OHAP. XI] ' HONOURS 1303
of the Judicial Committee, in order to strengthen it in dealing
with Australian appeals. The same dignity has been conferred
upon the Chief Justice of the High Court of the
Commonwealth, Sir Samuel Griffith, who was made a Privy
Councillor in 1901.
In the case of the Union of South Africa, the Chief Justice
has been created a Baron, and the Chief Justice of Canada
is usually created a member of the Privy Council, besides
receiving the honour of Knighthood, or the K.C.M.G.. as
Administrator of the Government.
In addition to the Privy Councillorship, the highest honour
which can be conferred on any British subject, the normal
modes of rewarding services to the Empire in the Dominions,
are those conferring membership of one of the classes of
St. Michael and St. George, which was instituted originally
in 1818, in connexion with services to the Crown in Malta and
the Tonian Islands. The Order as now constituted ! consists
of the Sovereign, who is chief of the Order, the Grand Master,
who is the Prince of Wales, and Knights Grand Cross, not
to exceed 100, of which number 30 are assignable for foreign
services and are disposed of by the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs. There are 300 Knights Commanders, of
which 90 are disposed of for foreign services, and 725 Companions,
of which number 217 are assignable for foreign services.2
The entry to the Order is as a general rule through
the lowest class, the Companionships, and the great majority
of appointments to the high Orders conform to this rule ; in
several cases, however, the possession of a C.B. or of a Knighthood
has been considered sufficient to justify the grant of
a K.C.M.G., without requiring the grant of a C.M.G. The
grant of a G.C.M.G. without a previous grant is extremely
rare, but Sir Wilfrid Laurier was granted a G.C.M.G. in
1897, as a signal mark of the royal favour and a recognition of
his great services to Canada.
In addition, the creation of Knights Bachelor is not rare.
Agents-General and Judges normally receive this honour,
! Under various royal warrants.
There are honorary members also, foreigners so appointed.
