familially termed "the popular element" to the extent contemplated by the plan under discussion, and, in putting forward that plan originally I regarded myself as acting
under His Excellency's instruction and carrying out his views. Now it is now in perfect unison with
the following paragraph from M Labouchere's Despatch of 23rd November last, calling for further information before final decision on
the scheme proposed:
They (i.e. Her Majesty's Government) "are not as yet prepared to assent to
the opinion that such a change as you have suggested would at the present time conduce to the better Government
of the Island, or the increased contentment of its inhabitants."
By the Charter of the Colony the Governor at his discretion, may act in full opposition to either Council, and this provision, after all, reduces the Council to the position of a consultative, not an administrative, body.
Considerable amount of misapprehension exists on this head. It is done that the Council has a "species of immediate control over the revenue
raised in the Colony by taxes upon the inhabitants, and over its expenditure", but that such control "does not
extend to funds derived from the property of the Crown":
At the present moment therefore