G.—No. Ba.

CORRESPONDENCE CONNECTED WITH GENTLEMEN WHO EXPRESSED THEIR INABILITY TO ACT UPON COUNCIL OF THE NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

No. 1. The Hon. W. Gisborne to the Hon. Major Richardson. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd September, 1870. Will you consent to be nominated by the Governor to the Council of N.Z. University, under the Act of 1870, copy of which will be sent by next mail ? Hon. Major Richardson, M.L.C, Dunedin. W. Gisborne. Telegrams similar to the above were sent to — His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman, Dunedin. His Honor J. Maeandrew, Dunedin. Hon. Captain Fraser, M.L.C, Dunedin. W. H. Reynolds, Esq., M.G.A., Dunedin. Hon. H. J. Miller, M.L.C, Oamaru. H. J. Tancred, Esq., M.G.A., Christchurch. His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson, Christchurch. His Honor Mr. Justice Richmond, Nelson. His Honor 0. Curtis, Nelson.

No. 2. [Circular.] Sie, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 23rd September, 1870. I have the honor to forward copy of " The New Zealand University Act, 1870," together with a list of persons proposed to be appointed to the Council under the Act, and I shall feel obliged if you will inform me whether you will be prepared to give the Colony the benefit of your services in the capacity of a member. I have, Ac, W. Gisboene. The above Circular was sent to — Sir G. A. Arney, Chief Justice, Auckland. Hugh Carleton, Esq., M.G.A., Auckland. Hon. D. Pollen, M.L.C, Auckland. Sir AV. Martin, D.C.L., Auckland. Hon. Major Richardson, M.L.C, Otago. His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson, Christchurch. His Honor O. Curtis, M.G.A., Nelson. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, AVelliugton. Hon. A. Domett, M.L.C, Wellington. Hon. R. Stokes, M.L.C, Wellington. Hon. M. S. Grace, M.D., M.L.C, Wellington. Hon. W. Fitzherbert, M.G.A., Wellington. J. Hector, Esq., M.D., F.R.S., AVellington.

No. 3. Sir AV. Martin to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir,— Auckland, 26th September, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, per telegram, of a question, " Will you consent " to be nominated by the Governor to the Council of New Zealand University ? Ac." I beg to say that I will return an answer as soon as I shall have had an opportunity of ascertaining the nature and extent of the duties to be discharged by a member of the proposed Council. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington. AVm. Martin.

No. 4. Sir W. Martin io the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir,— Auckland, 4th October, 1870. The promised copy of "The New Zealand University Act" having come to hand, I have carefully considered it, in order to ascertain whether it might be possible for me to undertake tho office proposed to me by the Government.