FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1862 Session I, A-07a

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FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND, (In continuation of Papers presented 14th July, 1862.)

RETURN TO AN ADDRESS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF 22xd JULY, 1»62. {Mr. Stafford.) \ Return made 20th August, 1862.]

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No. 1. COPT OF A DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR SIR GEORGE GREY TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF NF.WCASTM!. Auckland, November 25th, 1861. Mi Loiu> Duke,— I have the honor to transmit to Your Grace the copy of a letter I have received from Mr. Justice Gresson, informing me that grave doubts have been expressed by the Chief Justice, as to the vadility of Mr. Gresson's Commission as Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of this Colony, by reason of such appointment not having been officially communicated to her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, and consequently not having received the confirmation of the Crown. 2. I have also the honor to enclose to Your Grace the copy of a Memorandum* by the Attorney General of this Colony upon the same subject, and I trust your Grace will now be pleased to advise Her Majesty to appoint Mr. Gresson to be a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of this Colony. I have, &c, G. Grey, His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, he, &c., &c.

.„ „,. ~ (-JNo> l'•> Enclosure No. i.—Mr. Governor, 19th September. iwi. dum b y Mr sewtli, dated oth Nov., 18S1.

Enclosure in No. 1. MR. JUSTICE GRF.SS0N TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. Judges Chambers, Chnstihurch, August 14th, 1862. S'in, — 1 beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, enclosing a duplicate of the papers relating to the appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court of the Colony, and requesting me to furnish the Government with copies of any communications or Memoranda in my power bearing on the subject. Enclosed, I send you accoidingly a copy of a letter written by me to the Governor, immediately after having seen a report of the debate on the subject in the Legislative Council during the last session. I am not aware of any other communication having passed between me and the Governmenl since the debate above referred to, except a letter from I lis Excellency's Private Secretary acknowledging the leceipt of my communication and stating that my application had been forwarded. I believe that I destroyed that letter thinking it of no importance, it was a mere matter of courtesy. I have, &c, H. B. Gresson. The Honorable the Attorney General, &c, he, &c, Wellington. * The only copy of this Memorandum was lost in the wreck of the steamer " White Swan. '

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES TO THE SUPKEME COURT ' OF NEW ZEALAND.

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Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 1. MR. JUSTICE GKESSON, TO GOVERNOR SIR G. GRETf

Christchurch, September 19tli, 1861. Sir, — Having read in an Auckland newspaper (the " New Zealander" of 28th August ) a report of a debate in which His Honor the Chief Justice, in his place in the Legislative Council, expressed grave doubts of the validity of my commission as Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court by reason of the nppointment not having been officially communicated to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, and consequently not having received the confirmation of the Crown, I have the honor to request that your Excellency will be so good as to take the requisite steps for having 6uch doubts resolved, and, if necessary, having my appointment confirmed. I have, &c., H. B. Gresson. His Excellency Sir George Groy.KC.B., Wellington.

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APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES TO THE SUPREME COURT.