All communications between the Colonial Office in Britain and colonial governments passed through the hands of the governors. As there were several types of despatch to preserve confidentiality, the Secretary of State’s offhand mention in an ‘ordinary inwards’ despatch in June 1867 that Governor George Grey was to be replaced was a deliberate slap in the face. The highlighted section reads: 'I shall then also be able to inform you of the appointment of your Successor in the Government of New Zealand and of the time at which he may be expected to arrive in the colony.'