OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 223 



He may give titles to crown lands. He has also power to appoint 

 fairs, marts, markets, ports, harbours, bays, and havens. 



The person who succeeds, in case of the death or absence of the 

 Governor, is the Lieutenant-Governor, and next to him, the Commander 

 of the Forces. 



The Executive Council consists of four persons holding office in the 

 colony 



1st. The senior officer of the Forces. 2d. The Bishop of Australia. 

 3d. The Colonial Secretary of New South Wales ; and 4th, the Colo- 

 nial Treasurer : the two latter for the time being. These are appointed 

 by letters patent, under the great seal. It is a council of advice and 

 restraint, and the matters on which they are to be consulted are 

 especially mentioned in their commission. 



The Legislative Council consists of fifteen persons, including the 

 Governor, seven of whom hold offices under the government, and 

 during royal pleasure, viz. : 



1st. Chief Justice. 2d. Bishop of Australia. 3d. The Commander 

 of the Forces. 4th. The Colonial Secretary. 5th. The Attorney- 

 General. 6th. The Collector of the Customs. 7th. The Auditor- 

 General ; with seven others who do not hold offices, but are nominated 

 by the crown. 



As is truly said in the colony, they are governed by the royal pre- 

 i ogative, exercised in the person of the Governor. 



The rules for his guidance, and that of all colonial officers, are 

 issued by the Secretary of State, and are to be found in a pamphlet 

 form, under the title of " Colonial Rules and Regulations." Great 

 complaints are made in the colony that these are altogether one- 

 sided. In them it is notified that the appointment or term of the 

 Governor's office is limited to a period of six years, from the time of 

 his assumption of his duties ; the crown reserving the power of pro- 

 longing that period. 



The great complaint in the colony is, that the policy of the govern- 

 ment at home is always fluctuating with the change of the incumbent 

 who holds the office of Secretary of State. This happens with every 

 change in political parties in the mother country, and the office is often 

 held by persons who have very little knowledge or experience in colo- 

 nial affairs, and consequently regulations are from time to time issued, 

 and particular orders for the guidance of the Governor are frequently 

 sent him, which leaves him little or no independence in the perform- 

 ance of his duties. 



At the distance at which New South Wales is situated, it may 

 readily be conceived what inconvenience is felt by the Governor and 



