DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 752, 16 November 1876, Page 2

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Per Press Agency .) Wellington, November 15,

The Gazette this evening publishes the following despatches from the Secretary for State ;

Downing street, 18th September, 1876. My Lord, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of June 20th, enclosing, at the request of Sir G Grey, copies of three letters which he has addressed to you, dated respectively 18th, 23rd, and 27th of May. You also enclose copy of memo by your Government on the subject of these letters. The Assembly has expressed its opinion on this matter, and it appears to me that I am not called upon to offer any observations respecting it.— Carnarvon, Downing street, September 18th, 1876. My Lord, —I have the honor to acknowledge your dispatch of June 21st, enclosing a letter addressed to me by Sir G, Grey, respecting the abolition of Provincial Governments. You will be so good as to inform Sir G. Grey that previously to acquainting your lordship in my dispatch of February 17th that her Majesty would not be advised to exercise her power of disallowance in respect of the Act, '• To provide for abolition of provinces,” I bad satisfied myself that the passing of the Act was within the competency of the Colonial Legislature, and the course which Sir G. Grey however expresses his intention of taking in obtaining a judgment on the matter in the colonial courts, is no doubt one which would set the question, if any such question is seriously believed to exist, at rest in the most authoritative manner, should it ultimately be thought expedient to incur the cost of such proceedings. With regard to the rumor in which Sir G. Grey expresses his belief “ that opposition to the Ministry might involve the city of Auckland being cannonaded by H. M. ships in the harbor,” the report is so utterly Junfounded and so entirely improbable in its nature that I cannot refrain from expressing my regret as well as surprise, that there should have been even one man in the colony who could confess to have given it credence. Sir G. Grey will not, therefore, be surprised that I did not deem it necessary to address a telegraphic despatch to you in the sense suggested by him.— Carnarvon. “ Governor The most Hon the Marquis of Normanby, &c.”