Colonial Despatches

Referring to Your Lordship's Circular Despatch of the 14th September last I have the honor to forward a Sketch of the Badge which it is proposed to adopt in this Colony, to be emblazoned in the centre of the Flag to be flown by the Governor—in accordance withthe the Order in Council made at the instance of the Admiralty. The badge is the Crest of the Royal Arms, a Lion on the Crown. I must however observe that the utility of the change proposed appears to be doubtful. The Flag hitherto authorized for use by the Governor on ship-board or in boats is a White Flag with a Crown, or Arms of the Colony, in the centre, and was known to be personal to the Governor; and could not be mistaken for an Admiral's Flag. But the UnionJack Jack has always been flown at Government House, at Public Buildings, and Forts in every Colony in which I have resided, as the National Ensign. Is it now to be understood that the plain Union Jack is no longer to be so used? If so the Nation will be without a common National Ensign. The Navy fly one Ensign, the Naval Reserve another, the Merchant Shipping a third. While there will be as many varieties of the Union Jack as there are Colonial Dependenciesand and Departments in Her Majesty's service.