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own minute upon it to Mr. Richardson, in anticipation of the full papers which will be forwarded when Mr. Sealy's reply is received. Mr. Richardson will then be entitled to add any remark before the papers are finally published. In reference to your minute of 20th April, in the latter part of which you appear to desire to mix up with this question a matter of personal difference of opinion between the Superintendent and the Executive, I have to state my regret that a matter which requires the most impartial consideration should have other questions imported into it. You will therefore excuse my entering upon that matter at the present time. W. ROLLESTON, 29th April, 1876. Superintendent.

No. 9. The Hon. the Colonial Secbetaby to Sir J. C. Wilson. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 12th June, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th May, and to inform you that, in compliance with the request contained therein, it is proposed to advise His Excellency the Governor to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into and report upon the administration of the Waste Lauds Department in the Province of Canterbury. I have, &c, Sir J. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., X.C.5.1., &c, Christchurch. Daniel Pollen.

No. 10. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet to his Honor the Supebintendent, Canterbury. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 10th June, 1876. I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter from Sir J. C. Wilson, requesting that a Commission may be appointed to inquire into the manner in which the Survey Department of Canterbury is conducted, and the charges which have been made against it; and to inform your Honor that it is proposed to advise his Excellency the Governor to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into and report upon the administration of that department. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Canterbury. Daniel Pollen.

No. 11. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Canterbury, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sib,— Wellington, 19th June, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th instant, enclosing a copy of a letter from Sir Cracroft Wilson relative to the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the manner in which the Survey Department in Canterbury is conducted. It appears from your letter and its enclosure that, without any reference to myself as Superintendent of the province, upon the representation of a number of my Executive Council, all whose " acts and proceedings" are by law subject to my approval, the Colonial Government propose to advise his Excellency to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the administration of a department under my supervision. I am now for the first time informed that the application which you forward has been made to the Government, and, beyond the letter which you enclose, the papers referred to in which are not forwarded to me, I am not placed in possession of the reasons which have influenced the Government to entertain this proposal without previous consultation with myself as head of the Executive Government of Canterbury. As at present informed, I am not aware of sufficient reasons to call for the appointment of such a Commission, and I must protest against such an interference with my administration without my consent. I am the more surprised at the course taken by the Government, because it is only recently that I have personally assured them of my desire to afford every assistance to the Secretary for Crown Lands and the Surveyor-General in making full inquiry into the present condition of the surveys. I must point out, in conclusion, that the proposal to act upon the recommendation of one of my advisers —a recommendation sent to you without my knowledge or consent, is, as far as lam aware, an unprecedented course, and an aifront both to myself as Superintendent, and to the province of which I am the elected head. I have to request that this correspondence may be laid before his Excellency, in the event of his being advised to appoint a Royal Commission in terms of your letter. I have, <fee, Wm. Rolleston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent of Canterbury. By Authority: G-eobgb Didsbubt, Government Printer, Wellington. —1876. Pric« Ib.]