8.—3

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after consideration of all the circumstances connected with your employment in a personal capacity independent of your position as Crown Agents, his Lordship has thought it desirable, as already intimated to you, in the letter from this office of the 22nd ultimo, on the occasion of the increase of your staff and the revision of your office arrangements, to decide that you shall not in future act for any colony in any other capacity than as Crown Agents collectively. 2. It has been shown that misapprehensions and complications may arise from your acting in two distinct capacities. His Lordship is, therefore, of opinion that for the future it will be preferable that you should confine yourselves to the discharge of those duties on account of which the establishment of the Crown Agents was originally formed ; and accordingly you will do no acts, and receive no remuneration, except strictly as Crown Agents. In view of this decision, Lord Carnarvon has recommended, and the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have acquiesced in, an increase of your salaries. 3. Lord Carnarvon will, of course, be very willing that you should act for New Zealand, or any other colony under responsible government, on terms not inconsistent with the above conditions ; and if the Crown Agents should be appointed in conjunction with one or more other gentlemen, at any time, as loan agents for any particular colony, it would appear possible for one of them to discharge this duty, and to act on behalf of your office, without the necessity for the others taking a prominent part in the business. 4. A copy of this correspondence has been sent to the Governor of New Zealand. I am, &c, The Crown Agents for the Colonies. By Authority: Geoege Didsbtot, Government Printer, Wellington.—lß77. Price 3d.]