9
A.—sb.
reduced, and the practical performance of their duties has centred upon myself. For instance, when the services of Mr. Cashel Hoey were dispensed with, it was expressly stated by the Government that the duties of Confidential Secretary could be performed by me; and when Mr. Ottywell left the office the emigration and other work done by him devolved chiefly upon me. The fact of Government assisted emigration having been discontinued does not by any means relieve me of all emigration work. I have still the responsibility of replying to a large number of inquiries made, both by letter and by persons calling at this office, for information of the most varied kind respecting the colony, its laws, its modes of doing business, its resources, its prospects for investors, farmers, and others, the routes by which it can be reached, &e, &c, which require, to answer satisfactorily, large personal knowledge and experience of the colony: And in reference to this part of my duties, I believe I can safely say that in the thousands of letters which I have written, giving detailed replies to special questions, and in the cases of many hundreds of personal applicants, I have never had a single complaint of giving incorrect or exaggerated information. I would therefore request you to refer the question of my salary to the Government, with a view to their taking into consideration the special circumstances connected with it, and which, I think, justify me in asking that I, as Secretary to this department, be not dealt with in a less favourable manner than that which has been determined on as regards the general body of the Civil servants of New Zealand. I have, <fcc, Waltee Kennawat, Secretary to the Agent-General's Department.
Enclosure 3 in No. 12. The Agent-General to Mr. Kennawat Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 27th November, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 20th November. I feel the greatest possible sympathy with the remarks you make. You do not exaggerate the importance or the multiplicity of your duties, nor do you even do justice to the many heavy responsibilities devolving on you. I have pleasure in testifying it would have been impossible for any officer to discharge his duties more to my satisfaction. lam quite at a loss to know any reason for your being reduced in salary, beyond the usual 10 per cent, affecting all salaries. I suspect, however, that the Government finding the vote of £3,000 insufficient have made the reduction, not because of any want of appreciation of your services, but because they were reluctant to exceed the vote. In sending the correspondence to the colony, I will not hesitate to express my hope that your salary may be reinstated, if you elect to remain. I am, &c, W Kennaway, Esq. Julius Vogel.
No. 13. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 7th February, 1881. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 4th December, in reply to mine of 6th October, in which you take exception to the course I had pursued in making reductions in my department. As that course was dictated by considerations which, to do myself justice, I must set out at considerable length, and, as I am about handing over my charge to my successor, I will, with that gentleman's consent, retain a copy of your letter, and reply to it when I am more at leisure, and when, too, I shall be more free to express myself unreservedly oil the whole question. I hare, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Agent-General.
Authority : G-eobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBl.
2—A. sb.