CHANGES IN DISTRIBUTION OF JUDGES OF SUPREME COURT, (CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1875 Session I, H-28

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1875. NEW ZEALAND.

CHANGES IN DISTRIBUTION OF JUDGES OF SUPREME COURT, (CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO).

Return io an Order of ihe Souse of Representatives, dated 28lh Jidy, 1875, " That there he laid on the Table all Correspondence relating to the recent changes in the distribution of the Judges ofthe Supreme Court."— (Mr. Rolleston.

No. 1. The Hon. tho Colonial Seceetaey to His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston. Sic, — . Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 7th October, 1874. In compliance with what is understood to be the wish of the Legislature, as expressed in the Eeport of the Joint Committee of both Houses in the Ward-Chapman Inquiry, it is intended to make arrangements " for the periodical shifting of Supreme Court and District Court Judges to different Circuits." His Honor the Chief Justice has expressed his readiness to remove to Wellington. Mr. Justice Chapman will be requested to take the Auckland District. I have to invite your Honor to be good enough to say which of the two districts, Canterbury and Otago, you would prefer to take. It is proposed that the changes shall be made on or about the Ist of .February next; and that a sum of two hundred pounds (£200) shall be allowed to each Judge of the Supreme Court to defray the cost of removal. If the making of this change of residence should in the case of any of the Judges be found to entail special loss or charge not covered by the sum before mentioned, the Government will be prepared to consider favourably any representation that may be made on that point. I have, &c, His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, Wellington. Daniel Pollen.

No. 2. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Judge's Chambers, Wellington, 10th October, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th October, respecting the removal of the Judges; and in reply, I have the honor to state that, before giving a definite answer, I should like to have an opportunity of consulting the other Judges on the subject. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Alexandee J. Johnston.

No. 3. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Judge's Chambers, Wellington, 14th November, 1874. Having now had an opportunity of consulting my brother Judges on the subject of your letter of the 7th October, to which I have sent an interim answer, I have the honor to inform you that if the Canterbury District of the Supremo Court be assigned to me, I shall be prepared to remove to it during the month of February, or before the expiration of the vacation, which ends on the 10th March. But, in order to prevent misapprehension, I deem it my duty to say that I assent to the proposal on the footing of your representation that the Legislature have expressed their approval of the propriety of the proposed changes, and that the Grovernment deem them necessary for tho exigencies of the public service; without my admitting that in my opinion there is any proved necessity for them, or that tho currently reported scheme is the most convenient one for the alleged purposes, or that it is constitutional in principle, or that tho time has been opportunely chosen for introducing it, when, as it is understood, the attention of the Legislature is about to be invited to a general reform of the constitution and procedure of the Court.

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With respect to the proposed allowance for the cost of removal, I have the honor to state that I feel it impossible to submit for the favourable consideration of the Government a representation of those personal and family circumstances which render the sum mentioned in your letter quite inadequate to compensate me for the loss and charges I shall bo put to by my removal; but I would venture to remind you ofthe scale of .allowances which were made to all the officers of the Government on tho removal of the seat of Government from Auckland to Wellington. It is important that I should know the final decision of the Government on the subject as soon as possible; inasmuch as I shall have but a brief period for making the necessary preparations for breaking up my home, disposing of my property, and making fresh arrangements for my family. I have, &c, The Hou. the Coloni.al Secretary. Alexandeb J. Johnston.

No. 4 The Hon. Colonial Secretary to His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston. (No. 704.) Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 21st December, 1874. I have to acknowledge receipt of your Honor's letter of date November 14th, intimiiting that if the Canterbury District of the Supreme Court were assigned to you, you would be prepared to remove to it during the month of February or before the expiration of the vacation, which ends on tho 10th March next, and to inform you that His Excellency the Governor will be advised in Council to assign that judicial district to your Honor. A sum of £375 will be allowed to cover the charges of your removal, I have, &c., His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, Wellington. Daniel Pollen.

No. 5. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor Mr. Justice Eichmond. (No. 708.) Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 22nd December, 1574. In compliance with what is understood to bo the wish of the Legislature, as expressed in the Eoport of the Joint Committee of both Houses in the Ward-Chapman Inquiry, arrangements are being made for the shifting of Supreme Court and District Judges to different circuits. His Honor the Chief Justice will remove to Wellington ; Mr. Justice Johnston will take the Canterbury District. It is proposed to assign the Judicial District of Otago to your Honor, Mr. Justice Chapman being shifted thence to Auckland, and Mr. Justice Gresson from Canterbury to Nelson. It is desired that these changes shall, if practicable, be effected before the 10th March next. I have to request that your Honor will be good enough to name the date when it will be convenient for you to remove to Dunedin. A sum of £375 will be allowed to cover the charges of such removal. I have, &c, His Honor Mr. Justice Eichmond, Nelson. Daniel Pollen.

