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1884 NEW ZEALAND.

THE AGENT-GENERAL. (LETTER RELATIVE TO HIS RETENTION IN OFFICE.)

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Major Atkinson, with Leave of the House.

But,— Government Offices, Wellington, May 24th, 1884. As the period for which you were appointed Agent-General will expire early next year, questions respecting the future of the office will no doubt be asked in the House of Eepresentatives soon after the opening of Parliament on the sth June. 2. The Government hope that you will be able to consent to continue to hold the office ; and they propose, upon receipt of a telegram indicating such consent, to inform the Assembly that it is intended to appoint you for a further period of two years, from the Ist January, 1885. 3. The manner in which—while efficiently performing the ordinary duties of the AgentGeneralship—you conducted important financial operations, and negotiations of various kinds, gave, as I know, the highest satisfaction to the Governments of Sir John Hall and Sir F. Whitaker. My colleagues and myself feel strongly the same sense of satisfaction as to your more recent labours : especially as regards the energy and ability shown by you in dealing with the questions of confederation and annexation, and the more pressing one of the mode in which the French Government have acted, and propose to act, with respect to the criminals of that country. 4. The Government believe that the people of New Zealand share those feelings and would learn with pleasure that you were to be the representative of the colony in London during the years 1885 and 1886. 5. If you telegraph the word " solidarity," I shall understand that you agree with the proposal now made, and I assure you that I shall be much gratified by the arrival of such a telegram. I have, &c. Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., London. H. A. Atkinson,

J3y Authority: Geobge Didsbvby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBl,