Star.
London, England, 1830-02-24 00:00:00

majesty's government to introduce a measure for the improvement
of the administration of justice in the colonies, and the admis-
sion of slave•evidence would form a part of it. Me was aware
of the great importance of the subjeet, and the many interests con-
nected with it, and would do every thing in his power to expedite it.
The chief obstacle which stood in the way, was the great expense
which would =rite from the changes rendered necessary by the
proposed arrangements. With the view of saving expense as much
as possible, he forbore to fill up 'vacancies that had occurred, one
of Chief Justice of St. Vincent's, and the other of Chief Justice of
Tobago, as he was unwiiling to let in any claims for compensation
that might be made by the persons holding those situations.
Mr. KEITH Di /JAMAS expressed a hope that no longer de-
lay might occur in making the intended judicial arrangement for
our colonies, for that delay would be found inconvenient in many
respects. In one of the colonies the chief justiceship was vacant
for two years, and the duties discharged in the interim by a resident
planter. This he thought ought not to be permitted, for it would
tend to diminish the confidence of the people in the administration
of the law. He hoped he should hear from the right hon. gentle-
man that it was intended to remove any cause of complaint on this
ground as speedily as possible. Whatever the expense might he
hereafter, he thought it would be much more inconvenient to keep
the office vaunt.

Sir G. MURRAY—The hon. member was mistaken in suppo-
sing that the situation was vacant for two years. A gentleman was
appointed to fill it, and he was on the point of going out,when ano-
ther appointment was given to him. As to inconvenience, he must
suppose there was none, as no complaint or representation of any
kind had reached him on the subject. If it should be found neces-
sary to fill it up, he would do so temporarily.
Lord NUGENT regretted that any delay should occur in bring.
ing into operation a measure so necessary as a reformation in the ju.
dicial administration of our colonies, and also to hear that so im.
porcant an office as that of chief justice was filled by a planter. Ile
was aware that the subject of the improvement of the judicial sys-
tem in the colonies was Doe which had long been in contemplation,
but was difficult to be grappled with. However' it was one of
great Importance, and must be disposed of. What he would wish
to know from the right hon. gentleman was, whether the delay wail
occasioned by waiting for any further reports from the commissims.
era of Inquiry into the colonial courts, or whether the labours of
that bad been brought to a close P
Sir G. MURRAY replied that the commission had closed its
labours, and that the only thing which occasioned delay was a con.
sideration of the expense.
Lord NUGENT observed, that, so far as he was concerned, he
was disposed to offer no objection to the expense. He would have it
on the most liberal scale provided it could attain so desirable an
object as that which the right hon. gendeman had In contemplation.
The petition was then ordered to lle on the table, and be printed.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

Mr. HUME saiciit would be convenient to many honourable
members to know from the right hon. gentleman opposite, whether
he intended to propose any vote in the committee of supply which
stood for to-morrow ?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that u
there seemed to be a general understanding on both sides of the house
that Wednesday was not to be a day of any heavy business, he
would not propose any motion in the committee of supply on that day.