a letter from Mr Antrobus to the Colonial Secretary, demanding explanation of the instructions given by the Government to Mr Mitchell, to which reply was made that such Instructions did not form the subject of discussion between Government and third parties.
This reply was given on the 26th November, and on 16 December three of the Justices again addressed the Colonial Secretary on the subject of the Circular and its stoppage; though it was plainly shown to them that Mr Austly as No 2. Justice had so stopped it, they persisted in designating its arrest as an official act of the Peace and further argument was consequently impossible.
In the above facts I beg to remark that this Government is in no way responsible for any action of Mr Austly as a Justice of the Peace any more than for the proceedings of any other of the Bench, and that the question was one of etiquette between Mr Austly and his Brother Magistrates, with which the Government was in no way concerned.