§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies—(1) whether the Government of South Australia made a request for an early intimation when any fresh viceregal appointment was contemplated in that Colony; and (2) will he explain why this request was not complied with in the recent appointment of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, in view of the fact that the Government of South Australia pays the whole of the salary of the Governor on whose appointment they are in no way consulted? I hope it will be understood that in the asking of this question no exception is taken to the appointment?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONAs regards the first question, the request referred to was made in January 1894. The request was made in order that the Colonial Government, which was anxious to economise, might have an opportunity of urging that the appointment should be deferred for a time. But as Lord Kintore's term had more than a year unexpired when the request was made, it was unnecessary then to consider the application. The wishes of the Colonial Government have been, however, substantially met, inasmuch as, before the newly-appointed Governor (whose appointment has, we understand, been received with general satisfaction in the Colony) assumes office the Governorship will have been vacant for about six months.