11

A.—9

No. U. A. P. Seymour, Esq., M.H.E., to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Government Offices, Blenheim, 11th June, 1877. In answer to your letter of the 25th May ultimo, I propose to be relieved of the duties of Executive Officer on the 20th instant, if such date be convenient to you. As there still remains a considerable amount of unfinished business, chiefly in connection with exchanges of roads, I trust you will not deem it out of place if I suggest that the Commissioner of Crown Lands be appointed to take over from me the papers and documents relating to this provincial business, as the person best acquainted with the matters yet unsettled. I should be much pleased, also, if you would retain the services of my clerk, who is receiving £120 per annum. He to whom you deliver the business will require some clerical assistance, for, in addition to the road exchanges above alluded to, there is the charitable aid to administer, the gold fields and reserves, together with a good deal of miscellaneous correspondence, partly, no doubt, due to the fact that the Counties Act is not in full operation. The Government are welcome to such services as I may have been able to render, and I shall be happy to advise them in future, if so desired. I have, &c, A. P. Seymour, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Executive Officer.

No. 45. The Hon. the Colonial Secbetaey to A. P. Seymour, Esq., M.H.E. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th June, 1877. Tour lettter of eleventh instant just received. The Commissioner of Crown Lands will be instructed, as you suggest, to take over papers. He can retain your clerk for the present. A general withdrawal of all delegations will be issued on 21st June. I beg to thank you on the part of the Government for your kind offer to advise on local matters, an offer which we shall be glad to avail ourselves of. A. P. Seymour, Esq., M.H.E., Picton. Chas. C. Bowen.

No. 46. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey to Heney Bunny, Esq., M.H.E. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 21st June, 1877. Keferring to previous correspondence on the subject, I have the honor to inform you that His Excellency has this day signed warrants withdrawing all delegated powers up to this time intrusted to Executive Officers in the several provincial districts. I beg again to thank you on the part of the Government for the assistance which you have so ably and readily afforded in the administration of your district, and to say that we shall gladly avail ourselves of the advice which you have been good enough to offer for the future. I have, &c, Chas. C. Bowen, (in the absence of the Colonial Secretary). Henry Bunny, Esq., M.H.E., Wellington. Similar letters to P. A. Carrington, Esq., M.H.E. jA. P. Seymour, Esq., M.H.R.; Oswald Curtis, Esq., M.H.E.; W. Eolleston, Esq., M.H.E.; Hon. J. A. Bonar, Esq., M.L.C. By Authority: George Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB77. Price 9d.]