No. 6. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Judge's Chambers, "Wellington, 22nd December, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your communication of the 21st instant, in which you inform me that His Excellency will be advised in Council to assign the Canterbury Judicial District to me, and that the sum of £375 will be allowed mc to defray the charges of removal. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Alexander J. Johnston. mmmmsmmmmm ■nmninn i » ——m—■

No. 7. His Honor Mr. Justice Eichsionjj to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sin, — Nelson. 2Gth December, 1574. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd of this month, informing me that, in compliance with what is understood to be the wish of the Legislature, arrangements are being made for the shifting of Supreme Court and District Judges to different circuits, and that it is proposed to assign to me the Judicial District of Otago. After the opportunity which I have enjoyed, iv several interviews with yourself, of expressing generally my sentiments on the subject of the intended changes, I need only say, in relation to what is proposed in my own case, that the state of my health is such as to render it at present inexpedient for me to return to Duuediu. I have therefore to request that you will be good enough to move His Excellency the Governor to grant me leave of absence, on half-salary, for the term of eighteen months, for the purpose of visiting Europe.

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I understand that it is not at present contemplated to place two Judges of the Court at Wellington. But should it on any ground be hereafter found desirable that an additional Judge should reside there, I desire to have the option of taking that position. As regards the allowance to cover the charges of removal, I should wish to leave it in the hands of the Government to do what is fair in the peculiar circumstances of my case. My request for leave of absence has been necessitated by the suddenly-taken resolution of the Government. I shall have a house and grounds upon my hands for some time; and tho expenses attending my re-establishment in any new district which may be ultimately assigned to me will, so far as I can judge, be not far from equivalent to those attending a direct removal from Nelson to that district. I I have, &c, C. W. Eichmond. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary (Judicial Branch).

No. 8. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetart to His Honor Mr. Justice Geesson. (No. 624.) Sib, — Coloni.al Secretary's Office, Wellington, 28th December, 1874. In compliance with what is understood to be the wish of the Legislature, as expressed in tho Eeport of the Joint Committee of both Houses in the Ward-Chapman Inquiry, arrangements are being made for the shifting of Supreme and District Court Judges to different circuits. It is proposed to assign the Judicial District of Nelson to your Honor, Mr. Justice Johnston taking the Canterbury District, and Mr. Justice Eichmond that of Otago ; and that all these changes shall, if practicable, be effected before the 10th of March proximo. As Mr. Justice Eichmond has applied for leave of absence, and desires to be relieved from duty by the end of the month of January next, I have to ask your Honor to be good enough to inform me whether you can conveniently remove to Nelson about that time. It is proposed to allow the sum of £375 to cover the cost of removal. I have, &c, His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson, Christchurch. Daniel Pollen,

No. 9. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey to His Honor Mr. Justice Eiciimond. (No. G77.) Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 2nd January, 1875. I have received your Honor's letter of date 2Gth December ultimo, and, on behalf of the Government, have now to espress the regret with which the announcement that the state of your health is such as to render it inexpedient tint you should return to Dunedin was received. His Excellency the Governor will be advised to grant the leave of absence for eighteen months, on half-salary, which your Honor desires. With respect to your request that if on any ground it were hereafter thought desirable that an additional Judge of the Supreme Court should reside at Wellington you would have the option of taking that position, I can only say that if the occasion which your Honor contemplates should arise during the term of their administration, this Government will be most willing to give you that option. I have, &c., His Honor Mr. Justice Eichmond, Nelson. Daniel Pollen.

No. 10. His Honor Chief Justice Sir G. A. Aenet to the Hon. the Colonial Secbetabt. Sib, — Auckland, 31st December, 1874. If I recollect rightly that which passed at our last interview at "Wellington, you desired to hear from mo further before the Government would resolve finally upon the redistribution of the business of the Supreme Court. At all events, I have the honor to inform you that, if I should continue to hold my present office after March nest, I shall be prepared to remove to "Wellington in good time to conveniently be prepared for, and to hold, the sitting of the Circuit Court which will, in ordinary course, be held at Wellington in the first week in April next. I have, &c, Geoege Alfeed Aenet, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, Chief Justice.

