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pleased with the work ; and I could not help thinking, after you had left me, that had you been the Native Minister in 1866, when I first corresponded with the gentleman holding that office, things might have gone on differently. In 1869-70 my right hand (fore finger and thumb) became so bad, half-contracted, but without pain, save during continuous writing, that I could no longer write legibly, often could not even sign my name. And this, as I firmly believe, was wholly occasioned by my severe and continual writing, having been goaded on to desperation almost through the remarks made in the House, the bad faith of the Government, and Mr. Richmond's new arrangements, and consequently working day and night far beyond my powers, as the time he had fixed was fast approaching. In November, 1870, after I had 'Undergone a severe surgical operation on my right-hand fore finger, I had two surgeons (Messrs Hitchens and Spencer) to examine my hand, and to report thereupon to the Government. From that time to the present, I write without using my thumb and fore finger, consequently not so quickly and often not so legibly as formerly. In 1870, at the General Provincial election here in May (all pay to me having ceased), I again allowed myself to be nominated and entered the Provincial Council, and I again, took a paid office as Inspector of Schools. Since then, as I have from time to time informed you, whenever you have inquired, I have only been working at the Lexicon " during spare times, but always heartily." On a calm, impartial review of the whole, it will, I believe, be found—l. With reference to myself: —That the Government broke faith with me in the three great matters of (1) time to be allowed for the work; (2) pay; and (3) efficient aid towards it (this aid, too, which was always in all my letters most carefully brought prominently to the notice of the Government, and was indeed quite a sine qua non with me, was exactly similar to that aid which was so readily afforded by vs —myself and others—to Dr. Hooker, at that very time too, in his preparing his work on the Botany of New Zealand, which that gentleman has also so fully acknowledged). 2. With reference to the work:—(l.) Had my original proposal to Hon. Mr. Mantell been honorably carried out in its integrity, the work would have been long ago finished. (2.) Had my well-considered and practical proposal made to Hon. Colonel Russell been accepted by him, the first part of the work would certainly long ago have been published, and very likely the remainder, and the House and the colony as I take it satisfied. (3.) Had my notice in the Gazette been properly brought before the Government officers and warmly supported, effectual aid must have resulted therefrom. (4.) Had even my last overture to the Hon. Mr. Richmond been allowed and supported, good would have resulted. I regret to say that I have found it an up-hill work with the Government from the very beginning. As if my appointment was a sinecure, or money thrown away, or at all events as if I were too well paid ! As things have turned out, it has been my great misfortune ever to have had anything to do with this work. Does any one that knows me (and I believe there are many even now, at this modern date, comparatively, in the House who do) —does any one suppose that I, with my active habits and diligent application to business, could not much more easily earn a greater salary than that which I received from the Government during four years —viz., £230 per annum. Sir, I have had for years to hear of and put up wita repeated heavy charges concerning this work. I have borne with them, ever believing that my countrymen and the colony would some day do a poor scholar justice. You, yourself, Sir, have more than once in the House, when speaking on this subject, said " the Government had always been willing to offer every facility for the completion of the work." But did the Government, or would the Government, from March, 1870, ever proffer a farthing of pay ? And could the Government reasonably expect me to give my whole time, year after year, for nothing; especially too after they had repeatedly broken faith with me ? To say nothing of the early official inspection made, as if (I after all the high and important public duties I have been from time to time called to perform during more than forty years of active life in New Zealand)—as if I were not to be trusted. For it must not be lost sight of that the only agreement ever made between us was in the terms contained in my letter of reply of July 5, 1865, to the Hon. Mr. Mantell's official inquiry; which indeed was fully conceded by his successor in office, and sustained by successive votes of the House of Representatives in 1866 and 1867, when £300 per annum was repeatedly voted. The House has often heard from the Government, from 1869 downwards, that the magnificent " sum of £100 was still to be paid me on completion of the work ;" but the Government forgot to inform the House that the original agreement upon which the work was undertaken was for £300 per annum (which sum indeed was annually voted and paid, until, in 186S, the Hon. Mr. Richmond, then Native Minister, took upon himself to set the original agreement aside), together with an. additional supplemental vote of remuneration to the Editor on the completion of the work. Had the Government supported me fairly and heartily, and had even the whole outlay originally stated—seven years at £300 = £2,100 —been expended, that sum, and more, would have been recouped by them before this time. And now, Sir, in conclusion, allow me to bring before you, and the honorable the House of Representatives, the following four proposals concerning this work. I beg you to note them and their sequence carefully; and I hope that one of them (or something similar, yet better, it may be) will be fully and finally agreed to and determined on by you. Time was when my first proposal of these four would not have been thought of or listened to by me; but lam getting old now (after upwards of forty years of active life in New Zealand, non sum qualis cram), and I feel it. This is, allow me respectfully to say, my last letter to you concerning this work with which I was intrusted. For, as I told you when here, "the flame is now burning low in the lamp :" this, therefore, is as the last appeal of the Sibyl to Tarquin. It remains with you, Sir, to decide both for us and for posterity. Proposals. I. That I forthwith hand over all my Maori MSS. to the Government; and on doing so receive