H.—2B

1875. NEW ZEALAND.

CHANGES IN DISTRIBUTION OF JUDGES OF SUPREME COURT, (CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO).

Return io an Order of ihe Souse of Representatives, dated 28lh Jidy, 1875, " That there he laid on the Table all Correspondence relating to the recent changes in the distribution of the Judges ofthe Supreme Court."— (Mr. Rolleston.

No. 1. The Hon. tho Colonial Seceetaey to His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston. Sic, — . Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 7th October, 1874. In compliance with what is understood to be the wish of the Legislature, as expressed in the Eeport of the Joint Committee of both Houses in the Ward-Chapman Inquiry, it is intended to make arrangements " for the periodical shifting of Supreme Court and District Court Judges to different Circuits." His Honor the Chief Justice has expressed his readiness to remove to Wellington. Mr. Justice Chapman will be requested to take the Auckland District. I have to invite your Honor to be good enough to say which of the two districts, Canterbury and Otago, you would prefer to take. It is proposed that the changes shall be made on or about the Ist of .February next; and that a sum of two hundred pounds (£200) shall be allowed to each Judge of the Supreme Court to defray the cost of removal. If the making of this change of residence should in the case of any of the Judges be found to entail special loss or charge not covered by the sum before mentioned, the Government will be prepared to consider favourably any representation that may be made on that point. I have, &c, His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, Wellington. Daniel Pollen.

No. 2. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Judge's Chambers, Wellington, 10th October, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th October, respecting the removal of the Judges; and in reply, I have the honor to state that, before giving a definite answer, I should like to have an opportunity of consulting the other Judges on the subject. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Alexandee J. Johnston.

No. 3. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Judge's Chambers, Wellington, 14th November, 1874. Having now had an opportunity of consulting my brother Judges on the subject of your letter of the 7th October, to which I have sent an interim answer, I have the honor to inform you that if the Canterbury District of the Supremo Court be assigned to me, I shall be prepared to remove to it during the month of February, or before the expiration of the vacation, which ends on the 10th March. But, in order to prevent misapprehension, I deem it my duty to say that I assent to the proposal on the footing of your representation that the Legislature have expressed their approval of the propriety of the proposed changes, and that the Grovernment deem them necessary for tho exigencies of the public service; without my admitting that in my opinion there is any proved necessity for them, or that tho currently reported scheme is the most convenient one for the alleged purposes, or that it is constitutional in principle, or that tho time has been opportunely chosen for introducing it, when, as it is understood, the attention of the Legislature is about to be invited to a general reform of the constitution and procedure of the Court.