Who was responsible for managing local affairs in early Cayman?

The correct choice identifies the magistrates as the individuals responsible for managing local affairs in early Cayman. In the context of Cayman Islands history, magistrates played a crucial role in maintaining law and order, settling disputes, and overseeing community governance. They were often appointed to handle local matters, which allowed them to directly address the needs and concerns of the Caymanian people during a time when the islands were becoming more populated and established.

While the governor and colonial officials certainly had overarching authority and governance over the islands, their roles were more focused on broader administrative and colonial interests rather than day-to-day local affairs. Local councils, on the other hand, were not prominent in the early administrative framework of the Cayman Islands as magistrates were. Thus, the role of magistrates is significant in understanding the local governance structure in the early history of the Cayman Islands.