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Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 52, 25 February 1846, Page 3

Downing Street, Bth August, 1845. Sir,—l enclose copies of a correspondence with the New Zealand Company, on the subject of the authority of the legislature of New Zealand, as at present constitated, to impose taxes on her Majesty's subjects inhabiting that colony. I enclose also the copy of an opinion on the Same* subject, given for the information and guidance of her Majesty's Government, by the Attorney and Solicitor-General, and by Sir Thomas Wilde, who held the office of Attorney.General under the last Administration. I departed from the usual course of proceeding In obtaining the joint opinion of the past and the pre Seat law officers of the Crown, partly on account of the magnitude and importance of the principle in debate, and partly because Sir Thoitas Wilde (the only one of the former law officers now remaining at the bar) had been consulted by Lord John Kussell when the charter for the government of New ZerJsad was issued,* and was, therefore, peculiarly prepared to explain the legal grounds on which that measure had been taken, and on which it was to be defended. You will see that the legal advisers of the Crown entertain no doubt of the right of the existing legislature of New Zea'and to impose taxes and duties on the Queen's subjects inhabiting that colony. I have reason to know that other lawyers of considerable authority, and of great experience on such questions, fully concur in the same opinion. I must, there, conclude that Mr; Burge is in error in this case. In tbe administration of the government of New Zealand, you vi 1 take the joint opinion of the Attorney snd Solicitor-General, and of Sir Thomas Wilde, as tbe rules for your guidance ; and if iM r . Burge's opinion should have been made public there (as will probably have been the case), you will give equal publicity to the joint opinion, of the thred legal advisers of the Crown, which I now transmit to you. I have, &c., (Signed) Stanley Governor Grey, &c. &c.

sinrere in their desire ;V a termination of hostilities, Nene has come to Auckland in the Victoria, with the concurrence of the other friendly chiefs iv alliance wMi him. to acquaint his Excellency of the submiss ; on of Heke and Kovviti, and to intercede in their behalf. The two rebel chiefs throw thomselves"wbolly on the mercy of his Excellency, resigning all their lands, and leaving it entirely to him to dictate the terms, on which peace and order are to be re-e-tablUhed st the noithern part of the island. "We understand that his Excellency does not intend to deprive Heke and Kiwiti cf thier lands, or to make them an sppendsge to the property of the Crown. We consider this to b3 most wise policy, and its moral effect on the minds of the natives, throughout the islands, will be great and beneficial; as it will prore that the Queen does not take up arms and carry on wars for the purpose of depriving the natives of their lands and properties, but to enforce submission to the laws. If our loyal allies are anxious that the rebels should be spared further chastisement, and are also well assured that their present submission is sincere, and attiibutable to the effect and proof recently given to them that the Queen will not allow insult to her flag, or robbery and outrage to her subjects to pass with impunity ; then we consider it-would be no less consistent with justice and wi'.b. mercy, at once to grant full pardon and obliterate the past. We learn that Nene will return immediately to the Biy •• f Islands, and that peace will ?oonbe permanently established in that district. The blockade will be removed, from the northern ports, on the Ist February, and the custrnis re.established. Two hundred troops will remain there, with -the Racehorse aud Osprey men-of-war.