I have the honor to forward to Your Lordship a Letter from 
Chief
                  Justice Begbie in which he renews his application for the
               appointment of Chief Justice of the Straits Settlements, which
               he is informed has now been resigned by 
SirPhilip Philip Maxwell
 Philip Maxwell.
               
               2.  It may not be out of place to mention that the promotion of
               
Mr Begbie as he desires may facilitate some of the official
               arrangements consequent upon Confederation.  I would suggest to
               Your Lordship for consideration, with reference to my Despatch
               N
o 147 of the 
17th ultimo, that in the event of 
Mr Begbie's
               removal, 
Mr Crease may be appointed Chief Justice, and that 
MrPhillippo Phillippo
               Phillippo
               Phillippo  the Attorney General  may then be provided for by
               promotion to the vacant Office of Puisne Judge.