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of various kinds that will affect alike both Government and Community.
The present arrangement has existed for nearly forty years, and, if not wholly satisfactory, opinion goes, a clergyman of the Church of England has saved much needless worry in all respects, matters both to the Government and to the Community.
3. The Home Government, for reasons appearing to itself strong and urgent, has determined that the time is now come to cease providing for the religious needs of the subjects of the Queen in this Colony, belonging to the English Church. And yet, much as it might seem to be desirable to sever the Government in this place from all connection with Christianity (for this is what the action amounts to), I do not see how the local Government can continually dispense with the services of a clergyman to perform Christian rites. The Gaol and the Hospital are both entirely Government institutions, and spiritual ministrations in them by a clergyman of the Church of England are still, I should think, considered a necessity by public opinion. I cannot imagine that the Government intends to cast off all responsibility with regard to these things.
No doubt the private zeal and good feeling of whatever clergyman happened to be here would not allow a probable lack of service on the part of the Government in these particular respects.