1.--8

16

—namely, "That the Clerks and other officers of the House of Bepresentatives should be appointed by the Executive on the recommendation of the Speaker, with the exception of the First ClerkAssistant, who, acting as the Clerk of Committees, should be similarly appointed on the recommendation of the Chairman of Committees." The course prescribed by that resolution has, it will be seen, since been followed in relation to the appointments made to the offices existent in 1862, and which have since continued to exist —namely, those of Clerk of the House and First and Second Clerk-Assistant. As regards offices since created—namely, those of Eecord Clerk, Interpreters, Hansard Eeporters, and Committee Reporters —the appointments have been made by the Speakers absolutely, it having evidently been held that the resolution of 1862 only applied to the offices then existent.

As regards the Serjeant-at-Arms, the appointments have since 1862 been made in the mode prescribed by the resolution, with one exception, in which case the Speaker made the appointment absolutely.

Correspondence referred to in above Memorandum. Sic, — Speaker's Rooms, 10th July, 1893. Herewith I have the honour to forward to you the undermentioned papers, viz. : — (A.) Memorandum from Mr. Kinsella (one of the Committee reporters), with minute thereon by Mr. Friend, to whom it is addressed. (B.) Letter to myself from Mr. Pharazyn, Chairman of the Library Committee, on the subject of the Library estimates. I need not say (as you are of course aware of the fact) that the omission of provision for the two reporters, and the alteration of the Library estimates, pointed out by Mr. Pharazyn, are not traceable to myself, nor consequent upon any recommendation of mine. But, as pointed out by Mr. Friend, there is not sufficient provision made in the estimates for the payment of the two reporters referred to, and I can now only suggest that this should be done by a vote on the Supplementary Estimates. As regards the Library staff, a like course will, I suppose, have to be taken. The reasons are so fully explained by Mr. Pharazyn that it is unnecessary for me to add anything to his memorandum, from which it appears the further sum required to enable engagements to bo met would be £150 in round figures —the exact difference between the proposed votes and last year's expenditure being £138 Is., i.e., not taking into account any provision for cataloguing. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier. Wμ. J. Stewaed.

Enclosure A. Memorandum for Mr. Friend, Clerk of the House of Representatives. James Lawbence Kinsella, one of the Committee Reporters of the House of Representatives, begs respectfully to bring under your notice the following facts : — In August, 1884, I was appointed by Sir Maurice O'Eorke, then Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of the Committee Reporters, at a salary of £150 per annum. Until the date of my appointment, I occupied the position of chief reporter to the New Zealand Herald, in Auckland, having held that situation for a period of twenty years, without intermission, at a salary of £250 per annum. At the time of my appointment no objection was made to Committee Reporters accepting other engagements. I, myself, suggested that there was some incompatibility between the duties of a Committee Reporter in the House of Representatives and those of a newspaper correspondent. I consequently relinquished my engagements with the New Zealand Herald during that session, and every session since, at a loss of between £60 and £70 per annum. I have received no notice of any intention to dispense with the services of the Committee Reporters of the House. I would respectfully call your attention to the fact that I have been diligent and zealous in the performance of my duties during the nine years I have held the position of Committee Reporter to the House of Representatives. I submit that the determination at which the Government has arrived involves serious injustice and cruel hardship to a person who has in no way earned exceptionally severe treatment. I therefore beg, through you, to submit to the Hon. the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the above-mentioned facts, in order that he may take such action as appears to him fitting. James Kinsella. Minute by Mr. Friend. For the Hon. the Speaker, House of Representatives. In submitting enclosed letter, I can only say that at present I know nothing of any such proposed change in the department. The usual provision for Select Committee reporters is certainly omitted from the present estimates, but I can scarcely conceive that the Government propose to remove two old permanent officers of this House, much at the service of honourable members of this House, without any communication to the Speaker of the House. It would also be rather scant courtesy to myself that I should receive no intimation that I was to be at once deprived during the present session of the services of two officers who have for years past been available for the work of the department. 1 may add that it is in Select Committees that their services are in constant requisition ; and it is only right that I should be at once placed in a position to inform the Chairmen of those Committees whether their services have been withdrawn by yourself or by order of the Government. Geobge Fbiend, sth July, 1893. Clerk, House of Representatives.