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No. 18. The Hon. A. Domett to the Hon. the Colonial Skceetaey. Sic— Wellington, 19th August, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, expressing the sentiments of the members of the Government on my retirement from office. The good opinion and kindly feelings you are pleased to express on their part and your own — although I am quite aware that to your friendly partiality much of the strength of the terms you employ must be owing—will always be highly valued by me and a source of great gratification. I count it a piece of great good fortune that I have been able, through a political life of nearly thirty years, to retain and fully return the personal goodwill and esteem of so many public men, including all the members of your Government, in spite of occasional differences of opinion and action, necessarily incidental to such a career. With yourself individually—one of the oldest of my friends — I am happy to say that a coincidence of tastes on many subjects—and especially the Idem sentire de re publica, on all occasions, I think, and invariably —have formed a closer bond of union; while our long and intimate connection in official life has always been to me a pleasure, as well as no little advantage. My share in the formation of the library, to which you allude, was an amusement and occupation which I relinquish with great regret. I trust, however, I may still be of use in England, in selecting and procuring books on behalf of any future Committee to whom its management may be confided. Will you accept for yourself and family, and convey to the members of Government and theirs, the assurance that I heartily return the good wishes for your and their happiness and prosperity which you so kindly express for me and mine. I have, &c, The Hon. The Colonial Secretary. Alfeed Domett.

No. 19. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaky to the Hon. A. Domett. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 16th August, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 11th ultimo, expressing your desire to retire from the Civil Service under the Civil Service Acts of 1858 and 1861. In reply, I have to inform you that a warrant has been signed by His Excellency the Governor, granting to you a retiring allowance, under the Civil Service Acts, at the rate of £559 10s. 6d. per annum, from the Ist September proximo. I have, &c, The Hon. Alfred Domett, M.L.C., G. S. Coopeb, Secretary for Crown Lands. (for the Colonial Secretary).

No. 20. The Hon. Mr. Domett to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Slß,— Wellington, 19th August, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, informing me that the Governor's warrant had been issued, authorizing the payment to me of the retiring allowance fixed by the Civil Service Superannuation Act, and to request you to convey to His Excellency and the Government my thanks for the same. I have, &c, Alfred Domett, Secretary for Crown Lands.

lII.— BE ME. GISBOBNE'S PENSION. No. 21. The Hon. Mr. Gisboene to the Hon. the Colonial Teeastjeee. Sib,^ Government Annuities Office, Wellington, 30th March, 1875. Wishing to claim in August next my retiring allowance under the provisions of " The Civil Service Amendment Act, 1861," and to receive before that time three months' leave of absence on full pay, with a view to that retirement, I shall be glad if the Government would consent to make arrangements for that purpose. I expect the return shortly of Mr. C. Knight, Accountant and Acting-Actuary in this office; and, in order to prevent embarrassment, 1 will not relinquish the duties of my office until after his return. I have, &c, W. GiSBOENE, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Commmissioner. Statement to accompany Application for a Superannuation or Retiring Allowance. Name in full, and Offices held hi/ Applicant during three years previous to date of Application, or {under sections 33, 35, of " The Civil Service Act, 1866 '') during two years previous to said date. —William Gisborne, Government Insurance Commissioner (Commissioner of Annuities).