PARLIAMENTARY. [BY TELEGRAPH.] [FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXI, Issue 5606, 14 August 1875, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY. [BY TELEGRAPH.] [FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, Friday. THE CONFISCATED LAND DEALINGS : NO CONFIDENCE. An unexpected flutter was caused with the House to-day l>y the discussion on the motion of Kir George Grey for leave to introduce a bill relating to the confiscated lands, and the dealings therewith under orders in council. The Government viewed the motion as particularly hostile, and refused to consent to leave being given to introduce such a bill. During the debate various charges were preferred against both the Government and the House, which both resented, and what at first sight seemed a simple guileless motion became really a question of no confidence, and as that, the Government took it up. The war of words was hot and keen, and the (Jovernmewt appear determined to vindicate themselves by taking a division on the (lucstion. Consent will lie refuted to withdraw the motion, or accept any amendment, and the Government will likely have a very large majority. Indeed, the Opposition will avoid a division if they can, but I think a division will be demanded, and probably a very large number of that body will leave the room.

[per press agency] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TlIUHhUAY. VARIOUS BILLS. The House of Representatives during the evening bitting was entirely engaged in Committee. The bills passed were :— The Southland Waste Lands Act, 18G5, AmendBill ; the Napier Waterworks Loan Bill ; New River Harbour Board Land Bill ; Invercargill C<as Loan Act, 1874, Amendment Bill ; Wellington Harbour He-serve Bill ; Wellington Market Reserve Sale Bill ; Inspection of Machinery Bill.

SHCOND READINGS. The Weatliuul Waste Lamia Act Amendment 'Pill ; l'nlineriton Waterworks Bill ; Auckland Institute Bill ; Auckland City Endowment and Licenses Bill ; Campbelltown Athenii'Utn Bill ; Nelson City Loan Bill ; Ann Hood Grant Bill.

DECEASED WIPE'S SISTER BILL PASSED. On going into Committee on tlio Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, Mr. I'kauck moved that the Chairman do leave the chair. Mr. Gkokok McLkan protested against trying to shelve the bill, the principle of which liiid been three times ailirmed l»y the House, and had become law in nearly every Australasian colony. A di\ lsion was callud for, the result being 2IJ in favour of going into Committee,, and l> against. Mr. O'HoitKK moved that the third reading of the bill be postponed till Wednesday, but was negatived on the voices, and the bill was read a third time and passed. Theru were 17 pairs, Mr. CimnmiiTSON, who called for a division, did so, as he stated, to expose the hiirprise attempted, and, although he voted for leaving the chair, he was a supporter of the bill. The House adjourned at 10 "30.

Friday.

IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS BILL. The House met at 2-30. The Auckland Improvement Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Brissenden-Mackay coi respondenoc was laid on the table.

THE TIMARU BOARD. Mr Rekves asked the Colonial Treasurer whether under the Act for the abolition of Provinces the Timaru and (J lads tone Board of Works will continue in posscsgion of its present privileges, whereby 25 per cent of the gross land revenue raised within the district U secured to it by an Act of the General Assembly. If so. whether the Road Board included in tlie Titnaru and Gladstone Board of AVorks will receive the same grants in aid of rates out of the general land fund of the Provincial district as are promised to other Road Boai ds. The Colonial Tkkasuukk said lie could answer both questions in tho affirmative. If the railway paid, the whole of the land fund would be available for public >\ orks as provided in the bill. As to districts having a larger share than others, that would be rectified by a special vote. The whole of the Road Boards would be in a better position, and no one would suffer at all.

KEI'UKSKNTATION BILL. Mr. Sw a sso.n asked when they might expect the iiepresentation Bill. Sir Donald McLkax said they intended to go on at present with the measures prepared, but would take an early opportunity of bringing down a lieprcientation measure a» it did not depend in any way upon the fate of the Abolition Bill.

KAIPARA RAILWAY. In reply to Mr. Shkehan, regarding the construction of tho Auckland ana Riverhead Railway. Tho Hon. Mr. Richardson said the (Jovcrtuuciit had not yot decided ; but the lion, member need not be alarmed— the railway would be constructed. There was plenty of money for it.

MR. THOMAS RUSSELL'S INSTRUC TIONS. Mr. Rollrstox gave notice of his intention to " Move for copies of any instructions or credentials given to Mr. Thomas Russell, as representing or acting for the Colonial Government," also "That there belaid on the table a return showing in detail all the payments, allowances, or gratuities made, or authorised to be made, to any agant or agents or representative of the Colonial Government on accoupt of services rendered ouUido the Colony since the 30th June, 1874, specifying services on account of which such expenditure has been made or authorised."

