D.—Xo. 1.

I would observe that your Honor's letter purports to be in reply to mine of the 15th instant. I find the copy of my letter is dated the 14th instant, on which day I delivered the original to you in your office early in the morning. I have, &c, Chaeles Knight, His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. Auditor of Public Accounts.

No. 20. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. E. W. Staffoed to the Supeeinte:n-dent, Otago. (No. 191.) Sic,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 16th April, 1867. The delegation to the late Superintendent of Otago of the powers of His Excellency the Governor under " The Gold Fields Act, 1866," having now lapsed, the Government has appointed Mr. J. B. Bradshaw to be its Agent at the Gold Fields, in the Province of Otago. Assuming that the late Superintendent has left in charge of the Provincial Government all official documents, maps, &c, connected with the administration of the Gold Fields, I shall feel obliged by your causing them to be transferred to the charge of Mr. Bradshaw, who is duly authorized to receive them. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. E. W. Staffoed.

No. 21. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. E. W. Staffoed to the Supeeintendent, Otago. (No. 190) Sic, Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 16th April, 1867. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter No. 7282-2, of the 4th instant, transmitting a copy of a Memorandum from the Provincial Secretary of Otago, on the subject of the Auditor-General having obtained certain information respecting the collection of Gold Fields Eevenue direct from Mr. Pyke, the Gold Fields Secretary. In reply I have to state that the Auditor had received general instructions to inquire and report as to the collection of Gold Fields Revenue. The Provincial Secretary appears to have overlooked the fact, that since the 27th February last (the date on which the delegation to the late Superintendent lapsed), the administration of the Gold Fields in the Province of Otago, remains in His Excellency the Governor solely, and that consequently the Provincial Government has no power to give instructions with respect to the collection and management of Gold Field Revenues, or on any other questions pertaining to the administration of the Gold Fields. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. E. W. Staffoed.

No. 22. Copy of a Letter from the Supebintendent, Otago, to the Hon. E. W. Staffobd. (7386-4) Sib,— Superintendent's Office, Otago, 20th April, 1867. I am in receipt of your letter of date as per margin, intimating that the delegation to the late Superintendent of Otago of the powers of His Excellency the Governor, under " The Gold Fields Act, I860," having lapsed, the Governor has appointed Mr. J. B. Bradshaw to be its agent at the Gold Fields, in the Province of Otago, and requesting that all official documents, maps, &c, connected with the administration of the Gold Fields, left by the late Superintendent in charge of the Provincial Government, should be transferred to the charge of Mr. Bradshaw, who is duly authorized to receive them. In reply, I have the honor to state that I shall bring the matter in question under the consideration of my Responsible Advisers at the earliest possible date. I have, Ac, James Macandeew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. Superintendent.

April 16,1867.

No. 23. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. B. Beadshaw to the Hon. E. W. Staffobd. Sic, — Office of the General Government Agency, Dunedin, 22nd April, 1867. I have the honor to inform you, that on Saturday last, the day after my arrival, I called upon His Honor the Superintendent of the Province of Otago, and. requested him to transfer to me all papers, maps, &c, connected with the administration of the Gold Fields, left in his charge by His Excellency's late delegate, Mr. Thomas Dick. His Honor's reply was that he would give me an immediate answer after having consulted his Executive. I have up to the present moment received no direct answer. On Saturday evening, however, I received a letter from His Honor (7386), copy of which I now enclose. I also enclose a copy of a letter I sent this day in reply. I do not intend to enter into a controversy with His Honor the Superintendent, and shall confine myself to the simple request of an answer to your letter of the 16th instant. I have, &c, J. B. Beadshaw, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. General Government Agent.

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CASE OP MR. MACANDREW.