MESSAGE No. 12.

His Excellency the Officer administering the Government forwards to the House of Representatives certain papers which have been received representing the necessity of establishing a branch of the Customs Department at the Chatham Islands, and in the event of the House considering it advisable to appoint a Collector of Customs and Resident Magistrate at this station, His Excellency suggests that provision should be made for the expense of such an officer. R. H. Wynyabd, Officer administering the Government. Government House, Auckland, September 6th, 1854.