G..—No. Ba.'

THE NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

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the proportion of members of Council to be assigned to Otago, no member of Government at Wellington is aware of any understanding that Otago should have any given number of members. Residence will always give Otago its full influence. As regards ministers of religion, Government appreciate Dr. Burns' claim to the utmost consideration, but the question has been fully considered, and the Government cannot alter the rule on which they have acted without creating invidious distinctions between religious denominations. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. W. Gisborne. A copy of the above was telegraphed to His Honor J. Macandrew.

No. 22. Mr. W. H. Reynolds to the Hon. W. Gisborne. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 30th September, 1870. In consequence of some difficulty having arisen in the amalgamation of the Otago with the New Zealand University, I beg respectfully to request that you relieve me from acting on the Council of the latter. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington. Wm. H. Reynolds.

No. 23. The Hon. Major Richardson to the Hon. W. Gisborne. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 30th September, 1870. I have thankfully to decline the nomination to the New Zealand University Council, which you were good enough to offer for my acceptance. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. Richardson.

No. 24. Circular. Sie, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 16th November, 1870. I have the honor to forward copy of " The New Zealand University Act, 1870," together with a list of persons proposed to be appointed to the Council under the Act; and I shall feel obliged if you will inform me whether you will be prepared to give the Colony the benefit of your services in the capacity of a member. I have, Ac, W. Gisborne. The above Circular was sent to — The Hon. J. B. A. Acland, M.L.C, Canterbury. His Honor W. Rolleston, M.G.A., Christchurch. The Hon. Robert Campbell, M.L.C, Otago. G. Turnbull, Esq., Dunedin. Sir D. Monro, Nelson. The Hon. E. AV. Stafford, Nelson. J. E. FitzGerald, Esq., C.M.G., Wellington.

No. 25. Mr. J. E. FitzGeeald, C.M.G., to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir,— Controller's Office, Wellington, 22nd November, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, received yesterday, requesting me to state whether I am prepared to give the Colony the benefit of my services in the capacity of a member of the Council of the University, established under " The New Zealand University Act, 1870," and enclosing a list of the names of those gentlemen whom it is proposed to associate with me in that office. After giving the subject my best consideration, and with every disposition to aid in the proposed object, I feel it imperative upon me to decline tho offer which the Government has done me the honor to make. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, James Edward FitzGerald. AVellington.

No. 26. Mr. G. Turnbull to the Hon. W. Gisborne. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 19th December, 1870. Obliged by proposal of Government, but it will not be convenient for me to act as member of the University Council. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Geo. Turnbull.