With reference to the recommendation of the Honorable the Minister for Native Affairs for carrying out the arrangement proposed by His Excellency the Governor in the second paragraph of his Memorandum dated the 12th March 1861, I take the liberty of making a few observations. I am quite prepared to meet the wishes of the Government by relinquishing the office of Chief Land Purchase Commissioner, and retaining that of Native Secretary. As, however, my tenure of the latter office would be contingent upon the continuance of existing arrangements for the management of Native affairs, ceasing in the event of the ''Native Council Act'' being brought into operation, I feel it to be but due to myself, after seventeen years service, and before taking a step which may practically involve my retirement from the Government, to submit my claim for some public and substantial recognition of past services in the shape of a retiring allowance.