used for the purpose for which it was used by the Governor of the Colony, and it has been so used for a number of years past. I can only re- peat that I have been on terms of great intimacy with the Roman Catholic clergy, and also the people at the Asyle de la St. Enfance, Had the former any complaint to make they never had any hesitation in mentioning it to mo, and from the time the room was opened to the time of His Excellency's arrival I have not heard one single word of complaint, nor has any complaint, I be- lieve, ever been laid before the Governor. Con- sequently it is rather I would not like to call it hard--but on consideration Ithink His Excel- lency will perhaps modify the remarks he has made with reference to that house and its use for the purpose for which it was appointed.
Com-
The GOVERNOR-With reference to the house referred to there is not an Order in Council, but I apprehend that the Registrar-General, who at the period might not have been my hon. friend, ruust have had some voice in a matter of that kind. The examination of these women is under this Contagious Diseases Ordinance, and we know the Registrar-General is the person on whom the Government relies for its being carried out. I am sure the Council will feel it is a painful subject to touch upon, but the ladies who were in the Asyle de la St. Enfance were not persons who thought it desirable to make any plaint. They thought it better to quietly sub- mit, and so they shut up the front of their house, involving a loss of light and air. Now it is all altered. I refer to the matter, be. cause in the last letter I received about Welling. ton-street this was referred to. It was the Bishop's secretary who wrote to me an official letter which reached me through the Colonial Secro- tary's office; he desired to thank me for having effected this reformation, and as well as I remem ber, he also expressed some satisfaction at steps taken to improve the state of things in Wellington-street. If it was not done then I have since received information that some in- provement has been effected since then.
The CHIEF JUSTICE-I have had more experience certainly, next to my hon. friend (Mr. May) opposite, with reference to the Registrar-General's department, than any one in the Colony, and I cannot think that carelessness or indifference can with any propriety be applied to any one who has at any time, as far as 1 know, filfed the office. of Registrar-General. It has been a most valu- able office, and I think it due I should take this. opportunity of saying that has been the general. character of the office. There aro geveral words here which would almost imply that there was a general indifference with regard to the particular question referred to. Perhaps I may say I have greatdoubts how women of that sort living quietly as kept women, and keeping themselves in that position, can be dealt with so as to be repressed and driven from one street into another. I do sot know myself how that is to be done. I wish there were laws in this Colony that persons of disreputable character should not occupy certain streets, but in London we know that it so exists. and I dare say your Excellency knows the fact that a very eminent judge when about to be married took a house and afterwards found he had taken a house adjoining the residence of one of these ladios. Tho lady remained; he had to remove. That was a judge of the very highest character. With regard to personal attacks, your Excellency has not yet arrived at my emi. nence in that respect. I had the bonour ones, I think on two following days, to have it announced in this Colony that it was the opinion of the two newspapers in this Colony that the Governor would not do his duty if he did not suspend me. Well. I outlived that, and a great inany other things. Of that kind of attack I can speak with feeling, but it is a feeling rather of indif- ference than anxiety, but I am quite sure whoever that is pointed to will feel that it is not so very distressing, and I certainly do hope something may be done in this small Colony, where cortainly we do see a great deal not at all satisfactory for ladies to witness, to reduce it within some limits. confess myself not to have been one of those who would have roted for that Contagious Disesses Aot. But that is another matter. It is an institution here, on representations which then existed, but if these women. residing in Wellington-street had been found beckoning to any one of these priests it would have been his duty, as it seems to me, to have brought her to justice. And I believe every body would have sympathised with any priest who brought up a woman who a dressed him in that way, and therefore if that has existed it ought to be put down. I don't see, as a lawyer, how quiet women, living openly with men, though in an immoral way, are to be dealt with by the law, or how it could be made other- wise without stringent legislation which I should he glad to see.
The Appropriation Ordinance was then passed. The GOVERNOR-At the next meeting we havo
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