THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3126, 24 February 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1879.

The Colonial Secretary offers an explanation regarding the circumstances attending the departure of the Governor. He denies that a salute and guard of honor were refused to the Governor, or that they were given on a direct order from His Excellency. So far Ministers seem to be exonerated from participation in or sympathy with the studied slight put upon the Governor by the Premier. Col. Whitmore's explanation, however, is scarcely satisfactory on one point. He says: " In the absence of any communication on the subject, Ibelievedthat His Excellency meant to go on board as quietly as previous Governors on leaving Wellington had done, and that the ' salute,' as in their case, would have taken place at the point of actual departure from the colony." Now, what more suitable place in which to pay the Governor such honors as he is entitled to by right than the seat of Government, or what community could be expected to be more cordial in their leave-taking than (he people of the Empire City ? What was there to prevent the Governor receiring at each place he called the usual honors paid to Her Majesty's representative ? Although this explanation of Colonel Whitmore's shows that the statements telegraphed "were incorrect so far as Ministers were concerned, we fear the incidents immediately preceding and attending the Governor's departure will be made a strong charge in the bill of indictment against the Government next session.