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Enclosure in No. 8. Extract from Minutes of Meeting of Waste Lands Board. Invercargill. of date 14th March, 1878. Moved by Mr. Lumsden, seconded by Sir John Eichardson, — That the Hon. the Minister for Lands be requested to take such steps as will secure the payment to the Forest Bailiff, Duncan Campbell (who is also Eanger of Crown Lands), of the salary and travelling expenses, as shown in the Appropriation Act. —Carried. W. 11. Pearson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

commissioner 01 urown .Lianas. No. 9. The Under Secretary for Grown Lands, Wellington, to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill. Sir,— . 27th March, 1878. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Minister for Lands, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, and in reply to inform you that salary and travelling expenses will be paid to Duncan Campbell, the Forest Bailiff-and Crown Lands Ranger, as voted on the last estimates, at the rate of £175 per annum for salary and £75 travelling allowance up to the end of this month, after which date his services will no longer be required, as his duties can be performed by Mr. Mussen. I have, &c, H. J. H. Eliott, The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill. Under Secretary.

No. 10. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill, to the Hon. the Minister for Lands, Wellington. Sir,-— Crown Lands Office, Invercargill, 28th March, 1878 I have the honor to forward, in terms of ".The Land Act, 1877," the resignation of the Hon. Sir John Eichardson of his seat as a member of the Southland Waste Lands Board. I have, &c, W. H. Pearson, Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Hon. the Minister for Lands, Wellington.

Enclosure in No. 10. The Hon. Sir John Eichardson, M.L.C, to the Chief Commissioni; it, Southland Waste Lands Board, Invercargill. Sir,— Invercargill, 28th March, 1878. I have the honor to tender the resignation of my appointment as a member of the Southland Waste Lands Board. I have, &c, J. Eichardson. The Chief Commissioner of the Southland Waste Lands Board, Invercargill.

No. 11. The Hon. J. Macandrew to the Hon. Sir John Eichardson, M.L.C. (Telegram.) 6th April, 1878. \ Government regret that you have resigned your seat at Waste Lands Board, in consequence, it is said, of Eanger Campbell's discharge from service. Ton may rest satisfied that this step was not taken hurriedly, or without good and sufficient grounds. It is proposed, on further consideration, to remove him to another district, where he will be less mixed up among the persons with whom his important duties may bring him into contact. Under the circumstances Government would be glad if you will reconsider your resignation, which will not in the meantime be acted on. J. Macandrew.

No. 12. The Hon. Sir John Eichardson, M.L.C., to the Hon. J. Macandrew. (Telegram.) ■ Bth April, 1878. I trust the Government feel assured that my resignation was only on account of the necessity, in my opinion, of the Board having effective control over its servants, and more especially in a case where the success or failure of the deferred-payment system is concerned. lam glad to learn that decision of Government in re Campbell is merely a transfer of office. Might I venture, while asking permission in accordance with your request to withdraw my resignation, respectfully and earnestly to urge that in all future cases any charges against any servant of the Board be remitted for the Board's investigation and decision, so essential to the conduct of tho important duties intrusted to the Board. J. Richardson. 2—C. 3.