§ SIR ROBERT FOWLER (London)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he has countermanded the appointment of Mr. J. R. Maxwell as Chief Magistrate of the Gambia; whether he is aware that that appointment gave general satisfaction to the inhabitants; and, whether, in conformity with the request they have made through Governor Sir Samuel Rowe, he will re-consider his decision?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)I have not yet countermanded the appointment of Mr. J. R. Maxwell. I am not aware whether that appointment gave general satisfaction. I should add that Mr. 740 Maxwell is related to one of the two members of the local Bar; and that he was informed, before his appointment was actually made, that he would be transferred to another Colony if an opportunity occurred, in accordance with the settled practice and the Colonial Regulation, which lays down that in the case of the chief judicial and chief fiscal offices in a Colony in which the Crown is responsible for the appointments local connection with the Colony, by birth, family ties, or otherwise, will be considered, generally speaking, to render a candidate ineligible. As regards the last part of the hon. Baronet's Question, I may state that no request has yet been received from any quarter as to Mr. Maxwell's continuance at the Gambia.