12
13
524
his opposition on finding that he could not get the slightest support either in or out of the Council.
11. As regards the controversial aspect of what has been published by Mr Price and Mr. Ford, I accept the full responsibility of having allowed the rival reports and letters to be printed. Mr. Price's colleagues on the Executive Council, Dr. Stewart and Mr. O'Malley concur with me in thinking that he is entirely wrong in regarding Mr. Ford's report of 16th October 1879 as a calumnious "document." I have been at some pains to investigate the more important details that are in dispute between them, and I cannot detect a substantial error in Mr. Ford's many statements. I cannot therefore advise Your Lordship to comply with Mr. Price's request that Mr. Ford's report be cancelled and expunged?
12. It is some satisfaction to know that in spite of all this controversy the Botanical Gardens and the tree planting of the Colony are now making real progress. I attribute this mainly to Sir Michael Hicks Beach's decision and the policy laid down in Sir Joseph Hooker's Memorandum.
13. ... failed as a tree planter. He has no ...