A.—sc

1881. NEW ZEALAND.

PROPOSED ALTERATIONS AND REDUCTIONS IN AGENT-GENERAL'S OFFICE (CORRESPONDENCE WITH SIR F. D. BELL).

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

No. 1. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet to the Hon. Sir F D. Bell. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, 15th November, 1880. Herewith I beg leave to forward to you copy of correspondence (vide A.-sb, 1881) which has passed between the Government and Sir Julius Vogel on the subject of the staff of the AgentGeneral's office, and the reorganization which has become necessary in consequence of the reduction of the vote for the department to the sum of three thousand pounds (£3,000). These papers will place you fully in possession of the views of the Government on the subject. Tou will probably find on your arrival that Sir J Vogel has, in pursuance of the instructions contained in my letter of the 10th September, already taken steps to effect reductions in the staff of the department. In any case it is the desire of the Government that you should, on assuming office as Agent-General, proceed with such reorganization of the staff, if not already completed, as may appear to you necessary for the purpose of giving effect to their views. With this object you are fully authorized to make such changes in the personnel of the staff, by removal and appointment, as may appear to you to be called for. In the case of the Secretaryship to the Agent-General, however, should you think any alteration, other than that which Sir J Vogel has already been requested to make, desirable, you will be good enough to communicate with me before taking any steps in the matter. As immigration has been discontinued, the number of cash transactions passing through your office must be very limited. Under these circumstances I would suggest, as worthy of your consideration, whether anything could be done, after consulting with the Auditor-General, by way of amalgamating the duties of the Accountant and of the Auditor. Tou are so fully acquainted with the wishes of Parliament, and of Ministers, on the subject of the cost of the public service of the colony, that I feel sure I need not urge upon you the desirability of the utmost economy being practised in dealing with this question. I have, &c, The Hon. Sir F. D. Bell, M.L.C., "Wellington. Thomas Dick.

No. 2. The Hon. Sir F D. Bell to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic,— Shag Valley, Otago, 24th November, 1880. I have had the honor to receive your letter, transmitting copies of the correspondence which has passed between the Government and Sir Julius Vogel on the subject of the staff in the AgentGeneral's office. It will be my first care, on assuming the duties of Agent-General, to give effect to your instructions, so that the expenditure of the office may be brought within the vote. I hope to see the Con-troller-General at Melbourne on my way to England, on the subject of amalgamating the duties of Accountant and Auditor in London ; and I can see no reason why this should not be done. The Government may thoroughly depend on my enforcing the utmost economy in the London office, and on receiving from me full information as to the future working of the office, as soon as possible after my arrival. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, &c. F D. Bell.