THE GOVERNOR AND SIR GEORGE GREY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1046, 1 November 1877, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR AND SIR GEORGE GREY.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, October 31. A paper was laid before the House this afternoon relative to calling J. N. Wilson, of Napier, to the Legislative Council. Memo. No. 1 is directed to the Premier, and signed by Messrs Sheehan, Macandrew, Fisher, and Larnach, and advises that J. N. Wilson, barrister, be summoned to the Legislative Council, and urges that it is desirable that the Council should have further legal assistance in discussion, adding that Mr Wilson stands high in his profession, and it would he a great advantage to the Council and country if he were summoned. Memo. No. 2 is from Sir G. Grey to the Governor as follows:—“His Excellency the Governor is respectfully informed that, notwithstanding the opinion yesterday expressed by His Excellency that a notice of a vote of want of confidence in the Government having been given he ought not to accept the advice given for calling J. N. Wilson to the Legislative Council until the decision of Parliament upon that vote had been given, when, if it was favorable to the present Government His Excellency would in pursuance of the advice then given call J. N. Wilson to the Legislative Council, it is thought necessary, hoping this can he done without causing embarrassment to His Excellency, respectfully to advise the Governor to sign the accompanying writs summoning John Nathaniel Wilson to the Legislative Council.—G. Grey.” Memo, by His Excellency the Governor : “ The Governor presents his compliments to Sir Geo. Grey, and in reply to his memo, on the subject of the appointment of J. N. Wilson to the Legislative Council, the Governor regrets, after the opinion expressed by him yesterday to Sir George Grey, that the Government should have considered it necessary to press this appointment upon him, and he can only repeat in a more formal manner what he said yesterday. If Sir George Grey informs the Governor that he requires this appointment for the purpose of enabling Mr Wilson to take office in the Government, he will make it at once. If, however, it is as Sir George Grey informed him yesterday, simply for the purpose of adding to the Legislative Council another gentleman belonging to the legal profession, there can be no pressing urgency for the appointment, and the Governor is of opinion that it would be undesirable to make it at a time when a vote of want of confidence is pending. If the Government are supported by a majority of the House the Governor will be happy to accept their advice and appoint Mr Wilson to the Legislative Council, but, ponding the decision of the Assembly, the Governor must decline to moke the appointment. —Norman BY.”