CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VICE-ADMIRALTY COURTS, IN NEW ZEALAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1866 Session I, A-11

A.—No. 11.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VICE-ADMIRALTY COURTS, IN NEW ZEALAND.

PRESENTED TO THE HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES BY COMMAND OP HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON. 1866.

A.—No. 11

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VICE-ADMIRALTY COURTS IN NEW ZEALAND No. 1. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. E. W. Stafford to the Hon. the Colonial Secketabt, Hobart Town, Tasmania. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sin,— Wellington, 12th December, 1865. As the New Zealand Government is anxious to obtain information with a view to the establishment of Admiralty Courts, and as it understands that such Courts are in operation in the Colony of Tasmania, I shall feel obliged if you will inform me in what manner and under what authority Doctors and Proctors are appointed to and act in those Courts in Tasmania. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Hobart Town, Tasmania. E. W. Staffoed. t No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. M. Wilson to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaev, Wellington, New Zealand. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sib,— Tasmania, 23rd January, ISGG. In reply to your letter, of the 12th ultimo, soliciting information respecting the appointment of Doctors and Proctors in the Vice-Admiralty Court in this Colony, I have to acquaint you that by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the High Court of Admiralty in England, the Chief Justice of this Colony for the time being was appointed Commissary in the Vice-Admiralty Court here, and by virtue of that office barristers and attorneys on the Eolls of the Supreme Court of the Colony were, upon application, sworn in by him, and enrolled as Advocates and Proctors of the Vice-Admiralty Court. The Registrar and Marshall of the Court were appointed to their offices by the Governor, who, by Letters Patent, was appointed Vice-Admiral and Commissary in this Colony, and empowered to appoint fit officers under him. I have, &c, James Milne Wilson, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, New Zealand. (for the Colonial Secretary.) No. 8. Copy of a Memorandum by Mr. Staffoed. Wellington, 21st February, 1866. Ministers transmit a copy of a letter, dated the 23rd ultimo, from the Colonial Secretary of Tasmania, stating, with respect to the appointment of Doctors and Proctors in the Vice-Admiralty Court in that Colony, that by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the High Court of Admiralty in England, the Chief Justice of the Colony for the time being was appointed Commissary in the ViceAdmiralty Court there, and that, by virtue of that office, barristers and attorneys on the Rolls of the Supreme Court of the Colony, were, upon application, sworn in by him, and enrolled as Advocates and Proctors of the Vice-Admiralty Court. Ministers respectfully recommend that application may be made to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to cause the necessary steps to be taken for the similar Letters Patent appointing the Chief Justice here to bo Commissary in the Vice-Admiralty Court in this Colony. It would be convenient for the public service if such Letters Patent provided for the case of the temporary absence of the Chief Justice, especially as the present Chief Justice will, in all probability, soon have leave of absence from New Zealand for some time. To His Excellency the Governor. E. W. Staffoed.

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