ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No, 1, FROM HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

London, 24th April, 1855. My Lord,— Adverting to the legislative measures proposed by the Officer administering the Government of New Zealand, in his address to the Assembly, dated 31st August, 1854, and to Sir George Grey's despatch, dated Bth December, 185 , I have the honor to request that I may be favoured with the views of her Majesty Government previous to my departure for New Zealand. I beg more especially to refer to the constitution of the Legislative Council; and should her Majesty's Government approve of its being made " an elective body so constituted as to be less directly liable than the Assembly to popular impulse, and to be capable of acting as a check against hasty legislation," I should wish to know whether I may be empowered to give my provisional consent to this alteration, reserving the final consideration and approval for her Majesty's Government. The discussion relative to the immediate Responsible Government, detailed in " the further papers" recently presented to both Houses of Parliament, induce me to make this request. I also beg to be informed if the views of her Majesty's Government with regard to the measure for empowering the Superintendents to dissolve the Provincial Councils and for fixing the seat of Government, and appointing a Lieut.-Governor for Auckland, which, though not within the power of the Local Legislature, appear by Sir George Grey's despatch to have occupied the consideration of her Majesty's Government. I learn, also, that the debt to the New Zealand Company is a subject which occupies considerable attention in the colony, and I should be glad to receive instructions for my guidance when this subject is again agitated. Finally, I beg to call your attention to the 18th paragraph of her Majesty's Instructions to me, and to enquire whether it is intended that an Executive Council, partly nominated, should continue in existence after the establishment of Responsible Government, as sanctioned by Sir George Grey's despatch of August 3, 1854. I hava the honor to be, my Lord, Your most obedient servant, Tke Right Hon. Lord J. Russell. T. Gork Bbowkz. &«., 4c., &c. . Downinrr-street, Sir,— 11th May, 1855. I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 24th ultimo, requesting to receive instructions for your guidance in certain matters connected with the Government of New Zealand, adverted to by the Acting Governor in his address to the Assembly in August last. I now purpose to answer, in order, the questions which you have put. 1. The New Zealand Constitution Act does not appear tojgive the General Assembly power to constitute an Elective Legislative Council. Any Act which they might pass for this purpose would therefore remain inoperative. But if they should apply for power to make this change by address either to yourself, or to the Crown, and you should find this change to be generally desired, her Majesty's advisers would propose to Parliament a measure for carrying their wishes into effect either by constituting an Elective Council, or enabling the Colonial Legislature, to alter th« Constitution Act in this respect. 2. There is no express power given by the Act of Parliament to the General Assembly to confer the right of dissolving the Provincial Assemblies on the Superintendents, nor does it appear that such a power can be implied. I see no reason for the change, and should be disposed to leave this right in the hands of the Governor.