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No. 2. The Hon. E. Mitchelson to W. B. Edwaeds, Esq. Deae Sib,— Wellington, 7th November, 1889. I am in receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, and, in reply, while regretting that you have considered it necessary to decline the appointment which the Government sought to confer upon you, yet I cannot but admit that there is a good deal of reason shown in your letter for such refusal. The question raised in the latter portion of your letter is of such importance that I shall submit it for the consideration of Cabinet, upon the return of the Premier to Wellington. Yours, &c, W. B. Edwards, Esq., Solicitor, Brandon Street, Wellington. E. Mitchelson.

No. 3.* The Hon. the Pbemieb to W. B. Edwabds, Esq. Sib, — Wellington, Ist March, 1890. In reference to the conversation I had with you on the subject of the appointment of a Commissioner under section 20 of " The Native Land Court Acts Amendment Act, 1889," I have now the honour to inform you that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to approve of your appointment to that office. It has appeared to the Government, and such appears to be the general feeling, that, for an office of such importance, involving such large interests, the Commissioner should have the status of a Judge of the Supreme Court, and therefore you will be appointed to that office also. As you are aware, the demands on the time of the present Judges of the Supreme Court cause inconvenient but unavoidable delay in the despatch of business, and. the leave of absence granted to Mr. Justice Eichmond will aggravate the evil unless some provision is now made to meet it. The Government is averse to the appointment of a temporary Judge if it can be avoided, and they hope that the arrangement by which you will afford occasional assistance in the Supreme Court work will temporarily meet the requirements. Your salary will be £1,500 per annum, the same as the present Puisne Judges. Your commissions to the above offices will be at once forwarded to you. I have, &c, W. B. Edwards, Esq., Wellington. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 4. W. B. Edwards, Esq., to the Hon. the Pbemieb. Sik,— Wellington, sth March, 1890. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist March, and to say that I accept the appointments therein named upon the terms therein mentioned. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. B. Edwaeds.

No. 5. The Hon. W. E. Eussell to His Honour Mr. Justice Edwaeds. Sib, — New Zealand, Department of Justice, Wellington, 6th March, 1890. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying commission, under the hand of His Excellency the Governor and the seal of the colony, appointing you to be a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. I also enclose a commission assigning you to hold the office of a Judge in bankruptcy. It will be necessary for you to take the customary oaths before his Honour the Chief Justice, who has been authorised to administer them to you. I have, &c, His Honour Mr. Justice Edwards, Wellington. W. E. Eussell.

No. G. The Hon. W. E. Eussell to His Honour the Chief Justice. Sib, — New Zealand, Department of Justice, Wellington, 6th March, 1890. I have the honour to transmit to you herewith an instrument under the hand of His Excellency the Governor and the seal of the colony authorising you to administer the oaths of office and allegiance to his Honour Mr. Justice Edwards. Forms of oath are also enclosed. When duly signed I shall be obliged by your returning them to this office for record. I have, &c, His Honour the Chief Justice, Wellington. W. E. Eussell.

*Nos. 3,' 4, 5, 6 and 7 were laid before Parliament in 1890. See correspondence relating to the appointment of Mr. Edwards (H.-24, 1890).