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necessary for the good government of the whole Colony, and for the maintenance of its unity, that the permanent position of the Seat of Government should now be finally settled. " We are of opinion that the just claims and varied necessities of all parts of the Colony require that the Seat of Government should be placed in a central position, that is to say, somewhere upon the shores of Cook's Straits. " We desire that the actual site of the Capital should be submitted to some independent tribunal, by which the interests of the whole Colony may be impartially considered, apart from those local claims which are sure to be asserted by the several settlements of Cook's Straits, in the discussion of a question so important to their respective interests. " Such a tribunal would, in our opiuion, be best formed by Commissioners having no interest in, or relation with any part of the Colony, and whose high, social, and intellectual standing should guarantee a full enquiry and an impartial decision, founded solely upon a consideration of the advantages which the different sites in Cook's Straits, present for the administration of the Government of the whole Colony. " We venture to think that the Governors of the neighbouring colonies would, if moved thereto by Your Excellency, readily lend their aid in the selection of such Commissioners. "We, therefore, respectfully pray that Your Excellency will be pleased to request their Excellencies the Governors of New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, each to appoint one Commissioner of the character and for the purpose herein referred to, and that Your Excellency will be pleased to submit for the consideration of the Commissioners so appointed, the question as to the best site for the Seat of Government within Cook's Straits. " Impressed with the conviction that continued delay in the settlement of this question will only tend to keep alive those feelings of rivalry and jealousy between different parts of the Colony, which leriously impede the action of Responsible Government, and which threaten at no distant period the dismemberment of the Colony, we respectfully but earnestly pray that your Excellency will cause no time to be lost in carrying into effect the measures now submitted." And whereas their Excellencies the Governors of New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania aforesaid have, in pursuance of the aforesaid Resolutions, respectively appointed The Houorable Joseph Docker, Member of the Legislative Council of the Colony of New South Wales ; The Honorable Sir Francis Murphy, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Colony of of Victoria ; Ronald Campbell Gunn, Esquire ; to be such Commissioners as aforesaid. And whereas it is expedient to confirm SHch appointment under the hand of the Governor and the seal of the said Colony of New Zealand. Now know that I, reposing special trust and confidence in your knowledge, ability, and discretion, and in exercise of all powers and authorities in this behalf enabling me : Do by these Presents constitute, appoint, and confirm you the said Honorable Joseph Docker, Honorable Sir Francis Murphy, Ronald Campbell Gunn, Esquire, to be the Commissioners described or referred to in the said Resolutions : To have and to exercise all the powers, privileges, and authorities, and to discharge all the duties therein severally set forth. Given under my hand at the Government House at Auckland, and issued under the Seal of the Colony of New Zealand, this Twenty-ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four. G. Grey. By His Excellency's Command, Wm. Fox.

No. 25 Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 2nd August, 1864. Sir,I am directed by the Honorable the Colonial Secretary to inform you that the Government have appointed you Secretary to the Commissioners for selecting a site in Cook's Strait for the Seat of Government. You will place your services entirely at the disposal of the Commissioners, and will accompany them during the continuance of their functions in the Colony for the purpose of acting as their official and Private Secretary. Your pay will be at the rate of One Guinea per diem, and your expenses will be paid by the Government. The Sub-Treasurers have been instructed to advance, on the requisition of the Commissioners, such funds as they may require ; you will have to keep all accounts of payments made from these advances, and be careful to obtain all necessary receipts for this expenditure. The accounts to be sent in to the Colonial Secretary's Department at the termination of your employment iv the olfiee to which you are now appointed.

This letter was addressed to Mr. Eaton from the Colonial Defenece Office, in which he was then then temporarily employed.

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SEAT OF GOVERNMENT TO COOK'S STRAITS.