RETURN UNDER THl! CONSTITUTION ACT. In answer to a question from Mr. RolLESTON, The Colonial Treasurer laid nj>on tho table it return provided for in the Goth ace* tion of the Constitution Act.

11EC0VEI1Y OV 11ATES. In reply to Mr. Siieehan, Tlic Government suid the bill was in preparation for facilitating tho recovery of rates against real estate.

THE CONFISCATED LANDS. Sir (Ikorok Grev asked for leave to introduce a bill to enact that all Orders in Council in relation to tho confiscated lands which may hereafter be issued by the (Jovornment, or which may have been issued since the 20th of July last, shall bo null and void. Sii'rDoNALD McLean said the proposal was of such a character, the Oovornmont would oppose tho introduction of the bill. Sir (iF.okob Orp.v proceeded to state his reasons for asking to introduce the bill. The (Government bad already admitted the necessity for bringing the confiscated lands under the ordinary laws of tho Colony. They also admitted they had committed an illegal act regarding certain confiscated lands, and ho believed many more unlawful transactions of some kind had been done. He also believed that many persons now in the colony held lands out of the confiscated blocks without any legal title. He must protest against these secret dealings witli land, such as giving large portions of tho public estate to one gen tleman in an illegal manner, and without the knowledge of the House or country. It was, time, therefore, that some healing measure should be introduced. He denounced the practice of covering over these misdoings by Orders in Council. The hon. gentleman reviewed the previous legislation in reference to the confiscated lands, and instanced how a clause was introduced into an Act by which several private individuals were placed in a different position to other inhabitants of Auckland, Such things

