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H.—2B,

No. 10. The Hon. W. H. Eetnolds to the Chaibman, County Council, Westland. (No. 367.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 19th June, 1873. Adverting to my letter No. 302, of the 9th of May last, on the subject of certain salaries hitherto paid by the county, for which you wish the General Government to bring down a vote, I have the honor to inform you that, after careful consideration, the Government have decided not to place these salaries on the estimates. I have, Ac, The Chairman of the County Council, W. H. Eetnolds. Westland.

No. 11. The Chaibman, County Council, Westland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sib, — County Chairman's Office, Hokitika,'26th June, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 367, 19th June, 1873, on the subject of certain salaries which have hitherto been paid by the county, stating that the Government have decided not to place them on the estimates. In reply, I would beg to inform you that the county is unable to make provision for the Inspector of Weights and Measures and the Cattle Inspector. I would point out that all fees collected by those officers are paid into the Public Account, and that the Acts under which they are appointed provide for their salaries to be paid out of moneys appropriated by the General Assembly. I have, &c, H. L. Eobinson, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Chairman, County Council.

No. 12. The Chaibman, County Council, Westland, to the Hon. the Ministeb of Justice. (Telegram.) Hokitika, 30th August, 1873. County Council refuse make provision for Cattle Inspector, whose salary under clause 7 " Diseased Cattle Act, 1871," should be voted by Assembly. Local Cattle Board recommend that salary of £60 per annum be paid this officer, which hope you will provide. H. L. Eobinson, County Chairman. To the Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellinton.

No. 13. His Honor the Stjpebintendent, Westland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Hokitika, 30th March, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of a resolution of the Provincial Council, to the effect that great injustice is being done to Westland in consequence of the salaries of the Eesident Magistrates in this province being paid by the Provincial Government. I think it is hardly necessary for me to draw your attention to the fact, that although the officers who act as Eesident Magistrates act also as Wardens, by far the greater amount of revenue is derived from the former Court, and is wholly paid into the Public Account, while the salary of these officers has to be paid by the province, with the exception of that of Mr. FitzGerald, at Hokitika. In looking over the returns for the past six months, I find that in the Eesident Magistrate's Court in the Grey District, seven hundred and twenty cases were heard, as against twenty in the Warden's Court. I trust, therefore, that at the approaching session of the General Assembly the salaries of these officers may be placed on the General Government estimates. I have, &c, Jas. Bonae, To the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 13. Extract from the Proceedings of the Provincial Council. Monday, 2nd March, 1874. " Resolved, —That His Honor the Superintendent urge upon the General Government the injustice of the salaries of the Eesident Magistrates in Westland being paid by the Provincial Government, and that His Honor request the General Government to make provision for the payment of such salaries." On the motion of Mr. Guinness.