D.—No. 2

No. 54. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to Dr. Knight. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir,— Wellington, 29th April, 1865. I have the honor by the direction of Mr. Weld, to acknowledge the receipt of your report dated 21st instant, and to return to you the thanks of the Government for the valuable information which it contains, and for the important services which you are rendering. The Honorable Mr. Mantell is proceeding to Auckland by the vessel which takes this letter, and as you will be able to consult him personally, it is unnecessary to send you any further written instructions. With regard to the Report which Major Heaphy has sent through you on the Survey Department, I am to request you to be good enough to obtain a copy of that report from that officer, and to communicate it as soon as possible to his Honor the Superintendent of Auckland. I have, &c., Dr. Knight, Auckland. W. Gisboene, Under Secretary. No. 55. Dr. Knight, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir,— Auckland, Ist May, 1865. I have the honor to enclose for your information a correspondence with the Provincial Executive on the subject of the settlement of the Waikato immigrants. On the 15th April, his Honor the Superintendent requested me to furnish a copy of my instructions on the subject of his declining further agency in the settlement of the Waikato immigrants. I stated in reply that my instructions on that subject were clearly defined in the Colonial Secretary's letter addressed to his Honor on the 10th ultimo. On the 27th April, the Superintendent requested me formally to assume the responsibility of conducting all business connected with the settling of the Waikato immigrants. To this request I replied that I had no authority to accept such transfer, and that the business he wished me to undertake was not compatible with the duties of the Auditor of Public Accounts. On the 28th April, his Honor again requested me to furnish a copy of my instructions, or at least to inform him what powers I hold, and he added that he considered himself entitled to my confidence. As I had no further information to give him on the subject to which he had restricted his inquiries, I pointed out to his Honor that it was reasonable I should expect him to accept my statement that I was not authorised to accept the proposed transfer. It seemed that no good results could be expected trom a further correspondence, and as it could not be the wish of the General Government to put any obstacle in the way of his Honor if he wished to be relieved of a charge which had been voluntarily undertaken, I accepted the transfer, and informed him accordingly. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Charles Knight. Enclosure 1 to No. 55. The Superintendent, Auckland, to Dr. Knight. Sir, —■ Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 15th April, 1865. I am informed by the Colonial Secretary, in reference to my letter declining on behalf of the Provincial Executive further agency in the settlement of immigrants on the Waikato, that he had instructed you to proceed to Auckland, with powers to act in this matter on behalf of the General Government: I have therefore to request that you will furnish the Provincial Executive with a copy of your instructions on the subject. I have, &c, Dr. Knight, Robert Graham, Auditor-General. Superintendent. Enclosure 2 to No. 55. The Superintendent, Auckland, to Dr. Knight. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 27th April, 1865. I have the honor to request that you will formally assume the responsibility of conducting all business connected with the settling of the Waikato immigrants. On the 3rd instant I informed the Colonial Secretary that the Provincial Executive resigned their agency, continuing to act until the receipt of advice by the return mail from Wellington, after which time we should consider ourselves relieved. Since then fresh proposals have been received from the General Government, and it remains an open question whether or not I shall accept them. Meanwhile however, my position is undefined, and I deem it prudent to avoid the complications which may arise therefrom. As I greatly desire not to cause any embarrassment either to the General Government or to yourself, 1 shall willingly assist you in any manner you may direct. You will understand however that I am not responsible for what may be done. I am the more anxious to make this understanding distinct, as immediate steps must be taken in reference to several matters of detail, including the making provision for immigrants by ships nosy due, and the retaining of the services of several of the overseers (all of whom are now under notice of dismissal) if the works are to go on. I have, &c, Dr. Knight, . Robert Graham, Auditor-General. Superintendent. X

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