LETTER, GOVERNOR'S CLERK TO SEPTIMUS BURT, RE QUEEN'S COUNSEL APPOINTMENT

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Simpson, CY

1901

Overview

Typed letter on white paper with a black border and 'Governor of Western Australia' crest printed at centre top. From the Governor's clerk to Septimus Burt confirming his appointment as Queen's Counsel will be presumed notwithstanding the death of Queen Victoria. Dated 22 May 1901. The Warrant of Appointment as Queen’s Counsel would be automatically extended for 18 months following her death and steps would be taken within that time to preserve its operation for the future. The text is on the front page of a single sheet of paper with a vertical bi-fold.. The black border is only on the front page.

Historical information

Captain Sir Arthur Lawley, by whose authority this letter was written, was Governor of Western Australia 1901-1902

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-46-1976.67

Item type

Documents

Material

Ink

Paper

Width

200 mm

Height or length

330 mm

Contextual Information

This document is an example of administrative processes occurring throughout the British Empire in the months following the death of Queen Victoria (January 1901); this one pertains to formally extending an honour that had been made in her name.
It is interesting to note that George Throssell (Premier of Western Australia 15 February - 27 May 1901) had already issued (possibly preemptively) a Letters Patent three months earlier on 27 February 1901 on behalf of the Crown, naming Septimus Burt as King's Counsel.
This document from 22 May 1901 is complete and in original condition and is representative of the ongoing adherence to English legal traditions in Western Australia into the 20th century. It demonstrates the continuing regard of Burt in the West Australian community.

The Honourable Septimus Burt KC (1847-1919), son of Sir Archibald Paull Burt, was born in St Kitts Island (formerly known as St Christopher in the West Indies) and came to Western Australia in 1861. S Burt became a prominent lawyer, politician and grazier. His political work was central to the achievement and development of the Western Australian constitution as the first Attorney General after self-government was achieved. The Hon Septimus Burt rejected knighthood and offers to be a Supreme Court Judge.

Keywords

Place made

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Year

1901

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance