MEMORANDA RELATIVE TO CALLING J. N. WILSON, ESQ., TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1877 Session I, A-04

A.—4

1877. NEW ZEALAND.

MEMORANDA RELATIVE TO CALLING J. N. WILSON, ESQ., TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. No. 1. Memorandum for the Hon. the Premier. I would feel obliged if you would advise His Excellency to summon Mr. J. N. Wilson, barrister and solicitor, of Napier, to the Legislative Council, provided that you and the rest of the Cabinet agree to the appointment. There is but orre practising member of the legal profession in the Legislative Council, the Hon. Mr. Hart, aud it is exceedingly desirable that the Council should have further legal assistance to assist in their discussions. This want has been much felt since the resignation of the Hon. Mr. Sewell. Mr. Wilson stands very high in his profession, and is much respected in his own district. This appointment would not be a political measure, but one of great advantage to the Council, and through the Council to the country, and on this ground it is brought forward. Mr. Wilson has never taken any part in politics in this country, though he has been at the head of his profession in his own district for the past twenty years. G. S. Whitmore. I concur in above recommendation. J. Sheehan. J. Macandrew. J. T. Fisher. W. J. M. Larnach. 24th October, 1877.

No. 2. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Wellington, 27th October, 1877. His Excellency tire Governor is respectfully informed that, notwithstanding the opinion yesterday expressed by His Excellency that notice of a vote of want of confidence in the Government havirrg been given, he ought not to accept any advice given for calling Mr. John Nathaniel Wilson to the Legislative Council until the decision of Parliament upon that vote had been given, when, if it was favourable to the present Government, His Excellency would, in pursuance of advice then given, call Mr. J. N. Wilson to the Legislative Couucil, it is thought necessary, hoping this can be done without causing embarrassment to His Excellency, respectfully to advise the Governor to sign the accompanying writ summoning John Nathaniel Wilson, Esquire, to the Legislative Council. G. Geet.

No. 3. Memorandum by His Excellency the Governor. Wellington, 27th October, 1877. The Governor presents his compliments to Sir George Grey, and in reply to his memorandum on the subject of the appointment of Mr. Wilson to the Legislative Council, the Governor regrets that after the opinion expressed by him yesterday to Sir George Grey, the Government should have considered it necessary to press this appointment upon him, and he can only repeat in a more formal manner what he said yesterday. If Sir George Grey informs the Governor that he requires this appointment for the purpose of enabling Mr. Wilson to take office in the Government, he will make it at once. If, however, it is as Sir George Grey informed him yesterday, simply for the purpose of adding to the Legislative Council another gentleman belonging to the legal profession, there can be no pressing urgency for the appointment ; aird tho Governor is of opinion that it would be undesirable to make it at a time when a vote of want of confidence is pending. If the Government are supported by a majority of the House, the Governor will be happy to accept their advice and appoint Mr. Wilson to the Legislative Council; but, pending the decision of the Assembly, the Governor must decline to make the appointment. Normanby. By Au.: vi'y : George Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB77. Price 3d.