.should not be allowed. The land laws of tho colony should apply to all alike. They should not )>c in a position to give one gentleman a property valued at half a million for a mere nothing. Nor should tho Government he any longer iit a position to introduce lawb to luetify their unrighteous acts. It; asking to introduce this bill, he ' wanted it to pass tin ough the House as far as the second reading, and theie relegate the matter to the next Parliament, to finally decido as to what was the beat means to correct these abuses. There would be a new unprejudiced and impartial body, and let them consummate the work begun now. Sir DoNA .d MoLkan said the Government did intend to bring in a general measure to deal with these lands, as the circumstances that once caused them to bo dealt with in a different manner to any other lands of the Colony had passed away. The Government had no objection whatever to any light being thrown upon tho transaction referred to. The more powerful the light the better ; but he would, at the outset, repel most strongly all the imputations conveyed by the lion, member. He wanted an inquiry as much as the hou. member, but he did not want to wait for another Parliament for it, because no Government in the world could afford to hit quietly down under such imputations as the hon. gentleman cast upon them. Let tho inquiry be held by' all means, and he had no hesitation in saying that the hon. gentleman Mould lind that the Government had not acted unconstitutionally or illegally, ai he would make out. The Government would accord every assistance in obtaining the amost ample investigation. There had been no back parlour work, and no scandalous dissipation of the public estate. Mr. FrrziiKRuKiiT said that tho hon. member at the head of the Government speak regarding these confiscated lands, so that one would think they were the very models of innocence. They promiaed to introduce measures to place confiscated lands under the ordinary land laws of the colony. But two years ago the very same promise had been made. They had also been told that they would get the proceeds from these lauds. 1 te could speak as to Wellington, and tell tho House that out of some £20,000 worth of land sold in this province, the province received oidy some -£53. * If tho Government were going to bring in a bill, why not do so at oneu, and let them have both bHU? What harm could be done by allowing the member for Auckland City West to bring in his bill ? Let them hare these charges of improper land transactions fully investigated. They were not afraid to talk to each other about theue things outside the House, but hitherto none seemed to have courage to open the question in the House, and he would say that anything that had fallon from the Minister at the head of the Government did not remove the 'suspicions from his mind that these improper transactions had taken place. Mr. Stafford said no doubt these Orders in Council regarding the confiscated lands were not a desirable species of legislation, but they all know that the practice regarding confiscated lauds was most exceptional, and when it was done it was wise and expedient to do mo. The hon. gentleman defended the General Government in the post for their action towards the confiscated lands in relation to the three million loan. He must tell the House that the step taken by the member for Auckland City West amounted practically to a vote of want of confidence, and should have been brought down in a different form. Having listened carefully to the hon. member for Auckland City West, he was surprised |at the cool manner in which he innulted the House. He told them that they were a partial and therefore incompetent body to decide the question issue, and the statement was made twice that the matter should be finally decided upon by a new and impartial Parliament. Another imputation thrown at the House by the hon. member for the Hutt was that until recently it displayed apathy or cowardice in nut daring to bring the charges against the Government, mid in not laying bare the improprieties of the Government known to exist. But how did such an allegation recoil upon himself? Was he always dastard enough not to raise his voice against improper practices ? Did he never pour out remonstrances in speeches of three days duration? He trusted such insults would never again ho hoard from tho member for the Hutt against the Houso and his former colleagues. As to the improper purchases referred, to, he knew nothing, though he believed he did of one particular case ; nor did ho of these Orders in Council referred to. But ho maintained that Orders in Council, when made, were as much law as any laws in the Colony. Hod the hou. member asked for au investigation, he should have hod his support, but instead of that ho burked inquiry, and insulted the House by telling, them you are not worthy to examine this matter, but relegate it to a new, fair and impartial tribunal. Imagine such a charge hanging over the heads of any Government without an opportunity for lepelling it. Imagine any Government sitting down quietly under these imputations, and allowing them to filter into the minds of the people, and go with them to the hustings to confront them at tho next election ? The idea was ingenious ; but ho trusted the House would not allow such a state of things to exist. Mr. Siikkiian said the Government should not have objected at tho initial stage to the introduction of the bill. They should have waited till its second rending. He defended the motion as a proper mode of procedure to obtain an iuquiry ; but, as the Government objected so strongly to it, ahd saw in it that which it was not intended to bo, ho would ask tho Government to give* promise to the House that no action would oe taken by them to rectify any illegal act before the inquiry was held. The Hon. Major Atkikson read the words of the resolution to show that it said nothing about an inquiry, but wanted to condemn the Government without giving them any opportunity to defend themselves. The Government were thus forced to stand or fall upon tho question raided, and however anxious for an inquiry, they would not, after the remarks made uso of in the debate, discloiiu their intention as to what jhey would or would not do ; but if a committee of inquiry was moved for, they would promise them «very asuiatauca in having » complete investigation. Mr. jUader WdbD, with all his experience of Parliament, had never seon leave refused to introduce a bill by making it a vote of want of cofidence. Everything seemed now to be regarded as a vote of want of confidence. It was fast becoming impossible to obtain any investigation. They were, in fact, gagged. Then as to the hou. member for Auckland City West insulting the Hou«o, he could not see it. He asked this House to consider tho whole question that session, but that as thore was too much business before the House this session, let the next Parliament devise and decide upon the means of dealing with tho matter. Mr. t/'uTitiiEKTSoN said the hon. member for Auckland City Weat had expressed himself to the effect that the next Parliament would be a more fair and impartial tribunal to decide such a question than the present one. Ho did not hear tho hon. inoml)or ask for an inquiry, but he hail heard the Government expressed a strong desire for tho fullest inquiry, and offering every assistance. The object of the resolution was to burk all inquiry, and to condemn the Government by a side wind. Speaking as an independent member, for ho was not a Government follower, the Government had no other course left "but to oppose such a resolution at tho very outset, and he hoped the House would show its disapprobation of such indocent taetios. Mr. T. Tj. SnitrniBO nsketl how it was that so many leading Opposition members, having no confidence in the present Ministry, had for years been silent ? They had good ground for complaint against the Government. They said a great injury to the country had been committed, by not making those charges; If the hon. member for Auckland City West really wanted an inquiry he should have moved for a Select Committee, fairly comprised of both sides, and not endeavour to condemn the Govern* ment in a most unconstitutional manner.

