47

C—No. 8

Treasury, Auckland, February 4, 1858. Sir,— I have the honor, by the direction of the Colonial Treasurer, to inform you that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint you an Assistant Native Secretary at the Nelson Gold Fields, with a salary of one hundred pounds (£100) per annum. This office cannot at present be considered as of a permanent character, but its continuance and remuneration will be dependent on the progress of the Gold Fields, and on the influx of Natives thither. Your duty will be to enquire into the state of the Natives at the Nelson Gold Diggings, and report fully on that subject; to visit them frequently, and to arrange as far as possible all cases of dispute that may arise between the various Natives there, and between them and the Europeans. You will keep a monthly Journal of your proceedings, and transmit it regularly to the Native Secretary ; to whom you will address all letters, and from whom you will receive any further instructions that may be necessary. You will enter on the duties of your office, and your salary will commence, immediately upon your receipt of this communication. Your salary will be paid by Mr. Poynter, the Sub-Treasurer at Nelson, to whom you are requested to intimate the date of such receipt. I have, &c, (Signed) W. Gisborne, Under--Secretary, J. Mackay, Esq., Nelson,