THE GOVERNOR AND MINISTERS.

5

A.—No. 10.

By adopting any other course, the duty of deciding whether Parliament should be dissolved or not, would in fact be relegated to the House of Eepresentatives, instead of resting, as it constitutionally does, with His Excellency. Mr. Stafford respectfully reminds His Excellency that a dissolution is never advised, except when a Government is unable to command a reliable majority. E. W. Stafford. Wellington, 7th October, 1872.

No. 6. His Excellency Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Hon. Mr. Stafford. The Governor acknowledges the receipt of Mr. Stafford's Memorandum of yesterday's date. Looking to all the circumstances surrounding the present ministerial crisis (to some of which attention has already been drawn), the Governor is compelled to decide that it would not be right for him to give beforehand such a pledge as that for which Mr. Stafford now asks. If the existing Parliament were older; if there were any large question to submit to the constituencies ; if there were good grounds for expecting a material change in public opinion respecting the policy of the Colonial Government; if all proper attempts to form a strong and united Administration had been exhausted; in short, if these and other circumstances of the case were different, then the action of the Governor would also be different. G. F. Bowen. Government House, Wellington, Bth October, 1872.

No. 7. The Hon. Mr. Stafford to His Excellency the Governor. Mb. Stafford has received the Governor's Memorandum of this day's date. Mr. Stafford places the resignation of the offices held by Ministers in His Excellency's hands. Ministers do not desire to combat the views expressed by His Excellency, with which, however, they are compelled to disagree. E. W. Stafford. Wellington, Bth October, 1872."

No. 8. His Excellency Sir G. F. Bowf.n, G.C.M.G-,, to the Hon. Mr. Stafford. In acknowledging the receipt of Mr. Stafford's Memorandum of this day, the Governor desires to express his sense of the respect and courtesy which he has always received from Mr. Stafford and his colleagues. He requests them to continue to hold office, in the customary way, until the appointment of their successors. . G. F. Bowen. Government House, Bth October, 1872.