, 1893-05-13
THE NEW GOVERNOR OF BRITISH
GUIANA.
Argosy, 18th april.

ana, is reported from England by telegram,
and we believe there is not a trace Of dissat-
isfaction throughout the colony, with the
selection.
Sir Charles Lees spsnt a short time in this
colony, some twenty-five years ago, VIXEN
he came ON a visit to his sister, Mrs. Inglis,
wife of the Receiver General Of that day.
He was then Captain Lees of the regular
Army, but was styled Colonel, from his rank
in the Antigua Militia, and he held the
position Of Private Secretary to his uncle
(by MARRIAGE Sir Stephen Hill, then Governor
of the Leeward Islands. There must be
some still in our midst who can remember
how heartily Colonel Lees entered into the
pleasures of a dance given at Government
House when he visited us. Not long after
wards he was offered an appointment on the
Gold Coast which he had considerable
difficulty in making up his mind 10 accept,
for he West Coast Of Africa had an Infamous
name in those days. Little did our future
Governor dream bow things were working TO
his advancement The Ashanti War of
1873 came in a few years from his arrival
on the Gold Coast Colonel | ses was appoint
sd to act as Colonial Secretary of the Geld
Coast. His opportunity had come, and
Colonel Lees was q made man. He devel-
oped into an Administrator forthwith, and
gave such satisfaction, as a safe man, to the
Colonial Office that the only concern Of the
Chief in Downing Street was as to his health.
So he was sent 10 Labuan, SIS to a sanatorium,
in order that he might lay in q stock of
health to enable HIM to go back to the Gold
Coast as a full Governor. Once away, how
ever, Sir Charles does not appear to have
been consumed with a desire to return to
Western Africa; and he went on from one
Government to another until he was sent to
Mauritius, with a salary reduced 0 wing to
financial needs, but on the express arrange
ment that bis tin 8 there should count for
pension as in a fist class Government. Sir
Charles is a son of the late Sir John Lees,
who for many years was Chief Justice OF the
Bahamas. His mothers father held the same
Office for fifty years. OR new Governor is
a relative of the Rovd. Cameron Lees, one
of the Queens ChapIains in Scotland. Lady
Lees, is a daughter of Sir Oliver Nugent, a
Planter in Antigua, who for years filled the
position Of Speaker of the Local House of
Assembly under the Constitution of that
colony. 1t is remarkable that Sir Charles
Lees has been Governor Of the Bahamas.
where he was born, and of the Loewald
Islands, where his wife was born. About
ten years ago a lady of this colony was on a
visit TO Nassau, when Sir Charles told her
that his ambition was to become Governor Of
British Guiana. He has now got his wish.
Our new Governor has quite q talent for
hospitality and he has the reputation OF
being a scrupulousIy honest man. When
Governor Of the Leeward Islands, it was point
ed out to him that he had authorised Public
money to be paid out of the Treasury without
Legislative authority. He repaid the amount
from his own pocket.
For the information Of our readers who
naturally enough must be interested in the
official career of the man who is to sway the
destiny of the colony fer the next five years,
We insert here the data thereof, as they
appear in the Colonial Office List Il He was
private secretary and aide.de-camp to the
Governor inschief of the Leeward islands,
had local rank Of lieut. colonel, and brigade
major to the militia; entered the army ia
June, 1854 adjutant, End battalion Royal
Welsh F~usiliers, 1858; sold out in January,
1865; and was appointed to the adjutanoy Of
the third administrative battalion, Derbyshire
rifle volunteers ; resigned in May, 1887; ap-
pointed civil commandant at Accra, 1859; col
lsctor OF customs. Lagos. Nov, 1872; sent to
the Gold Coast to act as colonial secretary
under Sir Garnet Wolseley during the
Ashanti War administered the government
of the Gold Coast Settlements for a short
period after the war /; administrator of the
oovororo>nt 80 raroo Ip1v. 1874 op1 a1aA