THE GOVERNOR AND THE TELL-TALE CLERK.

Colonist, Volume XIII, Issue 1287, 25 January 1870, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR AND THE TELL-TALE CLERK.

A Wellington correspondent of the Westport Times, writes: —

" A nice little story is going the rounds now in connection with the institution of a decorative distinction for our Colonial forces. You may remember the order in Council in March last, instituting the New Zealand Colonial medal. Well, it appears that no onu lias a right to establish such a decoration in fche Queen dominions except her Majesty, and Sir George Bowen has received a severe reprimand from the Homo Government for having assumed the Royal prerogative. The Home Government, however, while censuring the action of the Governor, has ratified the order of the Executive Council of New Zealand, and intimates the Queen's "desire that the arrangements made by the order in Council aforesaid may be considered established from the date of thafc order by her Majesty's direct authority." The Evening Post here announced some time ago that Sir George Bowen had received a severe reprimand, a part ofthe news which the Government had endeavored to keep quiet, while they liberally announced the fact of tha ratification of the institutions, and there is no little stir at the Government Buildings as to how the Post received their information. Sir George Bowen, annoyed that the fact should be known, has written down from Auckland insisting thafc an inquiry into the matter should be held, and that instant dismissal from the service shall be the punishment of any clerk who may have mentioned outside bis office the, to him, unpleasant news. Rather a paltry way of ventiDg his annoyance at the reprimand that would be, but then his Excellency does paltry things."