Colonial Despatches

Mr Elliot
I shd desire Mr Birch to supply the S. State with his report on this application. Is Mr Ball Acting Col: Secy and Stipendiary Magistrate, or is any body acting for him as Magistrate.

It is part of the Magistrates duty to collect the Revenue in his District. Mr Ball says he is responsible for the duty. He does not say he discharges it, & Mr Birch leaves us in the dark.

Mr Birch shd clearly have explained & recommended one thing or the other.

I shd ackne this dph & should observe that Mr Birch furnishes no explanation of the arrangements wh are made for the perfce of Mr Ball's duties as Stipendiary Magistrate (for wh it is alleged by Mr B. no fresh apptmt has been made) nor any explanation wh wd shew whether Mr Ball can properly be considered as performing the duties of two offices nor any explicit recommendation either that Mr Ball should or that he shd not have what he asks.

That under these circumstances Mr Cardwell is unable to sanction a compliance with Mr Ball's request.

Henry M. Ball, Acting Colonial Secretary, to Officer Administering the Government, 21 November 1865, making request as per despatch.

Draft reply, Cardwell to Acting Governor, No. 18, 12 April 1866.