[Sir Robert Herbert, first premier of Queensland, Australia.] Typed Letter Signed to S. H. Gatty, marked as ?Confidential?, asking whether Mr. Justice Cook, Puisne Judge in Trinidad is to your knowledge in the habit of drinking to excess?.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The item is from the Gatty papers. (Herbert is writing to Gatty in Trinidad, and it is Gatty who will be appointed in place of the subject of the letter.) 1p, 8vo, on good laid paper. In good condition, but with creases from having been folded into packet (not through signature). A good looking item, with ?Confidential? in left-hand margin. Reads: ?Sir, / I am directed by Lord Knutsford to ask you to be so good as to inform him confidentially whether Mr. Justice Cook, Puisne Judge in Trinidad is to your knowledge in the habit of drinking to excess. / Any information or particulars which you may give with respect to Mr. Cook?s habits will be for Lord Knutsford?s guidance only and will not be quoted outside of this Office. / I am, / Sir, / Your obedient Servant, / [signed] Robert Geo Herbert?. Hazell?s Annual for 1893 reports that ?In consequence of complaints as to the general administration of justice in Trinidad and Tobago, and specific charges of inebriety and incapacity against Mr. John Cook, senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court, a commission consisting of Sir W. Markly, K.C.I.E., and Sir Frederick Pollock, was sent out to inquire into the state of affairs (March). Their report was to the effect that the charges against Mr. Justice Cook had been in substance proved and that further serious charges against Sir John Gorrie, the Chief Justice, were well founded. The two judges left the island while the inquiry was proceeding, and their places were afterwards filled by Mr. S. H. Gatty, Attorney General, and Mr. Justice Lamb, second puisne judge, whose place was taken by Mr. W. L. Lewis. Sir J. Gorrie died Aug. 10th.?