LORD CARNARVON AND SIR GEORGE GREY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4452, 26 June 1875, Page 3

LORD CARNARVON AND SIR GEORGE GREY.

The following is a copy of the despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, m reply to Sir George Grey’s memorials, which was transmitted to Sir George, extracts from which have already appeared : Downing-street, 22nd March, 1875. My Loud,—l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 103, of the 22nd of December, enclosing a letter addressed to me by the Superintendent of the province of Auckland, with a petition which he had received from Sir George Grey, dated the 4th November, having reference to the appropriation of the fund arising from the sale of Crown lands within the colony of New Zealand. 2. You also enclose a memorandum by Dr. Pollen, who Is now acting as leader of the New Zealand Government, respecting the statements contained in Sir George Grey's petition. 3. It ia my duty to observe that the Superintendent of the province of Auckland acted irregularly in addressing her Majesty s Government d'rect, and that the usual (as it is also the most convenient) course would have heen to transmit the petition through tho Governor. . , 4. I had previously received a o opy ox another petition from Sir George Grey to your predecessor, dated the 14th October,- with respect to the measures which he apprehended were being rapi'dly pushed on for the abolition of tho provincial institutions in New Zealand. 5. You will have tbo goodness to cause Sir George Grey to be informed that I have read both his petitions with the attention which is duo to any , communication from him, ani that while ' I differ very widely from many of the views and opinions to which he has given expression, I do not think it desirable to enter into any detailed examination of Ids representations, tho single reason that they relate to matters in respect of which I do not think there should be any pretence for saying that her Majesty's Government have influenced or interfered with the decision of the Colonial Legislature. 6. I have, as at present advised, no intention of applying to Parliament for _ any legislation on tho subject of provincial institutions, or the Crown lands of Now Zealand; and no suggestion that such legislation is necessary or desirable has been

made to me by, or on behalf of the Government of the colony, or from any other quarter. These are subjects which the General Assembly of Hew Zealand is, in my opinion, quite competent to discuss, as indeed has already been very fully and ably done in the debate in the House of Representatives, which terminated in August last, and which I have perused with much interest.—l have, &c., (Signed.) Carnarvon. Governor ; The Most Honorable the Marquis of Norraanby, K.C.M.G., &c.