§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether any despatch has been received by a recent Mail from South Australia, intimating that Mr. Justice Boothby (one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of that Province) has decided that all local Legislation of the Colony since 1850 is invalid, and has on that ground refused to administer one of such Acts; and, if so, what course Her Majesty's Government intend to take to remedy the evils which must arise from such a decision?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, in reply, that news to the effect stated by the hon. Gentleman, with respect to Mr. Justice Boothby, had reached the Colonial Office. But the decision of Mr. Justice Boothby was of the less importance, seeing that it was not concurred in by his two learned brethren, the Chief Justice and the other Puisne Judge. His noble Friend the Secretary of State, at the same time, was quite aware of the importance of setting any doubts which might have arisen on the subject at rest, and he had it in 1458 contemplation to introduce a measure with that object.