H.—l3

6

No. 18. W. B. Edwards, Esq., to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir,— Wellington, 26th March, 1890. I have the honour to inform you that I have appointed Mr. Frank E. Wilson my Associate, and Secretary to the Commissioners appointed under the 20th section of " The Native Land Court Acts Amendment Act, 1889," and that Mr. Wilson has entered upon the performance of his duties. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Native Affairs, Wellington. W. B. Edwards.

No. 19. The Hon. the Minister of Justice to the Hon. the Colonial Teeasubeb. (Memorandum.) Department of Justice, Wellington, Ist April, 1890. It has been decided that the salary to be paid to Mr. Justice Edwards shall attach to the office of Judge of the Supreme Court, and not to the office of Native Commissioner; but, as the Civil List provides for four Puisne Judges only, it will be necessary for the present to charge Mr. Justice Edwards's salary of £1,500 a year to "Unauthorised expenditure." Will you be so good as to sanction this charge. W. E. Eussell. Approved.—T. W. Hislop.—loth April, 1890.

No. 20. The Undee-Secbetaey, Native Department, to W. B. Edwabds, Esq. Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 2nd April, 1890. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, in which you state that you have appointed Mr. Frank E. Wilson your Associate and Secretary, and, in reply, am directed by the Hon. Mr. Hislop—in the absence of the Hon. the Native Minister—to inform you that your action has been approved. Your Associate has been authorised to receive an allowance at the rate of 17s. 6d. a day, exclusive of Sundays, when acting as secretary to the Commission, but no salary as Associate will be paid. The rate of pay which has been authorised is to cover all travelling-expenses excepting cost of transit. I have, &c, W. J. MOBPETH, (For Under-Secretary.) Mr. Commissioner Edwards, Government Buildings, Wellington.

No. 21. The Undeb-Seceetaby for Justice to the Hon. the Minister of Justice. Hon. Minister of Justice. Is a Bill to be prepared to amend the Civil List Act to allow of the appointment of one or more additional Judges of the Supreme Court ? If so, should not instructions on the subject be now given '? C. J. A. Haselden. 24th April, 1890. A Bill has been prepared, and is now in the hands of Captain Eussell to introduce.—Fred. Whitakee. —June, 1890.

No. 21a. SUPREME COURT. ANALYSIS. Title Preamble more Judges '° be appointed than salaries provided I Ip'oin^me'nts validated. *■ Sal^'of Jud§esA Bill iktitulbd An Act to amend "The Supreme Court Act, 1882," and to provide for the Payment of an Additional Judge. Whereas doubts have been raised as to the validity of the appointments of some of the Judges of the Supreme Court, and it is essential that all such doubts should be set at rest: And whereas it is desirable that the number of Judges who may be appointed by His Excellency the Governor in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty should be limited to the number for whom salaries are provided by the General Assembly : Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows :— 1. The Short Title of this Act is " The Supreme Court Act, 1890." 2. Every appointment of a Judge of the Supreme Court heretofore made by the Governor for the time being of the Colony of New Zealand is hereby declared to be and to have been valid and effectual to all intents and purposes whatsoever from the date of every such appointment.