§ MR. LANEasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements had been made for filling Chief Justice Onslow's position during his absence from the Colony of Western Australia; had the Secretary of State for the Colonies considered several declarations as to the dissatisfaction felt in the Colony at the manner in which Mr. Leake acted upon former occasions; and had he taken any steps to prevent any appointment being made which would give occasion for similar dissatisfaction?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East ToxtethNothing definite is known at the Colonial Office as to Chief Justice Onslow coming away from Western Australia. The declarations referred to by the hon. Member are, I presume, the ex parte statements sent by him to the Secretary of State, who read them and referred them to the Governor for his consideration. The responsibility of selecting 1032 the person in all respects best qualified to act as a Judge of the Supreme Court in the temporary absence of one of the Judges must rest with the Governor; and the Secretary of State cannot undertake to decide what arrangement may at the time best conduce to the proper and efficient administration of justice.