on other official members, for the Chief Magistrate generally followed in Mr. Anstey's footsteps and on more than one occasion (and without the slightest previous communication) vituperated the Government in strong terms. I have referred to the proceedings of the Surveyor General in reference to the Bowring Raye somance in which without any previous advice to me he followed the example of Mr Anstey and voted against the very Ordinance he had prepared and recommended. It appears to me absolutely necessary that the powers of the Legislative Council should be better understood and that the disposition as strongly manifested to encroach upon the functions of the Executive should be checked by some authoritative opinion of Her Majesty's Government on which subject I beg to refer specially to my Despatch No 116 of 30th August 1858 inclosing Mr Bridges' views on the matter.
The appointment of an Auditor General in the Colony as a distinct officer has undoubtedly been of great benefit and Mr Rennie has discharged his duties with thorough efficiency; but as the Auditor General is equally the servant of the Diplomatic and Colonial Departments receiving half of his salary
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