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■their yearly salary; and they begged therefore respectfully to request that he, the Collector, wald he pleased to recommend their case to the consideration of the Officer Administering the Government in New Zealand. Viewing the case of your Memorialists as it stands in regard to the letter addressed to the Collector by the 1 idewaiters, and the reply of the former, and in the absence of any chargs or complaint against them of any nature, during the period of their employment in the Customs Department, 0 your Memorialists beg respectfully to urge that the course adopted by the Collector has inflicted on them a. serious injustice ; and the more especially so because their dismissal from the Customs Department was so instantaneous, and in the opinion of your Memorialists, to unjustifiable. Your Memorialists beg therefore respectfully to submit their case to the notice of your Excellency, fully aware that it will receive at your hands such a consideration as it merits. And your Memorialists as in dutj bound will ever pray, &c. ( HENRY F. BROOK, ) W. SCOTT, P. J. G. ENGLISH, V J. C. JAMES. "Wellington, 19th November, 1855. COPY or HIS EXCELLENCY'S liEPLY TO THE TIDEWAITERS' MEMORIAL. Government House, "Wellington, lltli November, 1855. Gentlemen, In reply to your Memorial, dated the 19 th instant, regarding your removal from the office of iidewaiters, lam directed by His Excellency to make the following observations. The Collector of Customs, with reference to the arrangement of the employment of the boat's .crew as tidewaiters, was authorized by Governor Grey "to appoint and remove such officers as the necessities of the service may from time to time require," reporting any changes for the information of the Government. His Excellency regrets the suddenness of your removal, for which your letter of the 19th September last, to the Collector of Customs, does not of itself afford sufficient cause ; but that officer was fully justified, after giving reasonable notice to persons employed, in making such changes with regard to the experimental arrangement rc fcrred to, as he might think beneficial to the public service. His Excellency does not think it advisable to reverse the decision made in this case, nor is it in his power to give you any compensation. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, Your most obedient, humble servant, (Signed) W. GISBOKNE, Eor the Colonial Secretary.