THE CONSPIRACY (?) AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.

Western Star, Issue 295, 3 May 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE CONSPIRACY (?) AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.

The following communication appears in the Christchurch ‘ Press ’ : I have hitherto abstained from taking any public notice of the excitement that has been got up about a telegram sent to mo by the Hon. Mr Waterhouse and my telegram in reply. In the first instance I looked upon the importance given to it as a mere joke, and since then the matter has assumed a more serious aspect I have felt obliged to keep silence until 1 could, communicate with Mr Waterhouse and obtain his sanction to the publication of his message to me. Having obtained this, I now request you to publish the telegrams, from which it will bo seen that the whole story of Mr Waterhouse having suggested to me the materials out of which a Ministry could bo formed to supplant Sir George Grey’s Government, and of my having proposed an altered list of names for the same purpose, is a complete fabrication from beginning to end. The signature to Mr Waterhouse’s telegram was ‘Whithouse,’ which I perhaps hastily mistook for Whitmore. In print the two words bear but little resemblance, but in the hurried writing of a telegraph clerk ‘ Whithouse’ may be made too look at first sight like ‘ Whitmore,’ and in this instance it was so. Hence my mistake in sending to Colonel Whitmore a reply to the telegram sent to me, as it afterwards turned out, by Mr Waterhouse. — John Hall.

The following is a copy of the telegrams Hon. J. Hall, Christchurch.—Ministerial crisis seems impending. Grey persistently refuses to sanction Luckie’s appointment. Other Ministers unanimously insist upon it, their honor being involved. Little probability of compromise. Opinion prevails that Grey wishes to compel his colleagues to resign, so as to form a Ministry entirely responsible to himself.—G. M. Wiiitiiouse.

Hon. Colonel Whitmore, Wellington.—(Private)— Thanks for telegram just received. Concur as to Grey’s object. Confident such Ministry would not be supported either by House or country. Stevens concurs. —J. Hall.