IL—26

6

No. 9. The Premier to His Excellency the Governor. Memorandum for His Excellency. Sic Geoege Gret presents his respectful compliments to the Marquis of Normanby. Sir George Grey will feel much obliged to the Governor if he will be so good as to direct that Sir George Grey be supplied with a copy of the minute His Excellency caused to be entered in the record-book of the proceedings of the Executive Council on the 14th ultimo, with reference to the remarks the Governor thought proper upon that day to address to Sir George Grey. Wellington, 3rd February, 1879. G. Geey.

No. 10. His Excellency the Governor to the Premier. Memorandum for the Hon. Sir George Grey. The Governor presents his compliments to Sir George Grey, and, in compliance with the request contained in his memorandum dated February 3rd, the Governor begs to enclose a copy of the minute which was made by the Clerk of the Executive Council, of what took place at the Council on the 14th of January. Government House, Wellington, sth February, 1879. Nobmanby.

Enclosure. Extbact from Minute of Executive Council of 14th January, 1879. The Governor expressed his satisfaction that the Premier was present, because he had some remarks to make before proceeding to other business, and which he preferred making in his presence. Soon after he had accepted the government of Victoria, he had intimated to Ministers present that it would be a great convenience to himself aud Sir Hercules Robinson if they would allow the " Hinemoa" to take him to Melbourne, and then to proceed to Sydney and bring Sir Hercules Robinson on here; that he had expressly stated that he did not ask it as a matter of right, but as a matter of courtesy; and that he was quite ready himself to pay for the coal consumed. That five Ministers out of the seven had expressed their readiness to concur in this arrangement, but that it would be necessary to refer the matter to the Premier, but that he should have an answer in a few days. That Sir George Grey had now been in Wellington for a week, and that the Postmaster-General had informed His Excellency's Private Secretary that he had spoken to Sir George Grey upon the subject, and that he had promised to write to the Governor the same day upon the subject —still no answer had been sent. That the question of whether the " Hinemoa " was sent or not was not the question in point, as that was a matter entirely within the discretion of Ministers; but that the Governor was entitled to the courtesy usually extended from one gentleman to another, and that he had a right to complain that no answer had been sent: that now he begged to inform Sir George Grey that he had in consequence made his own arrangements, and that he should leave on the 11th of February, land at Christchurch, and finally embark at the Bluff, in the " Arawata," for Melbourne. Sir George Grey assured His Excellency that no discourtesy was intended; that he was still giving the subject his consideration. His Excellency stated that, under the circumstances, it was difficult for him to believe it, and that Sir George Grey, when he was himself a Governor, would have been the first to resent any treatment of the kiud.

Authority: George Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB79.

Price 6d.j