■ No. 11. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey to His Honor Sir G. A. Aenet, Chief Justice. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, (ith Januarj-, 1875. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter of the 31st ultimo, informing me that should you continue to hold your present office after March nest, you will be prepared to

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remove to Wellington in good time to hold the sitting of the Circuit Court, which will be held at Wellington in the first week of April next; and to thiink you for your communication. I have, &c, His Honor Sir G. A. Arney, Chief Justice, Auckland. Daniel Pollen,

No. 12. His Honor Mr. Justice Geesson to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Judge's Chambers, Christchurch, llth January, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 624, 2Sth December, 1874, informing me that, in compliance with what is understood to be tho wish of the Legislature, as expressed in the Eeport of the Joint Committee of both Houses in the Ward-Chapman Inquiry, arrangements are being made for the shifting of Supreme and District Court Judges to different Circuits, and that it is proposed to assign the Judicial District of Nelson to me, Mr. Justice Johnston taking the Canterbury District, and Mr. Justice Eichmond that of Otago; and that all these changes shall, if practicable, bo effected before the 10th March next; and as Mr. Justice Eichmond has applied for leave of absence, and desires to be relieved from duty by the end of this month, asking me whether I could conveniently remove to Nelson by that time. In reply, I regret that I cannot accept the Judicial District of Nelson, and I shall be prepared to resign my office on the 10th March next. Shortly after my appointment to the judicial office, upon the passing of " The Supreme Court Judges Act, 1858," by which the Judges of the Supreme Court were made to hold office during good conduct instead of during pleasure as theretofore, at the instance of the then Attorney-General, Mr. Whitaker, I resigned my commission in order that I might receive a commission to hold office during good conduct. I need scarcely remind you that since the change so made in the tenure of office of the Judges, the Legislature, by a further enactment, has manifested its determination to place them as nearly as possible in the same position of independence as the English Judges, making them removable only by Her Majesty upon the address of both Houses of the Legislature. I venture to think, therefore, that if the wish of the Legislature, to which you refer, has been rightly interpreted, its present action is not only of a retrograde character, placing the Judges of the Supreme Court as it does at the mercy of the Minister for the time being, but is at variance with the legislation of the colony for the last sixteen years. I cannot help thinking, also, that the time for such a change is particularly inopportune, when, from the circumstance of a charge of partiality having been recently made against one of the Judges, the proposed change will naturally be attributed by the public to the result of the inquiry, and thus a foul and most unjust imputation be made to attach to the Judges. As, under other circumstances, I should probably have retained my office a few years longer, it having been my desire to continue my work as long as I could discharge my duties efficiently, I regret being compelled to tender my resignation, but I have no alternative. I have, &c., The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. H. B. Geesson.

No. 13. The Hon. Dr. Pollen to Mr. T. B. Gillies. Sic, — General Government Offices, Auckland, Ist February, 1875. Mr. Justice Gresson having given notice of his intention to retire from the Bench at an early period, I do myself the honor, on behalf of the Colonial Government, to offer you an appointment as Puisne Judge. Arrangements are being made for shifting the Supreme Court Judges to different circuits, and it is probable that your services may temporarily be required either in the Judicial District of Nelson or that of Otago ; but it is understood that His Excellency the Governor will be advised to assign to you the Judicial District of Auckland. I have, &c, T. B. Gillies, Esq., Auckland. D. Pollen.

mHWtmmHKAWHw^mi^wwAmHMwmmmtswwmmti No. 14. His Honor Mr. Justice Gillies to the Hon. Dr. Pollen, Colonial Secretary. Sic, — Auckland, 2nd February, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yours of yesterday, offering me, on behalf of the Colonial Government, an appointment as one of the Puisne Judges" of the Supreme Court of the colony, and informing me that, whilst I may temporarily be required to perform the duties ofthe office in Nelson or Otago, His Excellency will be advised to assign to me the Judicial District of Auckland. In expressing my acceptance of the offer thus made, permit me to thank the Colonieal Government for this mark of their confidence in me, which confidence I .shall endeavour to justify. I shall be glad to be informed, at your earliest convenience, as to the date when and the locality where I will be required to enter upon tho performance of my duties. Tou will also oblige me by informing me whether the secretaries to the Judges are appointed by the Government or by the respective Judges themselves. I have, Ac, The Hon. Dr. Pollen, Colonial Secretary. Thomas B. Gillies.

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No. 15. His Honor the Chief Justice to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic,— Greymouth, 20th February, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that I am desirous of retiring from the active duties of the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from and after the 31st of March next. I think I understood you on recent occasions to say that arrangements were already in contemplation of the Government for the appointment of my successor, and providing for the discharge of the judicial duties in the Supreme Court at Auckland in the event of my resignation. Upon receiving, therefore, the notification that the exigencies ofthe public service do not require my tenure of the office of Chief Justice after the 31st March next, I shall be prepared to tender my resignation to His Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, Geoeqe Alfeed Aeney, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. -Chief Justice. P.S. —I go hence to-morrow for the Bluff, Invercargill, and Dunedin.

