governor had refused to receive it, and the offer had been withdrawn. He now declined to renew it, and Mr. Merriman acted in the same manner. The governor then informed them that from that date they would under- stand they continued in office only until their successors were appointed.
Mr. John Gordon (later Sir Gordon) Sprigg, a leading member of the opposition in parliament, undertook to form a new ministry, and four days later Messrs. Molteno and Merriman received from the civil commissioner of King-Williamstown letters worded as follows :
"Sir,—I have the honour to inform you that by the authority vested in me as the Governor of this Colony I remove you from your office of . . ., and that from and after this date you will cease to hold the said office. I have instructed Mr. J. E. Innes, Civil Commissioner and Resident Magistrate of King Williamstown, who will deliver this letter to you, to receive charge of your records, documents, or public property of any description appertaining to your office, and to give a receipt for the same. I have, &c.
The governor held that the dismissal of the prime minister did not necessarily involve the retirement of the other members of the ministry, and Messrs. Brownlee, White, and Stockenstrom were therefore informed that their resignations would be accepted if tendered. Mr. Brownlee, who was in King-Williamstown, tendered his at once, and so the office of secretary for native affairs became vacant. Dr. White, the treasurer, and Mr. Stockenstrom, the attorney-general, were in Capetown. At first they declined to communicate with the governor officially except through Mr. Molteno, but when that gentleman was no longer in office, Dr. White tendered his resignation, which was accepted. Mr. Stockenstrom
