With reference to my despatch No. 24 of the 
11th January,
               I have the honor to report that 
Mr Needham still continues
               to act as a Judge of the Supreme Court
of
 of this Colony in Civil
               Cases though possessing no other commission than that under
               the hand of the late Governor, 
Mr Kennedy appointing him Chief
               Justice "of the Colony of 
Vancouver Island."  I do not in any
               way interfere with his proceedings in Civil Cases, and pay his
               Salary although I do not believe him to be a Judge of the
               Colony at all, much less its Chief Justice.