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Sir,— Office of the Minister of Justice, Wellington, 6th May, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant, covering copies of resolutions passed at a meeting of Nelson citizens on Thursday last, with reference to the recent police changes in that city. With regard to resolution No. 3,1 have no hesitation in saying that the statement contained therein is entirely unwarranted and absolutely without foundation in fact. I have, &c, John Graham, Esq., M.H.R., Nelson. Jas. McGowan.

Sir,— . Nelson, 2nd May, 1902. In compliance with a resolution passed at a very large public meeting of the citizens of Nelson, held last night, and by request of the Mayor of Nelson, I have the honour to forward you herewith copies of six resolutions which were adopted and passed by the meeting. Yours, &c, Hon. Jas. McGowan, Minister of Justice, Wellington. John Graham. Six enclosures, numbered from 1 to 6, containing resolutions referred to above. C. of P.—For file.—J. McG. 6/5/02.

Resolution No. 1. That this meeting deeply regrets the action of the Government in overriding the finding of the Commissioner of Police by deciding to remove and disrate Sergeant Mackay and calling upon Constables Burrell and Durbridge to resign, without first acceding to the request for a public inquiry into the charges made against them. J. G. Resolution No. .2. That this meeting expresses its high appreciation of the straightforward, independent, and efficient manner in which the services of the police have been performed during the time that Sergeant Mackay has been in charge of the Nelson Station ; and also expresses its deep sympathy with those suffering by the injustice that has been done them, not by the Commissioner of Police, nor by any departmental inquiry, but by the refusal of the Government to grant a respectful request for a public inquiry into charges that may have been made against them. J. G. Resolution No. 3. That this meeting strongly protests against the action of the Government in coming to an important decision in regard to members of the Police Force upon charges received by the Cabinet in private, and which the accused have had no opportunity of rebutting —a method of procedure contrary to all British justice. J. G. Resolution No. 4. That this meeting expresses its appreciation and thanks to the member for the district for the way in which he has brought the matter before the notice of the Government, and requests him not to relax his efforts in the endeavour to obtain the fullest and best public inquiry. J. G. Resolution No. 5. That a Vigilance Committee be formed to co-operate with Mr. John Graham, M.H.E., in endeavouring to secure a full inquiry into any charges against the Nelson Police Force that may have been brought before the Cabinet; such Committee to consist of the Eev. J. H. McKenzie. and Messrs. Eout, Bond, James Graham, F. N. Jones, Moyes, Finney, Fathers, Hanby, Haddow, Mercer, Gibbs, Baigent, and Dr. Gibbs, with power to add to their number. J. G. Resolution No. 6. That the Mayor be requested to forward copies of all resolutions passed at this meeting to the Government through their member. J. G.

Telegram. 29th April, 1902. H. Baigent, Esq., Nelson. Minister of Justice informs me that he has replied officially to your communication this morning. I can assure you Ministers have considered the whole matter very carefully, and it is quite evident that those who are agitating cannot be aware of the whole of the facts. There is no objection to all the correspondence being laid upon the table of the House after Parliament meets. Kind regards to Mrs. Baigent and yourself. J. G. Ward.

Telegram, 29th April, 1902. H. Baigent, Esq., Mayor of Nelson. Cabinet have decided that departmental orders re Police Force at Nelson must be carried out. Jas. McGowan.

Telegram, 29th April, 1902. J. Graham, Esq., M.H.E., Nelson. Cabinet have decided that departmental orders re Police Force at Nelson must be carried out. Jas. McGowan.