cHAP. viTI] RELATIONS OF THE HOUSES 611 
Dominion in 1873, when his conduct was approved by Lord 
Kimberley in a dispatch of November 28, 1873. 
On the passing of the Appropriation Bill the Governor 
reminded the ministers of the position of those officers 
whose services had been dispensed with in January in order 
to economize funds! He suggested that they should treat 
them liberally, and as a matter of fact some of the officers 
were replaced. He took occasion to justify the position 
adopted by the ministers in dismissing these officers, and 
he also explained that, though they had not reinstated 
all the officers, still their conduct could be justified by all 
the principles of responsible government, and therefore he 
thought that it was in order and that he was right in 
acquiescing in it. 
On July 5, 1878,2 the Secretary of State for the: Colonies 
replied to the Governor’s dispatch of the 23rd of March? on 
the subject of the obligation of the Governor, in the opinion 
of the ministers, to accept the view of law expressed by 
the local law officers. 
The following paragraphs express the view of the Secretary 
of State —- 
4. In my telegram of the 22nd of February 4 I informed you 
that your duty in the circumstances then described to me was 
clear, namely, to act in accordance with the advice of your 
ministers, provided that you were satisfied that the action 
advised was lawful; that if not so satisfied you should take 
your stand on the law, and that if in doubt as te the law you 
should have recourse to the legal advice at your command. 
5. 1 thus recognized on the one hand the general obligation 
of a Governor to follow the advice of his ministers in local 
matters, and on the other hand the necessity of special care 
on his part, as the representative of the Crown, to avoid 
any illegal act, and the responsibility which, under particular 
circumstances, may be thrown upon him to determine 
whether an act is or is not illegal. i 
6. It is not to be presumed that the Colonial ministers will, 
in the absence of a pressing emergency, or even then with- 
out carefully setting forth their reasons and explanations. 
* Parl. Pap., C. 2173, p. 66. * Thid., p. 81. 
* Tbid., pp. 49. 50. ' Parl. Pap., C. 1982, p. 41.