§ MR. HOPEsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary for the Colonies, Whether or not he is in possession of any information bearing upon a statement which has been made that an Electioneering Agent has been appointed a Justice of the Peace in one of the Australian Colonies, he being at the time, and having continued after his appointment to be, a hired servant in the employment of a resident in the district for which he has been appointed such Justice?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, that no information had yet been received at the Colonial Office on the subject alluded to by the hon. Member. These subordinate appointments were not submitted to the Home Government, who had no control over them. He believed, however, that the Colonial Government of New South Wales had already under consideration whether they could not guard these appointments against party and political influences.