9

H.—l3

Since the retirement of Mr. Wilson there has not, until recently, been much to do ; but a large number of applications have now been lodged, and it is necessary that a secretary should at once be appointed. With a view to curtailing as much as possible the expense of the Commission, I am willing that my secretary should act also as Secretary to the Commission ; but he must, of course, receive some extra remuneration for so doing. I would suggest to you that a very moderate remuneration, considering the importance and responsibility of the duties, would be £2 10s. per week, in addition to his salary of £2 per week as my secretary. This, of course, is in addition to the travelling-allow-ances to which, in any case, he is entitled as my secretary when travelling in attendance on me. It is not practicable to divide the time occupied by Supreme Court work from that occupied by the duties of the Commission. There is always something to be done with regard to the Commission. At the present time there is a great deal to be done; yet the work of the Supreme Court must go on as usual. It is therefore necessary that the salary should be paid continuously. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Native Affairs, Wellington. W. B. Edwards.

No. 30. The Hon. the Native Minister to Mr. Commissioner Edwards. Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 22nd September, 1890. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, in which you call my attention to the necessity for making immediate provision for the appointment of a secretary to the Native Land Commission, and suggest that your secretary should act as secretary to the Commission at an extra remuneration of £2 10s. per week to be paid continuously. In reply I have to inform you that, as it is necessary to keep down the expenditure as much as possible, I will arrange that one of the permanent clerks of this office can act as clerk to the Commission, and, on receipt of your reply, will give directions for him to wait upon you, and receive your instructions. I have, &c, His Honour Mr. Commissioner Edwards, Wellington. E. Mitchelson.

No. 31. Mr. Commissioner Edwards to the Hon. the Native Minister. Sib, — Judge's Chambers, Wellington, 20th September, 1890. I have the honour to inform you that among other applications for inquiry made to the Native Land Commissioners there are several from the Auckland District, some relating to land in the Waikato district and some to land in the Tauranga district. When Mr. Commissioner Ormsby was appointed I was informed that it was not contemplated that he should sit for the consideration of any claims in the Auckland District. I am not aware whether this extends to lands at Tauranga, or whether it is limited to lands in the district in which Mr. Commissioner Ormsby resides. It will be necessary to make provision for hearing claims which are not to be dealt with by Mr. Commissioner Ormsby. I shall probably be able to make arrangements to deal with the Tauranga and Waikato claims during the ensuing long vacation. If this is not done, it may probably be difficult for me to hear these claims for a very considerable time, owing to my duties in the Supreme Court here. I cannot, however, fix any time for hearing these claims until I have learned from you what arrangements are contemplated with respect to the Native Commissioner. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Native Affairs, Wellington. W. B. Edwards.

No. 32. The Hon. the Native Minister to Mr. Commissioner Edwards. Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 22nd September, 1890. Eeferring to your letter of the 20th instant, I have the honour to request you will be good enough to inform me of the respective localities of the land in the Waikato district, in respect of which you have received applications for inquiry. Upon this information being supplied I shall ascertain whether there will be any objection to Mr. Commissioner Ormsby dealing with the cases in question. I have, &c, His Honour Mr. Commissioner Edwards, Wellington. B. Mitchelson.

No. 33. The Hon. B. Mitchelson "to Mr. Commissioner Edwards. Sir, — Native Office, Wellington, 22nd September, 1890. Referring again to your letter of the 20th instant, with reference to your making arrangements to deal with the Tauranga and Waikato claims during the ensuing long vacation, I notice that you remark that if this is not done it may probably be difficult for you to hear these claims for a very considerable time, owing to your duties in the Supreme Court in Wellington. 2—H. 13.