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been great, for while on the one hand it was bound to order an inquiry into the existence of alleged abuses, it was on the other, its obvious duty to prevent if possible the scandal which public contentions between high functionaries necessarily create, and which the circumstances of the Colony have tended materially to aggravate.
I have thought it desirable in order to prevent any complaints on the part of the Gentlemen concerned to send to you a copy of the correspondence which has passed the Government and NPJ @ 4. I refer to the Memorandum of the Colonial Secretary for a Statement of its official action in this matter. I beg to say that I entirely approve of the course Mr Mercer has pursued.
That it would have been most desirable (if possible) to prevent these disputes becoming as they have become elements for ministering to local prejudices and passions is obvious, and every effort has been made on my part for this object - but without success. When the question of the proceedings of Mr. Mitchell as Shang...