been issuing and recording the warrants of ejection, and for the sale of the effects of the tenants of the said estate of Newhall; and, if so, whether Mr. Taylor can legally hold these offices together; and, whether he will ask him to resign the office of Sheriff Clerk of Cromarty?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR) (, &c.) ClackmannanI am informed that Mr. Taylor is factor for and private legal adviser of Mr. M'Kenzie, of Newhall. It would, no doubt, be his duty as Sheriff Clerk to perform the Ministerial act of issuing and recording such warrants as are described. The emoluments of the office of Sheriff Clerk of Cromarty are £78 a-year, and it would, of course, be impossible to require that an officer with so small a salary should be debarred from taking factory or general business. I assume, however, that he does not practice in the Court of which he is Clerk; but I shall inquire as to this.