37

H.—lB

No. 79. His Honour the Chief Justice to the Hon. the Peemieb. Sic, — Judge's Chambers, Wellington, sth May, 1891. In reply to your letter of the number and date in the margin, I have the honour to state that there is no doubt that the business of the Supreme Court in the Wellington and in the Nelson and Marlborough Districts can be carried on not only without inconvenience to the public, but with facility to the Judges, by Mr. Justice Richmond and myself. I do not doubt that this would also be the case even if the state of things existing before Mr. Justice Conolly arranged to take the Gisborne sittings were reverted to. If a comparison is made of the population of these districts with the districts ser>ed by the other Judges, the correctness of what I state will be apparent. Your attention may have been drawn to a letter addressed by me to Sir Harry Atkinson, dated the 10th day of June, 1890. With reference to that letter, I desire to state that it seems to have been misunderstood. At the time when it was written Mr. Justice Richmond was on leave, and it had been arranged that Mr. Justice Edwards should not until after the meeting of Parliament exercise any judicial functions. My object was to point oat the necessity for a second Judge here, and not a third ; and that, in order to provide for that, there ought to be, no delay in bringing the matter of Mr. Justice Edwards's appointment before Parliament, the meeting of which was then approaching. I have to apologize for the delay in answering your letter. I have, &c, The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. James Pbwndeegast, Chief Justice.

No. 80. The Undee-Seceetaey for Justice to the Grown Solicitoe, Wellington. Sic, — Department of Justice, Wellington, sth May, 1891. The Government has decided that it is desirable to test in the Supreme Court the validity of the appointment of Mr. W. B. Edwards as a Judge of the Supreme Court, and I am directed by the Minister of Justice to request you to be good enough to take proceedings at once with that object. All necessary documents will be furnished, and any further instructions given to you by the Hon. the Attorney-General. I have, &c, The Crown Solicitor, Wellington. C. J. A. Haselden, Under-Secretary.

No. 81. The Ceown Solioitoe, Wellington, to the Undee-Seceetaby for Justice. Sib,— Wellington, 6th May, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, instructing me to take proceedings in the matter of the appointment of Worley Bassett Edwards, Esquire, to the office of Judge of the Supreme Court. In reply, I beg to report that I have caused the appropriate process to issue in the name of the Hon. the Attorney-General, and that I have reported fully to him on the matter. I have, &c, Hugh Gully, Crown Solicitor, The Under-Secretary, Department of Justice, Wellington.