CO129-237 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [1-6] — Page 543

32

33

of a

a number of the leading merchants, at which meeting Mr Russell, the Acting Chief Justice, and the Colonial Secretary- were also present.

19.

I found that the unanimous opinion of those present consurred

with mine that the

licence in the case

of the

ordinary boatman was

altogether

a mistake, as

lessening the responsibility

of

of the headman, and as having no advantage

commensurate with the

537

hardship imposed by it. It was also the opinion of those present that the bostmen had in their own view made submission to the Government by bringing the boats back and renewing work, and that the delay in taking out licences was

a

simply due to Feeling of unsertainty as to the final decision of the -

Government