SEPARATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 482, 23 February 1861, Page 5

SEPARATION.

The following correspondence ha 3 been handed to us by the Provincial Government for publication: — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 27th Dec, 1861. Siu,— l wrote you on the 12th July last a letter, of which a copy is annexed. Mr. Gillies, when at the Assembly, I understand, made enquiry respecting the Petition mentioned in my said letter, but was informed that it had not arrived, and as the receipt of that letter has not been acknowledged, I fear that it may have been mislaid in your ofHee. I have, therefore, the honor to draw your immediate .attention to the matter, with a view to my giving an explanation to the .Petitioners as to the reason why their Petition was not forthcoming when the subject of the New Provinces Act was before the last Assembly. I have the honour to be, Sir, Tour most obedient servant, Jahm Macandrew, Superintendent. To the Honourable the Colonial Secretary, Auckland. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, Ist Feb., 1861. • Sir,— ln reply to your Honor's letter of the 27th December last, I have to inform you that your letters of 10th July, 1860, and 12th July, 1860, respectively, enclosing Petitions from Settlers in the Mimhiku District, reached this department on the 25th of the same month, and directions were given for an acknowledgment of their receipt, and the omission of any mention of the letter of 12th July in the printed form of such acknowledgment was accidental. I cannot find that Mr. Gillies enquired at this office respecting the arrival of the Petition in question I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Honor's most obedient humble servant, Hjsnry John Tancrkp, (In Mr. Stafford's absence,) .His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 2nd Feb., 1861. Sm, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter of the 2nd ultimo, transmitting a Memorial from the Provincial Council of Otago to his Excellency the Governor, praying that in the event of any Petition being presented to his Excellency for the creation of any portion of the Province of Otago into asepara c Province, an opportunity may be given to the Provincial Government of Otago of authenticating the signatures before any action is taken therein. This prayer your Honor strongly recommends to be granted. Since the date of the receipt of that letter a Petition has been received to the effect above stated, and I enclose a copy of it and of the signatures attached thereto, for the information of your Honor and the Provincial Council. • , At the same time I have, to observe that the Act does not authorize any delay for the purpose of allowing a reference to be made "to the Superintendent and Provincial' Council for authentication of signatures. > . < I have the honour to be, * " ~ .? Sir, Your very obedient servaut, Henry John Tancrbd, < (In the absence of Mr. Stafford.) His Honor the Superintendent of Otago, Duneclin. * .