The Board of Civil Office has handed in a memorial with reference to rewards conferred on officers who may have previously eon guilty of some offence. In reply We have to point out that the power to give or withhold [honours}'has ever rested with the'Throne. Of late years in all cases where on account of Acts of Grace or because of subscriptions they may have made, officers have been recommended for rewards, We sanctioning the reward asked for or have have always either issued a special decree handed the matter over to the Board for consideration. In some cases We have by special decree restored officers to their former rank, in others We have degraded them one or two steps prior to allowing them to again enter the public service. The degree of severity is entirely for Us
decrees of this nature how can the to decide and when We issue special bellowed to consideres to whether it shall j For the future whenever the High Pri vincial Authorities present cases of this kind asking for rewards to be bestowed on officials, the Board will naturally consider according to the regulations all cases which We may refer to them for consideration, but as regards such cases which We may approve of by special decree the Board will proceed to carry out Our instructions; it must not quote its own regulations and ask Us to alter our decision.
No documents of interest.
25th June.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.