No. 16. His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Dunedin, 22nd February, 1875. I have already communicated to you unofficially my desire to retire from the Bench at the end of the month of March, and I now repeat the same in an official form. It is almost unnecessary for me to state that I fulfil the two conditions required by " The Supreme Court Judges Act, 1874," to entitle me to the retired allowance of half my present salary. First, I am within a few months of 72 years of age; and secondly, I have actually served more than the prescribed time. I was first appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand by the late Lord Derby, then Lord Stanley, in June 1843, and I was sworn in at Auckland on the 2Gth of December, 1843. From that date I continued in office until the 13th of March, 1852, when I left the colony. My second commission bears date 23rd March, and I was sworn in on the 15th of April, 1864, so that the whole period of my service exceeds nineteen years, out of which, however, I was absent from the colony on leave for eighteen months. I have therefore to request that you will be good enough to place this my resignation before His Excellency tho Governor in Council. The period from the end of the vacation (10th March) until the end of the month will enable me to dispose of some business now before the Court. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. H. S. Chapman.

No. 17. • The Hon. W. H. Eetnolds, Acting Colonial Secretary, to His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston. (No. 117.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, sth March, 1875. I have to inform your Honor that His Excellency the Governor in Council has been pleased to assign to you the Judicial Districts of Canterbury and Westland, and that the necessary Orders in Council will be found published in the New Zealand Gazette. I have, &c, Hia Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, Wellington. William H. Beynolds.

No. 18. The Hon. W. H. Beynolds, Acting Colonial Secretary, to His Honor Mr. Justice Gillies. (No. 115.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, sth March, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that His Excellency the Governor in Council has been pleased to appoint you to be a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, and to assign to you the Judicial Districts of Auckland and Nelson. Your commission, under the hand of His Excellency and the Seal of the Colony, is enclosed. Your salary will bo at the rate of £1,500, and you will be allowed a sum of £2 2s. per diem when travelling on the public service on land, but at the rate of ss. per diem when at sea. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston has been empowered to administer the oaths to be taken by your Honor under " The Promissory Oaths Act, 1873." You will be at liberty to nominate your secretary, and I have to request your Honor, when doing so, to supply his Christian names in full. His salary will be at the rate of £150 a year, and he will be allowed to draw at the rate of 10s. a day while travelling on the public service on land, and at the rate of 2s. 6d. a day when at sea. I have, &c, His Honor Mr. Justice Gillies. William H. Eeynolds,

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No. 19. The Hon. W. H. Eeynolds, Acting Colonial Secretary, to His Honor Mr. Justice Williams. (No. 116.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, sth March, 1875. I have the honor to inform you, that His Excellency the Governor in Council has been pleased to appoint you to be a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, and to assign to you the Judicial District of Otago and Southland. Tour commission, under the hand of His Excellency and the Seal of the Colony, is enclosed. Your salary will be at the rate of £1,500 a year, and you will bo allowed a sum of £2 2s. per diem when travelling on the public service on land, but at the rate of ss. per diem when at sea. His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson has been empowered to administer the oaths to be taken by your Honor under " The Promissory Oaths Act, 1873." Tour Honor will be at liberty to nominate your secretary, and I have to request you, when doing so, to supply his Christian names in full. His salary will be at the rate of £150 a year, and he will be allowed to draw at the rate of 10s. a day while travelling on the public service on land, and at the rate of 2s. 6d. a day when at sea. I have, &c, His Honor Mr. Justice Williams, Christchurch. William H. Eeynolds.

No. 20. The Hon. W. H. Eeynolds, Acting Colonial Secretary, to His Honor Mr. Justice Geesson. (No. 122.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 6th March, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that your letter of the llth January, intimating your desire to resign your office as Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, as from the 10th March instant, has been laid before the Governor, and that His Excellency will be prepared to accept your resignation as from 31st March next, up to which date His Excellency has been informed that your Honor has subsequently expressed your willingness to hold office. I have at the same time to express to your Honor, on the part ofthe Government, the very great regret felt at losing your valuable services, and to assure you of the high appreciation in which they have been always held in this colony. I have, &c, His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson, Christchurch. AVilliam H. Eeynolds.

