Government House, Auckland. 3rd October, 1854.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIII, Issue 908, 11 March 1856, Page 3

Government House, Auckland. 3rd October, 1854.

Sir, — Seeing in a copy of the ' Morning Her.ild,' of the 27th of June last, that a serious attack lias been made upon my character, during a debate in the House of Commons on ftew Zealand affairs, I deem it right that I should place you in possession of the facts that led to my election as Supeiintendent of the Auckland Province, as I feel con - yin -ed enoneous impressions have been circulated as to my conduct on the occasion. •2. When the general wish of the inhab ; tants. that I (the late Lieut.-Governor) should, undei the New Constitution, bsiomc their Superintendent was made known to me, I distinctly and instantly declined the honour proposed, as I considered it might be deemed by the authorities (civil and military) inconsistent With my position as senior military officci in this command, and, as su^h in immediate sxiecession to the Governor, in the case ot his absence, &c. 3. It was not until I had laid before me a renewed icquest, accompanied by an address, signed by upwaids of 500 of the electors of the Province, that I yielded my own opinions, and then only subject to the approval of the Governor and the Commander-in-chief: I now do myself the honour to enclose, for your information, copies of the whole correspondence on the subject. 4. I think it but right to add that I never, in any way whatever, exerted myself to attain my return. I never canvassed a single vote, or incurred the slightest outlay. I declined to appear at the hustings, on the day of nomination, and excused myself fiom offering the usual public thanks on the day that I was returned. I neither exerted my influence with the troops or sanctioned any other person doing so on the occasion. In fact, if personal coolness or indifference could have damped the wishes of the majority of the electors, my proceedings must have done it. 5. I have not ventured to address this despatch in the hope of reviving the question, but merely for the purpose of preserving my reputation, at the Colonial Office, as a servant of the Crown, and if possible to relieve a mistaken impression that appears to have been formed on the minds of certain members of the House of Commons, especially on that of the late Secretary of State, Sir John Pakington. I have, &c, (Signed.) R. H. Wtnyakd, Officer administering the Government. The Right Honourable, Sir George Grey, Bart., &c.