A.—s:

1885. NEW ZEALAND.

SIR F. DILLON BELL AND THE AGENTGENERALSHIP. [In Continuation of A.-6, Session II., 1884.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Peemiee to the Agent-Geneal. Sie, — Government Offices, Wellington, 10th August, 1884. I desire, before quitting office, to compliment you upon the earnest and efficient manner in which you have discharged the duties of the Agent-Generalship. 2. Those duties have been more than ordinarily numerous and important, apart from the routine of your department; but, whether as regards loan negotiations, inscription of stock, the confederation and annexation question, or the very important branch of the latter relating to French criminals, you have shown a readiness and a command of the subjects which have been a material assistance to the Ministry, and of the greatest advantage to the colony. 3. I have much pleasure in thus performing what is, indeed, an incumbent duty, and leaving upon record the expression of my opinion that, as Agent-General for the colony, you have deserved the best thanks of the Government and people of New Zealand ; and of my gratification at having been able, so far as the retiring Ministry have had it in their power, to secure that you shall continue to hold the office until the end of 1886. I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., &c, London. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 2. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemieb. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 10th October, 1884. I received in due course the letter which the late Prime Minister did me the honour to address to me on the 10th August, before relinquishing office, in which he was pleased to speak in too favourable terms of such humble services as I have been able to render to the colony as AgentGeneral. I trust you will permit me to ask the favour of your conveying to Major Atkinson the deep sense I entertain of the generosity which prompted his letter ; and also of your allowing this my grateful acknowledgment of it to be recorded in your office. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. Major Atkinson. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 10th October, 1884. I am unable to express to you as I should wish the feeling with which I received the letter which you did me the honour to address to me on the 10th August; but I take the liberty of enclosing you a copy of one I am sending to the present Prime Minister, wherein I have asked him to let my acknowledgment of your generosity be kept among the records of the colony. It will ever be a cherished remembrance with me that throughout my service under the three Governments of Sir John Hall, Sir Frederick Whitaker, and yourself, I was honoured by their official confidence and support. But for their personal courtesy and consideration, which lightened every task, and would only place a generous interpretation on what I did, I really do not know in what words to say how grateful I have been and am. I have, &c, The Hon. Major Atkinson, Wellington. F. D. Bell. I—A. 5.