The Colonies and India from London, Greater London, England • Page 11

MARCH 2,1895 THE COLONIES AND INDIA missioner of Lagos. This is not the first time that Mr. Richards has occupied the position of Chief Justice, fojf whenever Mr. Smith has gone on leave he has been called upon to fill the vacancy. This showsjthe advantage of the West African service, where many young officials get opportunities of gaining experience which in after life is of the greatest value to them.

Colonel Cardew, the Governor of Sierra Leone, has left Freetown on his long tour into the interior, accompanied by Captain Barker, A.D.C., Captain Compton, the Commander of the Colonial steamer, and Canon Taylor Smith. The journey is expected to last for about two months, during which the greater part of the interior district will be visited. Meanwhile, His Excellency has taken the somewhat unusual course of appointing the officer commanding the troops, Colonel Bosworth, to be Deputy -Governor during his absence, lit was formerly the custom to nominate the Colonial Secretary as Deputy-Governor during the absence from Freetown of the Governor, but, although Major Crooks, who, by the way, is as much at home in the office of Acting as he is in the Colonial Secretary 's office, is in the Colony, he has been superseded by another officer. Captain Moore, the Adjutant of the Sierra Leone Frontier Police, lias been seriously ill for some time past, but sufficiently recovered to leave the Colony by the Bunny, and is now in England recruiting his health. Mr.

J. A. McCarthy, the Queen'sJAdvocate of Sierra Leone, is still in London awaiting the of the Secretary of State regarding his case, which has now occupied so long a time, extending over several months. It certainly appears unjust to allow a simple decision to drag itself into months, and to keep an official suspense for so long a period. Captain R.

L. Bower, Travelling Commissioner of Lagos, who recently arrived in England on well earned his present relief from duty, having for some time past been employed in the interior of the Colony, where he rendered exceptionally meritorious services in a difficult and delicate position. In consequence of Captain Denton having become Acting Governor of Lagos, the duties of Colonial Secretary have devolved upon the Queen's Advocate, Mr. G. Stallard, who has been connected with the service Colony for the past seven years.

As a lawyer he has shown considerable ability, and will no doubt acquit himself equally well in the office he now occupies temporarily. Sir Francis Fleming, the Governor of Leeward Islands, met on Monday, at the offices of the West India Committee, several gentlemen connected with and interested in those Islands. Among those present were the Hon. Captain J. H.

Hardtman Berkeley, M.L.C., of St. Kitts Dr. Freeland, of Antigua Mr. Lee (of Lee, Crerar Mr Marshal, and others, and various matters of pressing importance in connection with the affairs of the Colony were discussed. The question of central sugar factories was considered at some length, and the different points having been put before the Governor, His Excellency made a few observations which quite satisfied the Colonists present that he will devote practical attention to the suggestions given him as soon as he takes up the reins of government at Antigua.

Says the Pall Midi Gazette, the new Governor of the Leeward Islands, Sir Francis Fleming, is succeeding one of the best governors who have ever ruled the Leeward Islands, and as there is some discontent out there just now, he will find it necessary to go along very cautiously for a time, at all events. It will be curious to see how long Sir Francis will remain at Antigua, for he has quite a reputation for moving about. Second Lieutenant A. T. de M.

Martin, of the West India Regiment, lias been appointed a Lieutenant, vice H. A. Hill, promoted. Last week's Gazette contained the official' announcement 61 the appointment of Mr. Barry Langhorne Thompson as Administrator of the Island of St.

Vincent and its dependencies, We reported this appointment soiiie little tiiue 1 ago. Mr Thompson has been for some time Chief Secretary to the Government of Cyprus, and although his promotion in the present instance has surpiised a good many people, it iB generally known that he is a man of considerable administrate talent, and he will no doubt do very well in St. Vincent. The Gazette also announces the appointment of Mr. Charles Messervy, Director of Public Works in the Windward Islands and Colonial Surveyor of the Island of St.

Lucia, as an Official Member of the Legislative Council of the Island of St. Lucia. Mr. H. L.

Thompson, accompanied by Mrs. Thompson, left England on Wednesday last for the scene of his duties. Mr. Granville Ponsonby, Chief of the St. Lucia has left the island on four months' leave of absence.

Mr. Fred. Evans, C.M.G., who succeeds Sir Neale Porter in the Colonial Secretaryship of Jamaica, has arrived in that Colony from Antigua, and assumed the duties of his new ott.ee. Prior to leaving Antigua, the following resolution was unanimously adopted at a meeting of the Legislative Council, at which Mr. Evans was 44 That the members of the Council desire to place on record their appreciation of the services of Mr.

Frederick Evans in this Council, and of his unifoim courtesy to all the Members of the Council. They also desire to congratulate the hon. gentleman on his well-earned promotion, and wish himself and family success and happiness in the new sphere of labour." Now that Mr. Fred Evans has given up the duties of Colonial Secretary of the Leeward Islands, the duties, pending the appointment of a successor, have devolved upon the Hon. C.

E. Mercier, the Auditor-General who has on several previous I occasions undertaken them. Mr. Mercier was originally in the Imperial Civil Service, and became connected with the. West India Service 15 years ago, when he was appointed Uar- bour Master of San Fernando, Trinidad.

Five years later, on the office of Auditor-General of the Leeward Islands becoming vacant, he was selected for the office and has retained it up to the present time. Mr. W. D. Auchinleck, Treasurer of Antigua, acts as Auditor-General of the Leeward Islands in place of Mr.

Mercier, and Mr. M. D. B. Eldridge as Treasurer of Antigra vice Mr.

Auchinleck. Sir Ambrose Shea, the late Governor of the Bahamap, has recently been the recipient, through Mr. Austen Chamberlain, M.P., on behalf of in that Colony, of a piece of plate consisting of a tea and coffee service with a massive salver, in recognition of the signal services he rendered to the Colony during his recent Governorship. The Inspector-General of Police of British Guiana- Colonel E. B.

Mclnnes, CM. has aimed in England on leave of absence. The gallant officer is well-known to West African officials, having been Inspector-General of the Gold Constabulary prior to going to the Went Indies, which iorco he reorganised, and left in a thoroughly efficient condition. Previous to joining the Civil Service, Colonel Mclni.es had a most distinguished career in the Army, and took part in the famous march of General Lord Roberts from Cabul to Candahar. He is proud of being a Scotchman, and may, when performing his duties in Demerara, occasionally be met with dressed in a kilt, much to the astonishment of the natives and The Hon.

A. E. J. Hcnniker-Major haw recently been appointed Assistant Secretaiy in England to the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.

Mr. Henniker-Major, who was an Assistant Private Secretary to Lord George Hamilton a.