37

A.—3

11. The Ordinance, therefore, requires amendment in these particulars, and as it is convenient that the law for the establishment of Provincial Councils should be contained in a single Ordinance, the best course will be to repeal the present one and re-enact it with the necessary alterations. In the meantime, as Her Majesty cannot be advised to confirm it in its present shape, I shall defer submitting it to the Queen when it arrives. 12. The remaining suggestions of your despatch will be fully borne in mind when the subject of the general institutions of New Zealand comes next under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government. I have, &c, Governor Sir George Grey, &c. Geet.

No. 16. Copt of a Despatch from Earl Geet to Governor Geet. (No. 74.) Sib, — Downing Street, 19th August, 1851. I have received your Despatch No. 134, of the 14th December last, forwarding with your remarks a letter from Mr. John Dorset on behalf of the Constitutional Association at Wellington. The correspondence will be useful in furnishing materials for the deliberations which must soon take place on the general subject of the New Zealand Constitution; and with reference to Mr. Dorset's letter it is only necessary that you should inform him that it has been received at this department. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. Grey. __________ mm _ m ______ Geet.

No. 17. Copt of a Despatch from Earl Geet to Governor Geet. (No. 20.) Sib, — Downing Street, 11th February, 1852. I transmit to you copy of a correspondence which has passed between this office and the committee of the Otago Association on the subject of the economical management of the affairs of the settlement. I have no doubt you are aware of the importance of keeping the expenditure of this small outlying settlement on as economical a footing as can possibly be managed consistently with the public service; and, as far as I have means to form a judgment, I approve of the views entertained by the committee. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. Grey. Geet.

Enclosure 1 in No. 17. Mr. J. MoGlashan to the Eight Hon. Earl Grey. Mt Lobd, — Otago Office, Edinburgh, 9th January, 1852. I am directed by the committee of the Otago Association and do myself the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a letter they have addressed to Captain Cargill in reference to the proceedings of a public meeting at Dunedin respecting Mr. Valpy's nomination as a member of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, and also to enclose copies of the three newspapers therein referred to. I have, &o, J. McGlashan.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 1 in No. 17. Mr. J. McGlashan to Mr. W. Caegill. Sib, — Otago Office, Edinburgh, 6th January, 1852. I am directed to inform you that the committee of the Otago Association have had under their consideration the resolutions of the public meeting held at Dunedin upon the 13th May last (over which you presided), relative to the Governor's nomination of W. H. Valpy, Esq., to be a member of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, and also the correspondence that appears to have arisen out of the proceedings of that meeting, all as published in the Otago Witness of the 24th May and the 7th and 21st June, 1851. They have also had before them the copy transmitted by you of your letter dated the 14th May, 1851, to the Governor-in-Chief, in which you explained the circumstances under which you had consented to preside over said meeting, and requested to be exonerated from discourtesy towards him in taking the chair on that occasion, and of His Excellency's answer, to the effect that he saw no reason to doubt you had exercised your discretion wisely upon that point, and that he complied with your request. The committee regret that circumstances should have occurred to give rise to discussions that had assumed somewhat of a personal character; and therefore, at the distance of time from the date of those discussions, and when you will receive this despatch, they would not have judged it expedient to take notice of them but for the opportunity thereby afforded of tendering some suggestions as to the course they think it may be beneficial to the settlers to pursue for obtaining at the earliest period civil institutions adapted to their habits and condition. They are of opinion that, on the first occasion on which the Governor had invited a member of the Otago community to take a seat in the Legislative Council, it was not unnatural that the inhabitants of Otago should meet to express their deliberate sentiments regarding the constitution of that Assembly, and the fitness of the nominee to represent their wants and wishes in it, especially in reference to the important measure that was expected to be brought before it. They also think that, considering the peculiar relation in which you stand to the Otago community as a chief leader in the formation of the settlement and as the representative of the Association, there was great propriety in those who were instrumental in calling that meeting inviting you to preside over it, and, under the circumstances, in your so doing. They do not mean and are not entitled to review the resolutions of that meeting; but they must remark that it appears to them the