Mr. Monro has not been invited to withdraw his resigna-
tion, and Sir Edward Bradford, an Indian soldier of great experience and success in civil administration, has been appointed to his place. The whole dispute was on Friday week brought before Parliament by Sir W. Harcourt, in a speech which, though studiously moderate, represented Mr. Matthews as the origin of all the difficulties in the Police. Sir W. Harcourt charged the Home Secretary with proposing Mr. Ruggles-Brise, an able man, but unacquainted with police work, for the Assistant-Commissionership ; with want of consideration for the Force as regards their pensions ; and with allowing needless friction to arise in his relations with Mr. Monro. Mr. Matthews's reply rather surprised the House,—it was so very complete. He showed that Mr. Ruggles- Brise, as private secretary to successive Home Secretaries, had for seven years been accustomed to understand the policy of the Home Office in managing the Police ; that Mr. Monro would not have resigned on his account ; and that the appoint- ment was only given up because Mr. Monro's resignation made the selection of an assistant with actual experience indis- pensable. As to the pensions, Mr. Matthews had drawn his Bill on the lines of the Bills drawn by his predecessors; and his real difference with Mr. Monro arose from the latter demanding too high a rate of pension for the Force after twenty-five years' service. He asked for them more than Par- liament would grant. Finally, he had always consulted Mr. Monro, who was his own selection, he had deeply regretted his resignation, and he " emphatically disclaimed" attributing any blame to that gentleman's conduct. He was rather too strong-willed for his position, and that was all. The explana- tion obviously satisfied the House, and no division was taken.