He would oppose the resolution, but would support tlio liou. gciitlcniuu if he would a*>k for an inquiry. Mr. D. M. LrcKiE was astonished to hear tlie House accused by one speaker of prejudice and cowardice, and by another of being corrupt and contemptible, and likening it to the French Parliament under an ancient rogimc ; mere recorders of decree*. He was glad to see the Government challenge the fullest inquiry. Mr. Reeve* said a great deal of what had been said was only throwing dust in the eyes of the House. (Hear, hear, from both aides.) It was idle for the member for Tiinaru to say ho knew nothing of these charges. Last session a gra\ c charge had been made iu the other House, and if no one clue would repent it here, he would. It was this : That the Government had, in contravention of the laws they themselves hod inado, sold a most valuable portion of the public estate, in the eentre of the North Island, to Messrs. Thomas Russell, Charles Taylor, and others, for 2s. Gd. per acre. It was certainly stated that the price was fw., but half of that was given towards making ft road through the land. That was a charge which demanded investigation. What answer did the Premier give to that charge ? While admitting that the act was illegal, he also said they intended to confirm that act. That transaction was a wanton and wicked waste of the public estate, and now when it was desired to take the iirst step towards a full and fair enquiry, they were to be denied it, ami all discussion was to be burked. Mr. IUtkiand gave the history of the case. The blocks of the confiscated land in the Waikato were eagerly bought up by the people of Auckland, but no one was found who would touch this swamp. It was inaccessible, and lay there for years. At length certain capitalists offered to purchase the block at the Government price, the price which had been previously put upon the laud when being classified. He was not prepared to say whether the Government or Company had the best of the bargain, but he knew that it was perfectly legitimate. He knew that thousands of pounds had been spent in making the road through the swamp, and hundreds of persons had been employed on it, and that the making of that road hail been a great boon to the whole district. The Government acted perfectly right in resisttoig the resolution, because it was as direct a vote of want of confidence in the Government as could possibly be. Mr. Amhjkw opposed leave for introducing the bill. The lion, member for Auckland City West said the bill was introduced to remedy certain illegal acts. If there had been any illegal action, there were the Courts of Appeal. Mr. Montoomery said, as a follower of the member forjAuckland City West, thatno want of confidence was intended. He merely wanted an inquiry. As the Government were opposed to grant any lease, and looking upon it as a vote of want of confidence, he hoped the motion would be withdrawn. (No, no ) Mr. J. K. Bkown said it appeared to him that the lion, member leading the Opposition did not understand tha nature of the motion he brought down, and he was convinced that if the party had been consulted, such a motion would not have been made. It was a most dangerous act to conceal and annul contracts, and arrangements made under orders in Council. The hon. member who professed to be anxious for an inquiry, took a most improper course to obtain it. Why did he not accept the challenge of the Government, to make an enquiry, especially after the Government offering every access to all papers connected with the case. No, that would not suit him nor his party. He regretted that the Opposition could not conduct their opposition on more constitutional grounds. Mr. Bi'NXY said the discussion had done good, became the mattcrcould not be allowed to rest there. It was duo to the Government itself. The country would expect to have the fullest information regarding the whole matter. He hoped the hon. member for Auckland City West would move for a Select Committee, and that the Government would promise to take no further action in the matter before the inquiry of the committee. Mr. Thompson considered a great deal too much power was placed in the hands of the Government in tlio way of issuing Oulers in Council. While admitting himself a follower of the member ,for Auckland City West. He regretted that he had .n<»t brought down a motion embodying his views. He did not think the object of the resolution was a vote of want of confidence, bccuuBc he did not know such a motion wan intended. Ho believed the object of the resolution was to prevent any action by the Government |to ratify an illegal act, as the Native Minister intimated to the House was intended to be done. Mr. Mkkvyn said the chief reasou which induced the South Island members to sanction the raising of the three million loan was the hope of what would be realised from the sales of confiscated lands, and it was quite right the General Government should retain complete control of these lauds. But now that circumstances had greatly changed, ho was glad to learn that the Government intended placing these lauds in the future nnder the ordinary laws of the colony. Without going uto the matters raised during the discussion he would say that the motion should be met by a direct negative, and not be allowed to be withdrawal. Mr. J. Shepherd, though generally a Government supporter, would not uphold them one minute, if he thought them guilty of so shameful a misuse of the public estate. The matter was too grave to rest where it was. The fullest enquiry must be made. At tho present position of the case it was allegation on one side, and dentals on the other. He hoped the discussion would end, and the motion be withdrawn, and that the Government would give an assurance that a full enquiry would be held. Sir Donald McLean announced that it was the intention of the Government to resume the debate at half-past 7, and continue it to its conclusion. Mr. Murk ay hoped the Government would promise nothing would be done regarding the Order in Council till the inquiry was nude. Mr. Rollkston said it would have been a derelection of duty on the part of the House had uot so grave a matter been noticed iu some more decided manner than by a mere casual expression of opinion, and the member for Selwyn deserved thanks for having brought the matter forward. He hoped the Government would move for a couunittea of inquiry. Mr. Gbokqk McLean said if a motion of no confidence was to be brought forward it should be done in a proper form. In its present shape ht oould not countenance it in any way. There could be no doubt that a vote of want of confidence was intended, because the speech of the member for Selwyn quite bore out that view. Mr. White was proceeding to move an amendment, when he was cut short at 5.80 p.m. [FROM HANSARD.]

