A.—4,

34

As the Government has, at your request, exhaustively examined into all the specific charges contained in yours of the sth November, amongst which, I may remark, there was none relating to your imprisonment for contempt, and as you have been duly informed of the decision at which it has arrived upon each of the twelve charges enumerated, the correspondence upon the subject has reached its natural conclusion, and no useful purpose can be served by re-opening it. Otherwise, it would have been my duty to return your letter last received, as the language it contains is at variance with the well-understood courtesies of official correspondence; and the insinuation that Judge Richmond was consulted in reference to your charges, or was even cognizant of the decision of the Government, is as untrue, as it is gratuitously insulting to the Cabinet and the law officers of the Crown. I have, &c, G. E. Barton, Esq., M.H.E., Wellington. G. S. Whitmoee. By Authority: Gkobge Didsbubt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB79. Price Is. 6d.]