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Sess. 11.—1891. NEW ZEALAND.

APPOINTMENTS AND RETIREMENTS IN LANDS DEPARTMENT, SOUTHLAND.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 17th June, 1891. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House all correspondence, letters, papers, &c, in connection with the appointment of Ranger Campbell for Southland; the retirement of Mr. Spence, the Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Lands for Southland ; and, also, Mr. Royds, the Receiver of Land Revenue for the same district."—(Mr. Valentine.)

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC., RELATING TO APPOINTMENT OP RANGER CAMPBELL. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill. Mr. Duncan Campbell has been appointed Ranger, vice Mussen transferred, and has been asked to report himself to you on Monday. A. Barron.

Duncan Campbell, Invercargill. You have been appointed Ranger of Crown Lands. Please report yourself to the Commissioner of Crown Lands on Monday. 16th May, 1891. A. Barron.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Invercargill. I forward herewith the warrant appointing Mr. Duncan Campbell to be a Ranger of Crown Lands for the Southland District. I also enclose an official ticket for the use of Mr. Campbell over the Southland railways. The appointment dates from to-day, if Mr. Campbell reports himself to you as directed by telegraph on the 16th instant. The salary will be £250 per annum. 18th May, 1891. A. Barron.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO RETIREMENT OP MR. SPENCE. Sir,— 14th April, 1891. The Hon. the Minister of Lands has decided that in the best interests of the colony certain changes in the Lands and Survey Departments are to take place. As a consequence of this it will become necessary for you to remove from Southland and take up the duties of Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands of Westland. The Minister directs that this change is to take place as soon as possible. You will therefore be good enough to make arrangements to leave everything in such a condition that your successor can take it up readily. Please report to me as soon as possible the date at which you will be able to leave. The reasonable expense of moving yourself and family will be defrayed by the Government. I have, &c, S. Percy Smith, 14th April, 1891. Surveyor-General and Secretary of Crown Lands.

S. Percy Smith, Esq., Surveyor-General, Wellington. Woodlands. Re your letter of the 14th: Kindly inform the Hon. the Minister of Lands that I would like to retire on compensation instead of removing to Westland. For years back my salary has been heavily reduced, until, owing to my large family and other claims on me, I am unable to make ends meet. Removal to Westland would ruin me. As I have been twenty-five years in the service, and have done faithful and responsible work—-having had no holiday meanwhile—l trust that the Minister will allow me at least a six months' holiday on retiring. J. Spence, Chief Surveyor.

The Hon. the Minister of Lands. Mr. Spence asks that he may retire on compensation rather than be removed to Westland, and that he may have six months' leave. Mr. Spence would be entitled to compensation for his services since abolition. This would amount to about £540—that is, for his General Government service; but he seems to me to ask that his provincial service be included. This would mean about £955 for