and I beg you to believe that I do so with due modesty - that the Department will not suffer if the temporary charge even for a lengthened period be still left with me. I am emboldened to speak thus plainly with you, Sir, because in the first place Mr. Branigan's intention to have me appointed his Deputy whilst absent from Head Quarters is mani- fest by a remark to that effect on his Departmental Estimate which was submitted to you, secondly because in all the Australian Colonies the Chief Clerk is also the Deputy or Assistant Commissioner and thirdly because I