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6. If it is your Lordship's intention that Mr. HOвSPOOL should fill the position of a superior Officer I would suggest that he should be called Deputy Super- intendent rather than Assistant Superintendent, otherwise, in the Attorney General's opinion, it will be necessary to amend the Ordinance.

But if Mr. HORSPOOL ceases to be a Subordinate Officer he will of course lose the privileges accorded to Subordinate Officers under Ordinance No. 14 of 1887, such as the right of having a free passage home or the right to retire on a pension after five years' local service.

7. I enclose copy of a letter which has been received from Major DEMPSTER in reply to the communication made to him. In this letter Major DEMPSTER asks that he may be allowed to retain the post of Adjutant until his term of Military Service expires in this Colony, which I understand will be about the month of March next year.

If it is your Lordship's intention that Mr. HORSPOOL should become Deputy Superintendent of Police within the meaning of Ordinance No. 14 of 1887 so as to replace the Captain Superintendent in case of absence, &c., I doubt whether Major DEMPSTER Would himself like to be under the orders of one who has hitherto been a subordinate to him in the same force. If, however, your Lordship contemplates Mr. HORSPOOL remaining a Subordinate Officer while merely bearing the title of Assistant Superintendent there would probably be no great objection to Major DEMPSTER retaining his post of Adjutant until the period mentioned, more particu- larly so if no Chief Inspector be appointed for the present.

8. Your Lordship will notice that at the end of his letter Major Dempster refers to the conditions under which he was appointed Adjutant and I understand that what he says is correct, viz.: that Sir GEORGE BOWEN did fix the salary at £300 a year, but that in consequence of free quarters being provided it was reduced to $100 a month.

9. I may add that so long as Mr. DEANE is acting as Colonial Secretary and Major-General GORDON as Captain Superintendent of Police, Major DEMpster will probably continue to fill the post of the latter as Acting Superintendent of the Victoria Gaol, for which he will receive half salary in addition to his salary as Adjutant of Police the duties of which post he is also performing.

10. Mr. HORSPOOL has written to ask that the proposed changes in the Police Department should take place as soon as possible, but in presence of the circum- stances I have above alluded to I do not feel able to sanction their being carried out before the date I have already mentioned.

11. I should be glad to hear, if possible, by telegraph whether your Lordship sees any objection to Mr. HORSPOOL being called Deputy rather than Assistant Superintendent, presuming, of course, that it is your Lordship's intention that he should no longer continue a Subordinate Officer under Ordinance No. 14 of 1887.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient,

humble Servant,

F. FLEMING.

The Right Honourable

LORD KNUTSFORD, G.C.M.G.,

Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.