Sir,—

I herewith transmit to you a charter (or letters patent) under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom, providing for the future administration of the Government of New Zealand as a separate Colony. This instrument has been issued by the Queen in pursuance of the authority vested in Her Majesty by the Act of the last session of Parliament, 3 and 4 Victoria, c. 62, s. 2.

I also transmit a commission under the Great Seal, by which Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint you to be the first Governor of New Zealand.

With these letters patent I also transmit instructions, under the royal signet and sign-manual, for the guidance of yourself and your successors in the administration of the government of the Colony.

I further enclose a schedule of a future civil establishment for New Zealand, embracing a list of the principal offices of your Government, with the salaries to be attached to those offices.

This series is completed by the accompanying instructions, which, at my instance, the Lords of the Treasury have caused to be prepared for your guidance, and that of the officers serving under you, in whatever relates to the receipt, expenditure, and management of the public revenue.

After publication shall have been duly made at the principal settlement at New Zealand, and, as far as may be practicable, in the other settlements, of the letters patent and charter above mentioned, you will be invested with every power which may be required for the regular conduct of affairs, with-page 29out any further reference to the Government of New South Wales, or any dependence of your own authority, or that of the Governor of any other British colony. From that time your correspondence will be addressed directly to myself. It remains that I should indicate, for your guidance, some of the general rules by which your official conduct will be directed. With a view to perspicuity, I shall endeavour to arrange them under the following heads:—

I.	Legislation.
II.	Administrative authority.
III.	The use of the public revenue.
IV.	The aborigines.
V.	The sale and settlement of waste lands; and
VI.	The general care of the education of youth, and the religious instruction of all classes within your government.