H.—2B

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

THE CASE OF W.B. EDWARDS (CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 10th September, 1891. on Motion of Mr. Fisher. No. 1. The Grown Solicitoe to the Undee-Seceetaey, Justice Department. Wellington, 12th June, 1891. Sic, — The Attorney-General v. W. B. Edwards. I have the honour to report that the whole proceedings in this matter, including the judgments of the Court of Appeal, are printed and ready for transmission to the Privy Council. I have also drafted full instructions to Messrs. Mackrell, Maton, and Godlee, so as to enable them to duly instruct counsel. I am informed by the Hon. the Attorney-General that he desires that Sir Horace Davey and Mr. Findlay should be retained to argue the case before the Privy Council, and I propose, unless otherwise advised, to request Messrs. Mackrell, Maton, and" Godlee to retain those gentlemen. In the meantime I await your further instructions. I have, &c, Hugh Gully, The Under-Secretary, Department of Justice, Wellington. Crown Solicitor.

No. 2. The Undeb-Seceetaky, Justice Department, to the Grown Solioitoe. Sic, — Department of Justice, Wellington, New Zealand, 19th June, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 2nd June instant, with reference to the case Attorney-General v. Edwards, and, in reply, am directed by the Minister of Justice to request you to kindly forward a copy of your letter instructing Messrs. Mackrell and Co., in order that the same may be filed in this office. I have, &c, C. J. A. Haselden, H. Gully, Esq., Crown Solicitor, Wellington. Under-Secretary.

No. 3. The Grown Solicitor to the Undbe-Sbceetaey, Justice Department. Wellington, 29th June, 1891. Sic, — Attorney-General v. Edwards. I forward you herewith copy of my draft instructions to Messrs. Mackrell and Co., as requested by you. I also forward copy letter written by me to the defendant's solicitor. I should have sent you copy of my letter to my London agents before, but I understood that there was to have been a Cabinet meeting to decide finally on certain matters in connection with proceeding with the appeal, and I awaited some definite instructions before actually lodging security, &c, and forwarding papers. As I understand from my interview with you on Saturday that no further instructions are considered necessary, I have the honour to request that you will cause to be forwarded to me the sum of £500 as security for the appeal, which will be at once lodged with the Registrar, who has intimated that he will be satisfied with that amount. As before intimated to you, the papers are ready, and I propose to lodge the security immediately on receipt from you, and to forward the above-mentioned instructions by the first outgoing mail. I have, &c, Hugh Gully, The Under-Secretary, Department of Justice, Wellington. Crown Solicitor.