An Autocratic Governor.

He had long had at heart the building of a breakwater at Table Bay, where stormy winds from the south-west still make anchorage insecure. A bill laid before the council prior to his departure had been thrown out in his absence by the influence of the narrow-minded Dutch members, who saw a future for agricultural or pastoral occupations in their country, but could not perceive the importance of creating facilities for commercial intercourse. At the very first session of the council after he returned, Grey acquainted its members with his determination to have the breakwater made. He accordingly placed a sufficient sum on the Estimates for the purpose, and announced his resolution not to let a single vote be passed unless this project was sanctioned. One day's debating sufficed. The vote was carried by a small majority, and next year the first stone of the structure was laid by an illustrious visitor, Prince Alfred.