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Mr. E. G. Price to Mr. B. P. Bayly, Superintendent Inspector, Wellington. (Memorandum.) Nelson, 21st April, 1884. On the 15th instant Inspector Hunt visited the flocks in Happy Valley and supervised the dipping. He informed me there were no more of Archer's sheep found in that direction. Archer himself went back to try and find any of the missing sheep, but could not hear of more than eight, and gave instructions to the road contractor to kill all he could get. I intend, as soon as Archer is at liberty, to go through the Eai Valley with him and make a thorough search and inquiry as to the stray sheep. I should have done so before, but Archer could not leave Eichmond until he had made arrangements for paddocking the flock he has there. E.G. Price.

Mr. E. G. Price to Mr. B. P. Bayly, Superintendent Inspector, Wellington. (Memorandum.) Nelson, sth May, 1884. I have to inform you that on the 4th I went with Archer through the Happy Valley district and as far as Hughes's, the contractor's camp, about four miles this side of the Eai Saddle, with reference to Archer's missing sheep, and could hear of none having been seen in this district. I think myself that most of the missing lot must have been lost on the other side of the saddle, or, if lost on this side, have made their way back. I think, from what I have seen of the road, that the best place to stop sheep coming from Havelock would be at the accommodation-house at the Collins Eiver, twelve miles from Happy Valley. E. G. Price.

Mr. H. A. Levestam, M.H.E., to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Sir,— Nelson, 7th May, 1884. I have been requested to communicate with you re the recent introduction of scabby sheep into this district from Marlborough. People here have spent large sums of money in cleaning their flocks, and after all their trouble and expense it appears that, owing to the carelessness or incompetence of some of the Government Inspectors, scabby sheep have been introduced here. An inquiry has been held by the department, but it it thought that a public inquiry before an impartial tribunal, say a Eesident Magistrate, would be more satisfactory. Trusting that you will give the matter your consideration, I have, &c, H. A. Levestam.

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to Mr. Levestam, M.H.E., Nelson. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 9th May, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, in which, at the request of some of the residents, you recommend that a public inquiry should be held respecting the recent introduction of scabby sheep into the Nelson District from Marlborough, and, in reply, to say that, as Inspector Hunt is being dismissed, there does not appear to be any need for holding a further inquiry. . I have, &c, Thomas Dick. H. A. Levestam, Esq., M.H.E., Nelson.

Mr. H. A. Levestam, M.H.E., to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Sir,— Nelson, 10th May, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, informing me that Inspector Hunt is being dismissed, and that there does not appear to be any need for holding a further inquiry. In reply, I beg to say that in my opinion there is every need for a full and searching inquiry into 'a matter of such grave importance, and involving such serious consequences, as the one under discussion. Although there is no doubt that Inspector Hunt has been rightly dismissed from the service, it is equally clear, from the evidence which has been and can be adduced, that the disease was, at the time of inspection at Marlborough, in such an advanced stage that it could and ought to have been detected by a competent and careful Inspector, and that the sheep consequently ought not to have been permitted to leave that district. Trusting that you will give the matter your further and serious consideration, I have, &c, H. A. Levestam.

Mr. H. A. Levestam, M.H.E., to Mr. B. P. Bayly, Superintendent Inspector, Wellington. Sir,— Wellington, 26th June, 1884. I shall be glad if you will obtain for me, from Mr. Inspector Price, a statement expressing the opinion he formed as to the age of scab on Archer's sheep when he examined them after they had been dipped, when seen by himself in company with Mr. Chief Inspector Bayly and Mr. Inspector Blundell. I have, &c, H. A. Levestam.

Mr. B. P. Bayly to Sheep Inspector Price, Nelson. (Memorandum.) Wellington, 28th June, 1884. A request has been made in re late Archer scab case to the effect that you supply a statement expressing the opinion you formed as to the age of the scab on Archer's sheep when you examined them (after they had been dipped) in company with Inspector Blundell and myself; and, with a view to assist you in doing so, I think it but right that you should be in possession of the evidence you gave at the inquiry and at Court, as follows : — At Inquiry. —" On the 20th March I further examined these sheep with Peter Archer, and found about forty sheep with the appearance of being infected; there were only five or six sheep