MANGANUI TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. Mr. Williams, in asking tho Connuis•ioner of Customs : If it is tho intention of the Government to extoiul the telegraph further north to Wangaroa and Manganui ; and, if so, when it ia likely that it will be commenced ?— stated that, _in answer to a question pnfc by liim la»t session in reforence to this subject, ho was given to understand by the then Commissioner of Telegraphs, the Hon. Mr. Vogel, that it was the intention of tho Government to extend the telegraph to Wangaroa and Mangonui as noon aa tho lines to Russell and Hokianga wore completed. Those lines were now completed, and the settlers felt grateful to tho Government for the great boon that had been conferred upon them. The approximate distance from the Black Bridge, where the north lino now terminated, to Kaeo, in Wangaroa, was twenty miles ; from Kaeo to the Wangnroa Harbour, nine miles; and from Kaeo to tho Mangonui township, sixteen miles, making in all a distance of fortylive miles. It was for the most part clear and open country, and it was alleged that the cost would not bo very great. The

, Ht'ttlt'l'b f«'lt it ti» be cHfctiitial to the j>iospcrity of those f.u-o(l bcttleineiitt, that they should be connected by telegraph with the it-bt of the colony. He would remind the Government that there were over 10,000 inhabitants settled in the district which he had the honor of representing. It was true that they were for the most part, natives ; but those native* were all loyal and peaceable subjects of her Majesty. The Ngapuhi were the most warlike tribe in the country, but had ever kept themselves aloof from the king movement, and lived on terms of most iutimate friendship with the settlers. They did not ask for flour and sugar to be expended amongst them ; they were willing to work and earn a living, as all settlers.did ; but they rsked that they might receive some of the benefits of civilisation. They were greatly pleased with the telegraph, and no doubt it would be largely used by them. He trusted that, taking all things into consideration, he should receive a favourable answer from the Government. Mr. IJkynoliw was advised that the extension of the line from Kawakawa to Mangonui would involve a distance of from eighty to ninety miles, and that the cost would be something like £5,300, provided there was no bush clearing. The annual cost, including salaries, would be about £21)0, while, as far as he mi advised, the revenue would not amount to more than £40 or £.10 per annum, so that there would be a loss of about £250 per annum. Of course, it was almost impossible accurately to calculate what the revenue would be, but, taking the population, he should say that it would be about the amount he had mentioned. The honorable member must be aware that during last year there hail been an outlay, in extending the line from Auckland towards Mangonui, of about .f 1 8, 000 ; aud, that being the case, he thought the honorable gentleman should not press for a further expenditure during the present year.

RAILWAY RATES. Mr. Luckie, in moving the motion standin his name, said there had beeu considerable dissatisfaction evinced in the Province of Auckland on what appeared to be the peculiar inequality of rating on the railways. Probably that arose from the want of knowledge on the part of the public as to the difference which must necessarily exist between what was called small-goods traffic and large-goods traffic. The return he now asked for would show two things, which he thought it was desirable the public should know ; it would show what was the absolute rate for traffic on the Northern railways, and what was the rate on the Southern railways. He knew that on the question of cheap rates the very important matter of coal traffic largely depended ; and there were many excellent cool mines in the neighbourhood of the Mercer Railway, which would derive much advantage if the traffic rates were Homewhat lower than they hud been. He would not enter into any details of the subject, but ho would read a portion of a note he had received on it, as the Hon. the Minister for Public Works might be able to offer some explanation of the matter. A correspondent had written to him stating — "One day a parcel weighing 8Albs. is charged 3s. 2d. for conveyance to Papatoetoe and Mercer ; the next, a double-furrow plough, weighing 4.^cwts., going o"er the same distance, is charged the same amount for carriage " If the honorable gentleman would be good enough to give an explanation with regard to the apparent inconsistency in the price charged, he would feel obliged. He undetbtood that papers were attached to the Public Woi ks Statement which showed the position of certain railway fares ; but it would be well if information were supplied in reference to the fares charged on all the railways throughout the colony. "~*Mr.~Ricn vkdson thought it would be a very useful thing if a statement of the whole of the rates charged on the railways throughout the colony were laid on the table, and therefore he would have such a statement prepared and furnished to the House at as early a date as possible. With regard to the particular point referred to by the hononrable member for Nelson city, he might state that one of the parcel* forwarded waa a veiy small one, and the other a very large one. They were forwarded at the lowest rates chargeable — and taken each as a quarter of a ton— for conveying goods between Auckland and Papatoetoe. That would account for the difference in the rates charged. The one parcel only weighed a few pounds, and the other 4cwt. Motion agreed to.

