Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 103 of the 6th of December enclosing a copy of an "Act to appropriate Twelve hundred pounds Sterling per annum from the General Revenue of the Colony for the Salary of a Chief Justice," and stating the reasons which had inducedyou you to withhold your assent pending the decision of Her Majesty's Government upon the Act.

The Legislature having thus made provision for the Salary of a Chief Justice, I shall now proceed to the selection of a member of the English Bar to fill that office. In order however to remove any doubt as to the meaning of the 2nd Clause of the Act, the Royal Warrant authorizing the appointment of that functionary will authorize his appointment only during pleasure and having reference to the peculiar wording of the Law, itwill will be advisable to enact expressly that nothing contained in it shall give the Chief Justice any greater interest in his office than during Her Majesty's Pleasure.