A.—No. 6

PAPERS RELATIVE TO A PROPOSED CONFERENCE

10

No. 69—69-275, January 28,1869.

No. 67—60-213

If the American Government had at the first been asked to contribute towards its support, 1 believe it would have been glad to do so. I derived this information from conversations with some of the merchants in New York. In the event of the Government or the Company opening up negotiations with the United States Government on this subject, I think it would be advisable to obtain the co-operation of the New York Chamber of Commerce. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. W. Daeling.

No. 18. The Hon. E. W. Stafford to His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston. (No. 67-69, 215.) Colonial Secretary's Office, (Judicial Branch), Sir,— AVellington, 28th January, 1869. This Government has proposed to the Australian Governments the advisability of a conference of delegates being held for the purpose of considering certain important matters of joint interest to the Australasian Colonies. Replies have been received from the several Governments expressing an unanimous assent to such proposal, and it has been suggested that one of the subjects of deliberation should be the establishment of an Australasian Court of Appeal and Legal Comity between the Colonies. Anticipating that such a conference will shortly be held, and that this subject may be submitted to it, it is important that the New Zealand delegates should be fortified by the opinion of the Judges of the Supreme Court in this Colony on the advisability, and, in that case, the best mode of affecting the object proposed, and I shall feel obliged if your Honor would, either singly or in concert with the other Judges, favour the Government with your views in reference to this project, and with any suggestions which it may appear to you to require. I have, &c, His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, AVellington. E. W. Stafford. No. 68.—Similar letter to His Honor Mr. Justice AVard. No. 69.—Similar letter to His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson. No. 70. —Similar letter to His Honor Mr. Justice Richmond. No. 71. —Similar letter to His Honor Sir G. A. Arney, Chief Justice.

No. 19. His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson to the Hon. E. AY. Stafford. Sic, — Judge's Chambers, Christchurch, 4th February, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, of number and date in the margin, informing me that the New Zealand Government has proposed to the Australian Governments the advisability of a conference of delegates being held, for the purpose of considering certain important matters of joint interest to the Australian Colonies, and that replies have been received from the several Governments expressing an unanimous assent to such proposal, and that it has been suggested that one of the subjects of deliberation should be the establishment of an Australian Court of Appeal and Legal Comity between the Colonies, and, in anticipation of such a conference being shortly held, requesting my views, cither singly or in concert with the other Judges of the Supreme Court, on the advisability and best mode of effecting the object proposed. I have the honor to state in reply that, as I think the object of the Government would be best effected by procuring the unanimous opinion of the Judges, if such opinion can be obtained, I propose to defer expressing my views, or offering any suggestions on the subject, until I shall have had an opportunity of learning the opinion of His Honor the Chief Justice and the other Judges, to some of whom I am writing on the subject by this mail. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington. H. B. Gresson.

No. 20. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Sib, — Judge's Chambers, AVellington, 23rd February, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 2Sth January, and numbered as in the margin, and in answer I have the honor to state that I shall take this important subject into my immediate consideration. I should be glad, however, before giving any definite answer, to have the opportunity of communicating with my brother Judges. This reply has been accidentally overlooked. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary I have, <fee, (Judicial Branch). Alexander J. Johnston.

No. 21. His Honor Chief Justice Sir G. A. Arney to the Hon. E. AY. Stafford. Sic,— Auckland, 26th February, 1869. Referring to the question which the Government have suggested for the consideration of the Judges of the Supreme Court, viz., whether one of the subjects to be brought before the conference of