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His known impartiality, fairness, independence, and strong common sense, and would probably in all matters on which there was a difference of opinion among the members, carry the majority with him, but if there were a decided majority against the view taken by him, and he was unable to persuade that majority by argument, he would, I presume, as Chairman give effect to the wishes of the majority, and record his own views if he thought it necessary. Is it not perhaps possible that the words used by His Honour the Chief Justice may have been misunderstood.
I am afraid that a Committee composed of four, as indicated in your note of 20th ultimo, would not accomplish the purpose for which it was asked by the Unofficial Members of Council and by the public, and granted by the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, viz:- a searching investigation into the organization and working of the Government departments, and into the Colonial Expenditure generally, with a view to ultimate retrenchment. In the face of the declared opposition of His Excellency the Governor, and of the Honourable the Colonial Secretary, to such a Commission and investigation, the Committee should, I still think, consist mainly of persons unconnected with the Government service; and what objection there can possibly be to a Committee so composed I am not able to conceive, as they can only report, and recommend,- nothing more.
If His Excellency cannot see his way to the appointment of such a Commission as was unanimously asked for by the Unofficial Members, I am very sorry that I feel prevented from taking part in the proceedings of a Committee so composed that while barring the way to a more effective enquiry