The Colonial Office to the Council Office.

I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Queensland, enclosing a petition from the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly of the colony concerning questions which have arisen between those two page 33 bodies with regard to their relative rights and powers, together with certain documents which are specified in a schedule to the despatch, and which are in the nature of exhibits to the petition.

I shall feel obliged if you will be so good as to submit these papers to the Queen, with a recommendation that Her Majesty may be graciously pleased to refer this matter to the hearing and consideration of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, in pursuance of the power reserved to Her Majesty by the Act 3 and 4 Will. 4, c. 41, s. 4.

I should also be glad to be favoured with your opinion whether it is desirable that the case should be argued by counsel on behalf of the two Houses of the colonial Legislature, and whether each House should be represented separately.