one of the Police Magistrates (Mr. Stewart), acting Superintendent of Police, (M. Deane), was as Colonial Secretary; the acting as Colonial Treasurer; the proper posts of these officials being in turn filled by persons equally ignorant of the duties which had thus suddenly devolved upon them. The heads of public departments in all countries are, or ought to be, appointed on account of their special fitness for the places to which they are named; but of late it has been the exception rather than the rule in this Colony when any officer was found filling his proper office.
It is, of course, well known that Englishmen cannot preserve their health and vigour, often not their lives, in this climate without frequent change of air and scene. For example, it is stated on high medical authority that the valuable life of the late Mr. Justice Snowden was probably sacrificed owing to his neglect of the strong professional advice given him to take leave of absence. Under these circumstances, there must be frequent