[KHOM OURHPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] NEW ZEALAND STATE FORESTS. The following corresitondeuce on this subject has been publiihed : — The Hoh. Sir J. Vogel, K.C.M.G. to the Hon. 1). Pollen. 7 Westminster Chaml>ers, Victoria-street, Westminster, S.W., 28th May, 1875. Sir,— I have the honor to forward to you copy of a letter I have addressuil to Captain Campbell Walker, in Madras. (2) That letter sufficiently explains the nature of the offer I have made to Captain Walker, iu pursuance of tho direction of the Government to select an officer to preside over the Forests Department of New Zealand. (3). I did not some to the conclusion to make the appointment without much careful enquiry and correspondence, mostly of a private character. I have made enquiries at the India Office, and from old officers of the Indian Service, who were Connected with the .Forests Department of India. 1 have, also, made some independent enquiries. From all I have learnt I have concluded that we could not do better than secure the services of Captain Walker. It iu through representations made to me by his brother that I have reason to believe that he will be inclined to accept the appointment. Captain Walker is the gentleman whose report, published last year in a New Zealand Blue Book, may be said to have been in large measure the cause of the people of the colony taking so much interest in the forest question. I feel sure that we shall find Captain Walker in every respect a most suitable man for the office.— I have, &c, Julius Vouel. The Hon. J. Vogel, C.M.G., to Captain Walker. 7, Westminster Chambers, Vic-toria-street, Westminster, S.W., 20th May, 1 875. Sir, — I understand from your brother that you are willing to accept the appointment of Conservator of State Forests iu New Zealand. (2). There is, of course, great disadvantage in making? an appointment without previous personal conference, but, in the circumstances, this seems unavoidable. It would, however, be better, if you are prepared to accept the appointment on the conditions I propose^ that yon should have tho alternative open, if you should not like New Zealand, or if, in the colony, the appointmeut should not be approved, to reconsider the engagement. With this object, I think if you could obtain a year's leave of absence from the Government of India, ai»d proceed direct to New Zealand, it would be the better course. (3). My proposal, therefore, resolves itself into this : That you obtain leave of absence, without pay from the Government of India ; that we pay the actual cost of your passage down to New Zealand, and a salary at the rate of £800 a year from the time of leaving India. If you should not remain iu the colony, we pay tho actual cost* of your return passage, continuing the salary at the rate mentioned, until the estimated date of your return to your station. (4). I only make this proposal on the assumption that yon are willing to accept a prolonged engagement, a« it would not suit us to merely obtain your temporary services. I auk yeu, therefore, to take advantage of my ofter only if you think you will be inclined to remaiu in tho colony. (3). In that easel propose that your position shall be that of head of tho Forests Department (" Conservator of State Forests" is the term used in the Act), at a salary of £800 a year ; and that you shall be entitled to travelling allowance at the rate established in the colony, in proportion to your salary. (G). I propose that if you obtain the year's leave, and go to New Zealand, it shall be with the view of permanently taking the office on terms such as I have stated, unless some objection which you cannot foresee should arise in your mind, or unless some objection should present itself to the Government. (7). But X cannot disguise from myself that

it is very likely you may not be able to ob-. taiit the leave of absence, lu that case,, I am willing at once to make the appointment without your first visiting the colony. ■alary woultl be £800 a year and travelling allowance, as already described. The Act gives us power to guarantee employment for four yearn ; but I need scarcely say that the probability is your Appointment would be a p jruianeut one. I cannot make anything like a pioinise of increased salary, but should you succeed with the department X believe that thore will be from time to time increases. In tho case which I am now considering, of your taking the appointment without leave of absence, the Government would pay the actual cost of your passage to New Zealand — salary to commence on your arrival in the colony. (8). I am convinced that with your knowledge of forestry, you will not find it difficult to satisfy tho .people of New Zealand that the establishment of State forest*, and the organised management of all forests, will be an incalculable boon to the colony ; and, therefore, that you will bare the opportunity of a sacoataful career before you in a colony the climate of which, at least, you will Hud agreeable. — I have, &c., Julius Vookl. — To Captain Walker, Madras.