G.—No. 12.

No. 1. Dr. Feathekston" to the Hon. W. Gisbobne. (No. 252.) 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Sic, — Westminster, S.W., 2nd May, 1872. I have the honor to forward an application from Mr. Buller for an extension of his leave of absence, and beg very earnestly to recommend that it be granted, as, although Mr. Buller has made great and rapid progress with his work, it is quite impossible that he can complete it within the period of his leave of absence. You will be able, from the first part already sent to the Colony, to judge for yourself of the value of the work. I have, &c, I. E. Featherstow, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 1. Mr. Btjllee to the Hon. W. Gisboette. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Sic,— Westminster, S.W., Ist May, 1872. Referring to your letter of Bth April, 1871, granting me eighteen months' leave of absence, for the purpose of visiting England to superintend the publication of my " History of the Birds of New Zealand," I have the honor to submit the following facts in support of an application which I now make for an extension of that leave. Owing to the difficult nature of the work upon which I am engaged, and the time required for the production of the plates (the whole of them being coloured by hand), I find that it will be utterly impossible to complete the publication within the time allotted me. Although there has been no unnecessary loss of time, while every endeavour has been made on my part to accelerate the issue of the work, the second part (of the five that are under preparation) is not yet published. As the correcting of the press, as well as the colouring of the plates (on the careful execution of which the beauty of the finished work will greatly depend) will demand constant attention and supervision, it is very desirable that; I should remain here till the book is completed. With this view, I am anxious to obtain permission from the Government to remain in England for six months after the expiration of my present leave of absence, namely, to the 30th June, 1873, and to be allowed a sufficient time thereafter to return to the Colony—say a further period of two months, making together an addition of eight months to my present term. I am quite ready, should the Government so decide, to forego my half-salary for the whole period in excess of my present leave, on the condition that my appointments at Wanganui are guaranteed to me on my return to the Colony. Part I. of my " Birds " having already been forwarded to the Government, I would venture, while making this application for an extension of my leave, to refer you to Dr. Hector, or any other competent authority, for an expression of opinion as to the merits of the book as a work of science. I have, &c, The Hon. W. Giaborne, Colonial Secretary. Waltkb Bulleb.

No. 2. The Hon. W. Gisborxe to Dr. Featheeston. (No. 65.) Sib, —■ Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, sth July, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 252, of the 2nd of May last, transmitting an application from Mr. Bailer for an extension of his leave of absence, and recommending its approval, with a view to enabling him to complete the " History of the Birds of New Zealand," the work on which he is engaged. The Government have already granted Mr. Buller eighteen months' leave of absence on the most liberal terms, in order to enable him to superintend and complete the publication of this valuable book, but they do not feel justified in asking the House of Representatives for an extension of leave on those terms. * Accordingly', from and after the 31st day of December next, the date on which Mr. Buller's leave of absence expires, he cannot be authorized to draw any longer his half-pay as Resident Magistrate and his salary as Acting Secretary to the Agent-General in London. In order, however, not to interrupt the completion under Mr. Buller's superintendence of his

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO MR. BULLER'S LEAVE OF ABSENCE.