in the business of such an Office, would probably conduce to the quicker despatch of business, and to ultimate economy."
I submit to Your Lordship, with great respect, that the common sense, practical, and equitable view of this question lies in the mean between the opposite extreme opinions held by the Colonial Department in 1867 and in 1883 respectively. That mean is recommended in my despatches Nos.39, 85 and 86 of the present year. In common with the Executive Council, I think that in the office to which the conduct and custody of the correspondence of Governor with Her Majesty's Government and with the Naval and Military Authorities, is entrusted, not fewer than two out of the six clerks, ought, for obvious reasons, to be Englishmen, unconnected with the native community; on whose reticence and fidelity confidence can, therefore, be placed; and who can speak and write correctly English, the only language used.
* It will be recollected that in the clerical staff of this Colony there are only 12 Englishmen out of 89 persons employed.
Page 450
Page 451