In July of the latter year he was appointed Chief Justice, in which capacity he administered the government during the absence of Sir Frederick Broome in England in 1884–5.
The Executive Council unanimously confirmed the interdict, and placed Mr. Onslow on half-pay pending the decision of the Colonial Office.
[1] Ultimately, in view of the attitude assumed by the Chief Justice in adjudicating on certain cases of newspaper libel, the Legislative Council passed a resolution requesting the Home Government, in the interests of tranquillity, to transfer him to some other location.
In February 1890 it was announced that he was to exchange posts with Sir Elliot Bovill, Chief Justice of Cyprus.
Mr. Onslow returned to Western Australia and resumed his occupancy of the office of Chief Justice in July 1891.