MR. STAFFORD AND THE MINISTERIAL RESIDENCE.

Colonist, Volume XII, Issue 1216, 3 September 1869, Page 3

MR. STAFFORD AND THE MINISTERIAL RESIDENCE.

But that, by the latest Wellington advices, Mr. Stafford, though at lea»t two months out of office, was stil{ in occupation of the Ministerial residence, we should have looked on the following extract from the Wellington correspondence of the Hawlce's Bay Herald as being a malicious canard ; but the details are so circumstantial that the affair seems truthful, and, if so, our readers can select their own- proper epithet. The Herald's correspondent cays : —

" The only one of the late team who hangs on is the late Premier, and he, although long turned out of office, still sticks to the Ministerial residence. A really unpardonable abuse of accidental circumstances is used by Mr. Stafford to retain bis bold upon the official residence. The facts of the case are as follows, and can he relied upon as accurate A fortnight after Mr. Fox assumed office, finding no offer of moving out of the Prime Minister's house was made by Mr. Stafford, Mr. Fox is said to have written to him to know when it would be convenient to move. To this no reply was male by the occupant. A month passed by, and an official intimation was sent requesting Mr. S. to turn out. This brought a reply of a most unexpected character. I should now tell you that, Government House being re-built, his Excellency the Governor is residing in a private residence lately occupied by N. Levin Esq. This residence was taken for the use of his Excellency by the late Government. The lease was, in the first instance, drawn out in the name of the Queen ; but this being objected to by the lessor, Mr. Stafford's name was inserted, and the lease was accordingly made to Mr. Stafford, of course anting for the Government, who have paid the rent. However, when Stafford was pressed the other day to give up the Ministerial residence, he declared that if the Government turned him out he would turn out the Governor, he claiming that the Governor's house was his, the lease being in his name. There the matter stands. Mr. Fox dare not insist upon Ins rights, for no one doubts that, with the -disregard of all proper considerations which is the peculiar characteristic of the late Premier, be would carry out his threat."