A.—2a,

4

11. That the Government from Wellington will neither be efficient nor agreeable to the feelings of the people of this province. 12. That it will be injurious to the best interests of the colony to have about one-half of the population discontented with the form of government under which they live. 13. That your petitioners are earnestly of opinion that Otago should have grauted to it the large powers of local self-government bestowed by the Constitution Act; or that it should be created a separate and independent colony. 14. That the manner in which the Constitution Act has been altered—in a hurried, thoughtless way, and without reference to the opinions of the local Legislature —abolished in violation of the provisions of the Constitution Act, has created in the minds of your petitioners a grave distrust of the General Assembly and its Legislature. That your petitioners therefore pray that Your Majesty will be pleased to take this petition into your gracious consideration, and grant that either the Province of Otago should have bestowed on it the large power of local self-government granted by the Constitution Act, or else that Otago should be erected into a separate and independent colony. And your humble petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. James ~W. Thomson, President of the Otago Convention.

Enclosure 2. Mr. Thomson, President of the Otago Convention, to the Earl of Cabnaevon. Mr Lobd, — Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, 28th March, 1877. I have the honor to forward herewith petition to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, adopted by the Otago Convention at its meetings held on the Bth and 9th days of November last, praying for an inquiry into the action of His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand in identifying himself in such a manner with one party in politics as to have the effect of influencing the loyal feelings which have hitherto been cherished towards Her Majesty's Representative!. I have the honor further to state that, by resolution of the Convention, two delegates —viz., Sir George Grey, Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, and formerly Governor of the Colony, and his Honor James Macandrew, Superintendent of the Province of Otago—were appointed to proceed to London, and to present personally the petition to your Lordship, and afford any information desired; but unfortunately Sir George Grey has been so seriously indisposed as to be unable to undertake the fatigue of the journey; and, as representing one province only, Mr. Macandrew did not feel justified in undertaking the duty single-handed. In the circumstances, the Council of the Convention has resolved to forward the petition by post to your Lordship, and to state that the feeling of dissatisfaction which was raised in this province has not in the slightest degree been abated. I have, &c, James W. Thomson, The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon, President of Otago Convention. Secretary of State for the Colonies, London.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2. To Her Most Gracious Majesty Yictoeia, Queen of the IJuited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Dependencies thereof, Empress of India, &c. Mat it please Youb Majestt,— The humble petition of the undersigned members of the Otago Convention, in meeting assembled, showeth— 1. That a Convention of Members of the House of Representatives for Otago, of Members of the Provincial Council of Otago, of Mayors of incorporated towns, Chairmen of Road Boards, and Chairmen of School Committees, was held on the eighth and ninth days of November, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, and there attended—[N.B. —Names the same as in the other petition.] 2. That your petitioners recognize the wisdom that has actuated Your Majesty in retaining the appointment of a Governor for this colony, believing that such is retained in order that the great interests of the Empire and the welfare of the colonists may be better conserved. 3. That we believe that it is of the utmost importance that the Governor should be one who is not in any way identified with any political party or parties that may exist in the colony. 4. That we have to deplore that His Excellency the Governor has identified himself with the Centralist party, and has thereby become the representative only of the opinions of the party dominant for the time being in the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council; and that his recent action has had a tendency to impair the feelings of loyalty and respect which wc have always cherished for Your Majesty's Representative. Your petitioners therefore pray that Your Majesty will be pleased to inquire into the grievances mentioned in our petition, and appoint some person to fulfil the onerous and responsible duties of Governor who will not be biassed against a political party, even though such party may be in the minority. James W. Thomson, President of Otago Convention.

By Authority : G-eorok Didsbttby, Government Printer, Wellington. —1877. Price 3d.]