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New Zealand Tablet, 21 January 1915, Page 36

King’s Counsel have the great Bacon as the founder of the order. He had no inclination to be made a ‘ Serjeant,’ and persuaded Queen Elizabeth to appoint him ‘ Queen’s Counsel Extraordinary.’ James I. granted to Bacon a patent, confirming his status as * one of our counsel learned in the law,’ as K.C.’s are still officially designated. - An annual salary of £4O was originally attached to tho position, and was received by all ‘ silks ’ down to 1831, when Parliament abolished the salary, together with the allowance for stationery and bags. The receipt of a salary by K.C.’s meant that they had accepted an office of profit under the Crown, and those who were members of Parliament had to seek re-election,