A.—No. 7.

misunderstanding, which would be removed by an interview between the Chief Justice and the Honorable the Colonial Secretary; but, for the present, they have the honor of informing the Government that, although by law the responsibility lies entirely upon them, as to the time and extent of the vacation, and they are quite prepared to shew that the public would have no just cause of complaint, and would suffer no inconvenience from the lengthening of the vacation, they will refrain for the present from altering the existing rule on the subject. George Alfred Akney, C.J., Alexander J. Johnson, J., H. B. Geesson, J., C. W. Eichmond, J. Christchurch, 9th March, 18G3. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary.

No. 7. AS TO TAXATION OF COSTS IN SUPREME COURT. Sir — In answer to your letter to the Chief Justice, dated 5th February, 1863, accompanying correspondence and documents relating to the taxation of costs. The Judges find they have not time to enter fully into this subject, and they think that a parliamentary inquiry may possibly be desirable. They are, however, of opinion that under the existing circumstances of the Colony, a rigid uniformity in the taxation of costs throughout the Colony might be unjust, as there is a very marked, though it may be temporary, difference in the cost of the necessaries of life between the different settlements. Probably an intermediate scale of costs between the highest and lowest of which examples have been given, would be the proper one for all parts of the Colony, not exposed to exceptional influences, which for the time diminish the value of money. In the last mentioned places, it would seem that some additional per centage might be with propriety allowed. The Judges are of opinion that the matter is not yet ripe for their interference. George Alfred Arney, C.J., Alexander J. Johnston, J., H. B. Gresson, J., C. W. Richmond, J. The Honorable the Colonial Secretaiy, Auckland.

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JUDICIAL MEMORANDA AND REPORTS.