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140
i.
occasion 1 protested against his action was, as far as I can
remember, when the Acting Colonial Secretary he commented upon
my English while at the same time seriously committing himself,
never thinking that sooner or later the papers would reach me
and in reference to which I had occasion to appeal to the
Governor.
18. But the reason for all this is not far to seek. On my
arrival in this Colony I had occasion to protest to the Secretary
of State against Mr. Smith being placed over me in the very
acting position he now holds again. He had been a candidate for
the Registrarship but was now recommended by His Honour Mr.
Justice Wise, my immediate predecessor in office and with whom
he had long been on terms of intimate friendship, to replace him,
and this arrangement has since been repeated on the same recom-
mendation.
19. More on this subject I do not wish to dilate, except to
state that paragraphs & and 10 are irrelevant to the matter at
issue, quite apart from being a gross perversion of truth and 1
deny the allegations therein contained in toto. The fact of Mr.
hise having been consulted in this matter by kr. Sercombe Smith
as set out in paragraph 9 of his letter together with what is
contained in paragraph 18 above, will I hope be borne in mind
when this matter is considered.
20.
Moreover the expression "it may not surprise Your Excel-
lency" at the commencement of paragraph 9 of the letter in
question is enigmatical, and i most respectfully demur to as
detrimental to the writer, conveying some ulterior motive and
meant to prejudice.
21. On the whole i submit that Mr. Sercombe Smith was wrong
in endorsing the process of the Court for a departmental enquiry
that I could not in reality produce my authority being immediate
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