CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO MR. W. L. BULLER'S LEAVE OF ABSENCE TO ENGLAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1871 Session I, G-30

G— No. 30.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO MR. W. L. BULLER'S LEAVE OF ABSENCE TO ENGLAND.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OP HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1871.

G.—No. 30.

No. 1. Mr. Bulleb to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Sib,— Wellington, 6th April, 1871. Being desirous of visiting England during the present year, for the purpose of bringing out a work on the Birds of New Zealand, I am anxious to be informed on what terms the Government will be prepared to grant me leave of absence for a period of, say, eighteen months, commencing from the Ist July next. I may shortly state that I have been in the Civil Service of the Colony for a period of sixteen years, and that the leave obtained at various times during that long term has not exceeded, in the aggregate, four calendar months. I may state, further, that my salary as Eesident Magistrate at Wanganui is £400 a year, but that, reckoning Begistrar's fees and other allowances, my total income from oificial sources amounts to about £600 a year. The scientific work on which I have been for many years engaged, is hardly likely to prove remunerative in a pecuniary sense ; while, on the other hand, the first cost of publication will amount to not less than £1,000, to say nothing of incidental expenses. Under these circumstances, I venture to hope that the Government will grant me leave of absence on favourable terms, and, if possible, make some arrangement by which my visit to England can be made serviceable to the Colony and remunerative to myself. I have, <fee., Walter Bullee, Eesident Magistrate, Wanganui.

No. 2. The Hon. W. Gisboene to Mr. Btjllee. Colonial Secretary's Office (Judicial Branch), Sib,— Wellington, Bth April, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, applying for eighteen months' leave of absence to proceed to England, for the purpose of publishing a work on the Birds of .New Zealand. In reply, I have to inform you that the Government will grant you eighteen months' leave of absence on half-pay, from Ist July next, and will, in consideration of the value to the Colony of the work upon which you are engaged, pay your own passage to and from England, at a sum not exceeding £100 each way. Dr. Eeatherston, the Agent-General of the Colony, will, during your continuance in England, utilize your services in a secretarial capacity, and especially in collecting and transmitting to the Colony information required by the l(1lax Commission and by Dr. Hector, as pointed out in the memorandum and letter, copies of which I forwarded to you in my letter of the Bth instant. You will receive in England, on account of your duties there, such remuneration as will, with your half-pay, make the total equal to your annual salary. A copy of this correspondence will be furnished to Dr. Peatherston. W. Gisboeite. W. L. Buller, Esq., Eesident Magistrate, Wanganui.

No. 3. The Hon. W. Gisboene to Mr. Bulleb. Colonial Secretary's Office (Judicial Branch), SIE, — Wellington, 12th April, 1871. Adverting to my letter of the Bth insl"ant, I have the honor to inform you that, while in England on leave of absence, you will be authorized to draw half your actual salary as Resident Magistrate, namely, £200 per annum; and in addition, a sum not exceeding £400 per annum for services you are to render to the Agent-General in England —making in. all a sura of £600 per annum. I have, &c, W. L. Buller, Esq., Eesident Magistrate, Wanganui. W. Gisbobwe.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO MR. W. L. BULLER'S LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

G.—No. 30.

No. 4. The Hon. W. Gisboene to Dr. Peatheeston. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 14th April, 1871. I have the honor to transmit for your information the accompanying copy of a letter, and my reply thereto, on the subject of leave of absence to Mr. W. L. Buller, R.M., at Waugauui, and his services being available to you during his stay in England. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand. W. Gisboene.

No. 5. The Hon. W. Gisboene to Major Edwabds. Colonial Secretary's Office (Judicial Branch), Sib, — "Wellington, 29th June, 1871. I have the honor to inform you that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint you to be a Resident Magistrate for the Eesident Magistrate's District of Wanganui, and as such to exercise the extended jurisdiction of the Court up to £100, during the absence of Mr. Buller. Your salary as Resident Magistrate will be at the rate of £200 per annum, and the appointment will date from the Ist proximo. The proper Departments will communicate with you regarding the other offices held by Mr. Buller. I have to request you to be good enough to proceed to your destination with as little delay as possible. I have, <fee, Major Edwards, Wellington. W. Gisboene.

MR. BULLER'S LEAVE OE ABSENCE