A.—s

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treating the Government, or any person, with disrespect in the course lam pursuing; but where the whole future of New Zealand is involved, and the interests and welfare of its inhabitants for all time, every man must act fearlessly according to the best of his judgment. I have, &c, G. Grey. P.S. —Having heard that the Governor was immediately to leave the colony, I delayed sending this letter to you until he had left Now Zealand, so that I might carefully avoid giving any personal offence to him. G. G. December Ist, 1874.

No. 5. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor the Sttpebintendent, Auckland. Sie, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 29th December, 1874. I have submitted to His Excellency the Marquis of Normanby your Honor's letter of the 4th instant, enclosing one from Sir George Grey, K.C.8., to your Honor, upon the subject of the reply which His Excellency Sir James Fergusson had directed to be made to the petition which Sir George Grey had addressed to him in reference to certain resolutions adopted by the House of Eepresentatives during the last session of Parliament. Sir George Grey forwards to your Honor, with his letter under consideration, the reply to his petition, which he has not opened, but on the subject of which he animadverts. In reply, I am directed by the Marquis of Normanby to inform your Honor that no answer can be given to the petition, other than that contained in Sir James Fergusson's letter, which still remains unopened, and can be sent back to Sir George Grey, should he desire it. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Daniel Pollen. By Authority: George Didsbuht, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7s. Price 6d.]