Since writing this Despatch further Communication has been received from the Acting Surveyor General, but it is not of a character to induce an alteration of the decision at which I had arrived.
8135 A Mr Merinale. See 9234. I am afraid that you will have no alternative, but to prepare a précis, if I thought it necessary, of this long correspondence between the Under Secretary General, & the Acting Governor on the part of the local Govt. I should be better able to judge.
I am disposed to think that the Colonial Authorities are not very supportive. They should do more to actively execute their duty. I am unable to trace anything objectionable in Capt. Cooper's mode of fulfilling this office - nor any sufficient grounds for complaints against his defence.
But I think the Governor was not justified in refusing to send the consideration of this representation to the E: Council & refusing to send it to the Authority to whom it was addressed.
I am inclined to think Capt. Cooper started in rather an overbearing way. But the difficulties he encountered were real: and the allegation at p. 19. that the stipendiary magistrates, who have to enforce the Sanitary Regulations, are themselves largely engaged in building transactions, is a matter of some weight.
I annex the draft of a despatch which I would suggest. I think Capt Cowper's letters show some want of judgement & patience & I concur with the whole despatch with a single slight alteration.
No 23 Oct