8.—17

5

No. 10. The Hon. W. Gisboene to the Deputy-Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington. Sir,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 23rd December, 1869. I have the honor to transmit for your information the enclosed copy of a letter I have addressed to William Fitzherbert, Esq, in reply to his two letters, tendering his resignation as Commissioner of Crown Lands and applying for a retiring allowance under " The Civil Service Act, 1866." I have, &c, The Deputy-Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington. W. Gisboene.

No. 11. The Deputy-Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic,— Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 28th December, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd instant, enclosing for my information copy of a letter addressed to William Eitzherbert, Esq., in reply to his two letters, tendering his resignation as Commissioner of Crown Lands and applying for a retiring allowance. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Jos. G. Holdsworth, Wellington. Deputy-Commissioner of Crown Lands.

No. 12. Mr. W. Fitziieebebt to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Ste,— The Club, Wellington, 31st December, 1869. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd instant, and to thank you for its contents. Since its receipt I have searched further for the certificate of my baptismal register, which I had expected to find with the documents of my life insurance, but have been unable to find it. As I quoted its date from memory in my former letter, whilst I am much obliged to you for proposing to give me a month's grace, yet I am quite contented to accept the date of the 15th August if you should think proper. I asked Mr. Woodward, with whom I had business to-day respecting my life insurance, to say so much to you, who would explain the reason why I could not conveniently wait upon you to-day. I have, &c, The Hon. W. Gisborne, Colonial Secretary. William Fitzhebbert.

No. 13. The Hon. W. Gisborne to Mr. W. Fitztieebeet. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Bth January, 1870. I bare the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, on the subject of your retirement from the Civil Service of New Zealand. In reply, I have to state that, although the baptismal register is mislaid, I have ro doubt that your memory is correct as to the date of that register; and therefore I think it is only equitable to allow a month previous to that date as the probable date of birth. I have, &c, W. Fitzherbert, Esq., the Hutt, Wellington. W. Gisboene. Mr. Macdonald. —I think a warrant for retiring allowance under section 33 of " The Civil Service Act, 1866," may be made by the Governor (not in Council). The Act is silent as to the mode of issuing the warrant in this case, and the only enactment that renders it necessary at all is "The Public Eevenues Act, 1867," section 3-1. In the c;ise of retirement under section 35 the case is different, and an Order in Council is necessary to permit the officer to retire ; but even then the warrant to the Treasurer is sufficient if issued under the hand of the Governor alone, so that there is no necessity for altering the printed forms.—W. Piiaeazyn.—7th January, 1870.

lI.—EH ME. DOMETT'S PENSION. No. 14. The Hon. T. B. Gillies to His Excellency Sir G. Gket. Sic, — Auckland, 24th December, 1863. I have the honor to tender to your Excellency my resignation of the office of Secretary for Crown Lands, hitherto held by me. I have, &c, To His Excellency Sir G. Grey, &c, Thomas B. Gillies.