MINISTERIAL.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1054, 14 March 1873, Page 2

MINISTERIAL.

The official correspondence the Governor and Mr Waterhoirse has been published. On Feb. 4th Mr Waterhouse wrote to Mr Vogel that he intended to resign, as he was only the nominal, while Mr Vogel was the real Premier. Mr Vogel advocated a new policy, and Mr Waterhouse administrative reform. On Feb. 20th Mr Waterhouse Wrote a letter to the Governor stating that Mr Hall's resignation affected his position so much that he must now resign. He did not wish the Governor to think this would involve the resignation of the whole Ministry. On Feb. 28th the Governor answered and said he failed to see the reasons for resignation, which would* ipso facto, dissolve the Ministry. He suggested convening Parliament, or that Mr Waterhouse should reconsider his decision. On March Ist Mr Waterhouse replied, and expressed dissatisfaction at the Governor conferring with the rest of the Ministry. He said that the Governor need not visit Auckland, It was not the duty of Ministers to summon Parliament; and regretted that the Governor, while refusing to accept his resignation, ignored him in the Government of the Colony. The Governor's endeavor to induce another Minister to publish the corresponi dence was tantamount to accepting his resignation. On March 2nd Mr Waterhouse wrote to the Governor that he was not justified in affording him means of leaving the Colony, and he therefore had instructed the captain of the Luna not to leave Weliiugton without the Premier's express authority. On March Ist the Governor answered the memorandum, and expressed surprise at Mr Waterhouse's remarks regarding communication between the Governor and Ministers, when it was only to dissuade him from resigning. He accused Mr Waterhouse of refusing to attend the Governor when summoned to attend by his aide de camp, thereby obliging the Governor to confer with other Ministers. Mr Vogel on return would be requested to become Premier, and the correspondence should cease. On March 2nd Mr Waterhouse replied that ho was equally anxious that the correspondence should cease. The Governor wrote on the 3rd that after Mr Waterhonse's action, it was imperative to accept his resignation. It is believed in well informed quarters that Messrs Vogei and Waterhouse differed about the prorogation speech, Vogel having written it, and not using another previously written by Waterhouse. The conditions on which Mr Fox took office are—that the Governor, on Mr Vogel's return, shall ask him to become Premier, and if he accepts, Mr Fox at once retires. Should Mr Vogel decline, Mr Fox will, if desired, retain office on condition that Parliament be summoned as soon as possible; which cannot be until May, as it now stands prorogued to April 15. The necessary accommodation could not be provided before May, as Provincial Councils nearly all meet in April, and earlier would be inconvenient.