SIR GEORGE GREY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 241, 1 July 1876, Page 23

SIR GEORGE GREY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL. Sir, —From a published telegraphic correspondence between Sir George Grey and Sir Donald McLean, concerning purchase of the Hungahunga block, I learn that Sir George puts certain queries, as Superintendent of the Auckland province, to the Chief Land Purchase Commissioner. Of this case I know nothing; but allow me to premise that if Sir George can manage to root out any job whatever, he is entitled to the thanks of the community, my own included. I have been myself engaged on this Bort of work any time the last thirty years, and welcome a recruit to the field. But what I want to know is this,—by what right does he put the queries as Superintendent ? As a member of the House he has an undoubted right to put them ; I will go further, and admit that he has a right, even as a taxpaying citizen; but how as Superintendent ? I refer in vain to the Constitution Act, where I find power to make laws for the government of a province, but none to interfere with the proceedings of the General Government. Such powers may have been conferred by some A.ct of the Assembly which I have overlooked; if so, I shall thank you for pointing it out, and apologise for my own ignorance. But mark, I shall not be satisfied with vague declamation in reply about the Superintendent’s duty to uphold the honor of the province, and so forth. You know me well enough to be sure that I am not likely ever to accept anything short of a precise and definite answer, or logical reasoning. Sentimentalism is out of place in politics. But I have for some while past satisfied myself that Sir George does not understand the duties of Superintendent. An unfortunate accident happened to the frog who tried to blow himself out to the size of the ox. Possibly he may be challenged to explain in the House. May I be permitted to express a hope that his reply will not be characterised by that haziness which mostly overlies whatever he says or writes. —I am, &c., Hugh Carleton. Salona, Bay of Islands, June 15.