No. 21. The Hon. W. H. Eeynolds, Acting Colonial Secretary, to Mr. Justice Geesson. (No. 124.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 6th March, 1875. Eeferring to a portion of your Honor's letter of the llth January last, intimating your desire to resign your office as Puisne Judge, I have the honor to state that the Government exceedingly regrets any inconvenience to which your Honor may have been put by the proposal to take the Si elson District. In making the proposal, the Government was actuated by a desire to carry out the expressed wishes of the Legislature ; and I need hardly say that no possible impuration could be supposed to lie against any of the present Judges of the Supreme Court. I have, &c, His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson, Christchurch. William: H. Eeynolds.

No. 22. The Hon. W. H. Beynolds, Acting Colonial Secretary to His Honor Sir G. A. Aeney. (No. 12G.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 6th March, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that your letter of the 20th February, intimating your desire to resign your office as Chief Justice of New Zealand, as from the 31st March inst., has been laid before the Governor, and that His Excellency will be prepared to accept your resignation at the date indicated by yourself. In making this communication, I desire to avail myself of the opportunity offered of expressing to your Honor the high appreciation in which your services have been held throughout the colony. The dignity of the high office of Chief Justice could not have been maintained at a higher standard than during the period you have fulfilled judicial duties in New Zealand ; and the Government feels that the loss to the Judicial Bench of a Chief Justice who has presided with such zeal, assiduity, aud courtesy will be for a long time a subject for regret. I have, <fee, His Honor Sir G. A. Arney, Chief Justice. William H. Eeynolds.

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No. 23. The Hon. W. H. Eeynolds, Acting Colonial Secretary, to His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman. (No. 123.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 6th March, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that your letter of the 22nd February, intimating your desire to resign your office as a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, as from the 31st March instant, has been laid before His Excellency the Governor, and that His Excellency will be prepared to accept your resignation at the date indicated by yourself. The Government is not surprised at your desire, after very long and varied service, to retire from the onerous and responsible duties which you have discharged for many years with so much ability and zeal; but desires, at the same time, to express regret for the loss which the country will suffer on your retirement. I have, &c., His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman, Dunedin. William H. Eeynolds.

No. 24. His Honor Mr. Justice Williams to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic,— Christchurch, Bth March, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, enclosing a commission to me under the hand of His Excellency the Governor, and the Seal of the Colony, as a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. I beg to express my sincere thanks for the honor His Excellency has been pleased to confer upon me. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Joshua Stbange Williams.

No. 25. His Honor Mr. Justice Geesson to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Judge's Chambers, Christchurch, Bth March, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your two letters (Nos. 122 and 124, 6th March, 1875), informing me that His Excellency will be prepared to accept my resignation as from the 31st March instant, and to thank you for the same. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. H. B. Geesson.

No. 26. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic,— Judge's Chambers, Wellington, llth March, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth March, in which you inform me that His Excellency the Governor in Council has been pleased to assign to me the Judicial Districts of Canterbury aud Westland. I have, &c., The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Alexander J. Johnston.

laaamnaan—ai a ma a laanwiiini i isinti n nauaaaaia No. 27. His Honor the Chief Justice to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Auckland, New Zealand, 20th March, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt ofthe letter ofthe Hon. W. H. Eeynolds, of the 6th instant, intimating that His Excellency the Governor will be prepared to accept'my resignation of the office of Chief Justice of New Zealand on the 31st ofthe present month. I beg also to express the gratification with which I received the assurance that, in tho estimation of the Government, the dignity of that office has been maintained during the period that I have fulfilled judicial duties in New Zealand. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Geobge Alfeed Aeney.

No. 28. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor Chief Justice Peendeegast. Sib,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Ist April, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that His Excellency the Governor iv Council has been pleased to appoint you to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, and to assign to you the Judicial District of Wellington.

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Tour Commission, under the hand of His Excellency and the Seal of the Colony, is enclosed. Tour salary will be at the rate of £1,700 a year, and you will be allowed a sum of £2 2s. per diem when travelling on the public service on land, but at the rate of ss. per diem when at sea. The stamp duty on your Honor's appointment will be deducted from the first amount payable to you as salary. Tou will be at liberty to nominate your Secretary; and I have to request your Honor, when doing so, to supply his Christian names in full. His salary will be at the rate of £150 a year, and he will be allowed to draw at the rate of 10s. a day while travelling on tho public service on land, and at the rate of 2s. 6d. a day when at sea. I have, &c, His Honor J. Prendergast, Esq., Chief Justice. Daniel Pollen.

No. 29. His Honor the Chief Justice to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Wellington, Ist April, 1575. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, transmitting my appointment as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Henry Hall, lately a clerk in tho Government Annuities Office, has been appointed by me to be my Marshal and Secretary. I have, &c., James Pbendergast, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Chief Justice.

By Authority: Geobqb Dedsbckt, Goremment Printer, Wellington,—lB76. Price 6d.]