H.—lB,

1875. NEW ZEALAND.

APPOINTMENT OF CONSERVATOR OF STATE FORESTS, (PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE).

Presented to loth Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Hon. Sir J. Vogel, K.C.M.G., to the Hon. D. Pollen. 7, "Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 28th May, 1875. I have the honor to forward to you copy of a letter I have addressed to Captain Campbell Walker, in Madras. 2. That letter sufficiently explains the nature of the offer I have made to Captain Walker, in pursuance of the direction of the Government to select an officer to preside over the Forests Department of New Zealand. 3. I did not come to the conclusion to make the appointment without much careful inquiry and correspondence, mostly of a private character. I have made inquiries at the India Office, and from old officers of the Indian Service, who were connected with the Forests Department of India. I have, also, made some independent inquiries. From all I have learned I have concluded that we could not do better than secure the services of Captain Walker. It is through representations made to me by his brother that I have reason to believe he will be inclined to accept the appointment. Captain Walker is the gentleman whose report, republished last year in a New Zealand Blue Book, may be said to have been in large measure the cause of the people of the colony taking so much interest in the forest question. I feel sure that we shall find Captain Walker in every respect a most suitable man for the office. I have, &c, The Hon. D. Pollen. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure in No. 1. The Hon. J. Vogel, C.M.G-., to Captain Walkeb. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, "Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 20th May, 1875. I understand from your brother that you are willing to accept the appointment of Conservator of State Forests in New Zealand1. 2. There is, of course, great disadvantage in making an appointment without previous personal conference, but, in the circumstances, this seems unavoidable. It would, however, be better, if you are prepared to accept the appointment on the conditions I propose, that you should have the alternative open,if you should not like New Zealand, or if, in the colony, the appointment should not be approved, to reconsider the engagement. "With this object, I think if you could obtain a year's leave of absence from the Government of India, and proceed direct to New Zealand, it would be the better course. 3. My proposal, therefore, resolves itself into this: That you obtain leave of absence, without pay, from the Government of India; that we pay the actual cost of your passage down to New Zealand, and salary at the rate of £800 a year from the time of leaving India. If you should not remain in the colony, we to pay the actual cost of your return passage, continuing the salary at the rate mentioned, until the estimated date of your return to your station. 4. I only make this proposal on the assumption that you are willing to accept a prolonged engagement, as it would not suit us to merely obtain your temporary services. I ask you, therefore, to take advantage of my offer only if you think you will be inclined to remain in the colony. 5. In that case, I propose that your position shall be that of head of the Forests Department (" Conservator of State Forests " is the term used in the Act), at a salary of £800 a year; and that you shall be entitled to travelling allowance at the rate established in the colony, in proportion to your salary. 6. I propose that if you obtain the year's leave, and go to New Zealand, it shall be with the view of permanently taking the office on terms such as 1 have stated, unless some objection which you cannot foresee should arise in your mind, or unless some objection should present itself to the Government.