A.—7

4

Have honor to suggest that said Act be referred to Her Majesty's Attorney-General, with view to disallowance if void. Deep feeling of wrong pervades province. Provincial Executive pressed to convene Provincial Council, and assert political rights conferred by Constitution Act. J. Macandrew, Superintendent of Otago.

No. 7. His Excellency the Governor to His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. 11th October, 1876. I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's telegram of this day's date. Irwin C. Maling, 35th Begt., Private Secretary.

No. 8. Memorandum for His Excellency. Beferring to the telegrams addressed to the Bight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies by the Superintendent of Auckland and the Superintendent of Otago —copies of which were forwarded by their Honors to His Excellency, and by His Excellency were transmitted for the information of the Government —Ministers respectfully advise His Excellency to telegraph to the Secretary of State that in their opinion there is no reason to fear, upon the coming into operation of " The Abolition of Provinces Act, 1875," any such consequences as those predicted by the two Superintendents. The Counties Bill, intended to provide machinery for really Local Government, with which to replace Provincial institutions, has been passed by the House of Bepresentatives by large majorities; and in the Legislative Council, the Bill has been read the second time without a division. Wellington, 12th October, 1876. , H. A. Atkinson.

No. 9. His Excellency the Governor to the Bight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies. WeUington, 12th October, 1876. Superintendents of Auckland and Otago have sent telegrams to your Lordship direct, forwarding copies to me. Copies laid by me before Parliament. Ministers advise no reason to fear the consequences predicted, in which I entirely concur. Counties Bill, to replace provinces, passed Lower House by large majority. Second reading passed Council without division. NORMANBY. Earl Carnarvon, Colonial Office, London.

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