South Australia. It is clear his enmity is not eradicated, though Torrens thinks all will yet go smoothly. For myself I dubitate greatly.
"February 17th.—Received from Hay the following letter:—
"Sir,
"I am directed by the Earl of Aberdeen to acknowledge the receipt of your letter to his Lordship of the 13th instant, enclosing the names of various gentlemen willing to act under his Lordship's authority as commissioners for carrying into effect the Act of Parliament for colonising Southern Australia.
"Lord Aberdeen considers it to be an essential preliminary to the further discussion of the subject, that it should be distinctly understood whether the proposed commissioners are, or are not, to be accountants to the Crown, and personally responsible for the receipt and application of the money to arise from the sale of lands in the proposed colony. By the 9th clause, the power of appointing a treasurer and other officers, and of removing such treasurer and officers, and of appointing successors, is given to the commissioners, and by the 11th clause it is declared that all monies under the control of the Board shall be received and paid by the treasurers so appointed, who are to give securities for the faithful discharge of their duties to such amount, and in such manner as to the said commissioners may seem fit. The following clause, the 12th, enacts that all accounts of the treasurer shall be submitted to the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury, and be audited in the same manner as other public accounts. The Act also gives to the commissioners extensive power of selling or leasing land, of receiving and applying the purchase-money or the rent, and of taking up large sums at interest. The 218t clause absolves the commissioners
