A. 3a

52

I need scarcely remind your Excellency that the district in which that lake is situated has never been acquired from the Natives, whilst they have always refused their permission to any European keeping a ferry there. I would, however, point out that, even if the Government had had the assent of the Natives, the means from which the outlay necessary in establishing ferries —viz., the Land Fund —ought to come are in the hands of the New Zealand Company, whose Agent in the colony is thus taking a part in casting a stigma upon the Government for not doing that which ought properly to be done out of a fund over which either he or the body he represents have the whole and sole control. 6. With regard to the 9th resolution, on the subject of a gaol, I have alreadv addressed your Excellency in the following despatches : No. 21, 12th March, 1849 ; No. 60, 9th June, 1849 ; No. 65, 19th August, 1850. I have, Ac, His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, &c. E. Eyee.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 1 in No. 26. Mr. Doeset to the Eight Hon. Earl Geey. My Lobd, — Wellington, New Zealand, 6th September, 1850. I have the honour to forward to your Lordship certain resolutions unanimously passed by the Settlers' Constitutional Association of this place. I have, &c., John Doeset, The Eight Hon. Earl Grey, &c. Chairman of the Settlers' Constitutional Association.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 1 in No. 26. Eesolutions of the Settlees' Constitutional Assogiation. Wellington, New Zealand, 30th August, 1850. At a meeting of the Settlers' Constitutional Association, held at Barrett's Hotel on Monday, the 19th August, the following resolutions were unanimously passed : — 1. Moved by William Fitzherbert, Esq.; seconded by J. B. Godley, Esq.: " That the Association approves and reciprocates the sentiments of the Colonial Eeform League as expressed in the prospectus of that body, and learns the fact of the creation of that society with feelings of great satisfaction, believing that it is calculated to promote not only the welfare of the colonies, but the permanency and strength of the Imperial power ; since its views, if carried out, would exhibit the latter no longer in the aspect of a harsh stepmother, interfering in the affairs of her offspring only to irritate, thwart, or annoy, but as a kind and judicious parent, whose sole desire is to contribute to the happiness of her progeny by aiding in their establishment in the world, satisfied with the tribute of their affection, though their advancement involves, as it necessarily does, relaxation of parental control." 2. Moved by John Johnston, Esq.; seconded by J. H. Wallace, Esq. : " That in accordance with the recommendation of the Colonial League, this Association do appoint agents in London, and that C. B. Adderley, Esq., M.P., and Sir William Molesworth, Bart., M.P., be requested to accept of the office." 3. Moved by John Wallace, Esq.; seconded by Mr. George Waters: " That a corresponding committee, consisting of Messrs. Eox, Godley, Fitzherbert, Featherston, and Lyon, be appointed to communicate from time to time with the Colonial Beform League and the agents of the settlements, as well as with the settlers in other parts of New Zealand and the Australian Colonies; and that such committee shall act without previous reference to the Association, but shall lay their correspondence before the next general meeting." 4. Moved by A. de B. Brandon, Esq.; seconded by Mr. John Mcßeth: " That the Appropriation Ordinance for the year ending the Ist July, 1850, having expired, and Sir George Grey having directed the Lieutenant-Governor not to summon a Legislative Council, as the latter proposed, for the purpose, among other things, of submitting to it in the usual manner the annual estimates, the expenditure of the revenue of this province since Ist of July last without the sanction of the Legislature on the mere warrant of the Lieutenant-Governor is illegal, unconstitutional, and arbitrary. And this Association considers that Sir George Grey's refusal to allow the Council to hold its annual sittings affords additional proof how mere a pageantry and make-believe that Council is, since the Executive authorities are able thus to prevent its reassembling, and to assume to themselves the uncontrolled disposal of the revenue without consulting it." 5. Moved by W. B. Ehodes, Esq.; seconded by K. Samuel, Esq.: "That the nominees are placed in a most humiliating light, but in one which is perfectly just, by Lord Grey, who, in his published despatch of the 22nd December last, addressed to the Governor-in-Chief, informs the latter 'that it is practically immaterial what official salaries are charged to the Civil List so long as the revenue is appropriated by himself, with the aid of a Legislative Council nominated by the Crown and acting under the direction of Her Majesty's Government,' thereby clearly implying that any attempt of the nominees to act independently will not be countenanced or permitted, but that his Lordship intends them to be (as they most undoubtedly are) the mere puppets and obedient servants of Sir George Grey, in conformity with whose wishes they are bound on all occasions to act." 6. Moved by William Dorset, Esq. ; seconded by Mr. Eowland Davis : " That, remembering the usual financial position of the local Government and the fact that during the past year it has twice suspended payment, this Association has heard, without the least surprise, of its having appropriated for general purposes a considerable sum of money lying in the hands of the Sub-Treasurer at Nelson, to the credit of the Intestate Estates Fund. That so gross a breach of a most sacred trust affords but little evidence of the fitness of the local Government for the office of regulating the public currency and receiving large sums of money in the exercise of that prerogative. That the former practice in reference to intestate estates, by which their proceeds, till distribution, were deposited in the hands of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, was one which ought never to have been departed from, And that Sir George Grey's act, in taking such funds out of the hands of the Eegistrar and