J.—l.

(d.) That your petitioner was informed and believed that his Honour the Chief Justice had been consulted as to, and had approved of, your petitioner's appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. (c.) That your petitioner entered upon the duties of a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand prior to the consideration of his position by Parliament at the express request of his Honour the Chief Justice, and also of the Ministry for the time being in office, and that your petitioner continued to discharge such duties until the commencement of the aforesaid proceedings against him. (/•) That .your petitioner has in every way in his power urged the necessity of amending the powers given by " The Native Land Court Acts Amendment Act, 1889," so as to render the same effective. (g.) That, if the same powers had been so amended, there would have been ample work of the character to perform which your petitioner was specially appointed to occupy the whole of his time. (/i.) That the necessity for amending the same powers is recognised in the Bill relating to Native lands now under the consideration of Parliament. (..) That if for motives of policy it is deemed expedient by Parliament to confer the said extended powers upon another tribunal, it is not just that your petitioner should suffer from such alteration in policy. (j.) That, unless provision is made for payment out of the public funds of your petitioner's costs of the said appeal to the Privy Council, it is impossible that the points of law therein raised can be properly argued or satisfactorily determined. (k.) That during the pendency of the said appeal it is not possible for your petitioner to occupy himself in any profitable pursuit, and that if provision is not made for payment of your petitioner's salary during such pendency your petitioner will be placed in grave difficulty, and may probably be compelled to resign his office. (I.) That unless during the pendency of the said appeal leave of absence is granted to your petitioner, your petitioner will be compelled to continue the exercise of his judicial functions. (to.) That your petitioner has given up a large and lucrative practice, built up during a period of nearly fourteen years, and has debarred himself from again engaging therein in order to accept high office under the Crown, and that the public faith of the_ colony requires that the contract entered into by the late Ministry with your petitioner should be strictly adhered to. 55. Wherefore your petitioner prays that right may be done to him, and that he may have such relief as to your Honourable House may seem meet. And your petitioner will ever pray, &c. W. B. Edwaeds.

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