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No. 65. [Extract from New Zealand Gazette, No. 19, of the 19th March, 1891.] Commission undee " The Native Land Covet Acts Amendment Act, 1889," to cease. Native Office, Wellington, 18th March, 1891. It is hereby notified for public information that W toeley Bassett Edwaeds, Esq., and John Oemsby, Esq., being Commissioners appointed under "The Native Land Court Acts Amendment Act, 1889," will cease to hold office from and after the 31st instant. W. P. Beeves, (For the Native Minister.)

No. 66. His Honour the Chief Justice to the Hon. the Pbemiee. Sib, — Judge's Chambers, Wellington, 16th March, 1891. You are, I believe, aware that, after the appointment of Mr. Edwards had been made, and after I had been appointed to administer the oath to him, I entertained serious doubts as to the power of the Governor to appoint a Judge of the Supreme Court for life beyond the number for whom salaries were provided by law, and whether, therefore, I ought to decline to administer the oath. You are also, I believe, aware that I on that occasion consulted the other Judges on that question, and that they furnished me by telegraph with their views, and that I, with their sanction, communicated those telegrams to the then Ministry. Notwithstanding the objection there is to the appearance of obtruding unsought opinions upon you, the circumstances seem to me to require that, as a matter of precaution, I should inform you that I have reason to believe one or more of the Judges, in addition to Mr. Justice Richmond, have, since sending me the telegrams above referred to, come to, or are inclined to, the opinion that the sth section of " The Supreme Court Act, 1882," does authorise the appointment for life of more Judges than those for whom salaries are provided by law. As I have mentioned, I write this only as a precaution. I believe, however, that if the Government should think fit to ask the individual Judges for an opinion on the subject they would be willing to furnish it. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. James Peendebgast, Chief Justice.

No. 67. The Hon. the Peemiee to His Honour the Chief Justice. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 16th March, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, relative to the appointment of Mr. Edwards. I have the telegrams from their Honours the Judges giving their views to which you refer, and I shall be glad to receive any further opinions that, after consideration, they may have formed. I have, &c, His Honour the Chief Justice, Wellington. J. Ballance, Premier.

No. 68. His Honour the Chief Justice to the Hon. the Pebmibe, Sir,— Judge's Chambers, Wellington, 17th March, 1891. 1 have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, informing me that you will be glad to receive any further opinion from their Honours the Judges, and to inform you that I have written to each of the Judges, advising them of the contents of your letter. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. James Peendeegast, Chief Justice.

No. 69. His Honour the Chief Justice to the Hon. the Pbemieb. Sib,— Judge's Chambers, Wellington, 10th April, 1891. I have now the honour to send to you the memoranda by Mr. Justice Richmond, Mr. Justice Williams, and Mr. Justice Denniston upon the subject of the appointment of Mr. Justice Edwards as Judge of the Supreme Court. Mr. Justice Conolly informs me that he does not propose to make any further communication on the subject, as he has not seen sufficient reason to change the views expressed in the telegram from him. For myself, though I still entertain the doubts I have always felt on the subject, I have not been able at this time to find sufficient leisure to write on the subject, but propose to do so as soon as possible. I have, &c, The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. James Peendebgast, Chief Justice,