47

D.—s

On my arrival in the Colony, I telegraphed to the Hon. the Minister of Customs such was the case, and offered to come to Wellington if necessary. However, he did not think it was. I therefore consider myself entitled to claim up to the date of my arrival here, when I could resume my own business. Trusting that you will give the above statement your favourable consideration, I remain, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. James Seaton.

No. 134. Ageeement by Mr. J. Seaton. I heeebt agree to accept as final the decision of A. E. C. Strode, Esq, E.M, and I. N. Watt, Esq, E.M, whether I have or have not any cl.aim against the General Government in connection with my late visit to Great Brit.am ; and if the decision of Messrs. Strode and Watt be that I have a claim, I will accept, as full satisfaction and discharge thereof, such sum as they may certify I am entitled to receive. Dunedin, 16th December, 1873. James Seaton.

No. 135. The Hon. J. Vogel to Messrs. Stbode and Watt. Gentlemen, — Dunedin, 16th December, 1873. I have to ask that you will be so good as to inquire and report whether Mr. James Seaton has any claim against the General Government in connection with his late visit to Great Britain ; and should you decide that he has any claim, I shall be glad if you will certify the amount to which you consider he is entitled. I have, &c, A. E. C. Strode, Esq., E.M. Julius Vogel. I. N. Watt, Esq, E.M.

No. 136. The Hon. J. Vogel to Messrs. Stbode and Watt. Gentlemen, — General Government Offices, Dunedin, 30th December, 1873. Eeferring to my letter of the 16th instant, and to the inquiry you have undertaken to make, whether or not Mr. Seaton has any claim against the General Government in connection with his fate visit to Great Britain, I have now the honor to forward, for your information, a copy of correspondence* which I have received from the Under Secretary for Immigration. If you require further information on the subject, or if you should think that any statement made by Mr. Seaton calls for explanation or comment, I shall be glad if you will afford the Department the necessary opportunity. If you consider it requisite that the Government should be represented by counsel, instructions shall, immediately on your communicating with the Department, be given to some gentlemen to attend during the inquiry. I have, &c, A. B. C. Strode, Esq., E.M. Julius Vogel. I. N. Watt, Esq., E.M.

No. 137. Messrs. Strode and Watt to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sic,— Dunedin, 15th May, 1874. EespectingMr. Seaton's claim against the General Government for £90 7s. for three months and two days' salary, at £350 per annum, submitted to us, we have the honor to report that, after taking the evidence of Mr. Seaton and Mr. Macandrew, and carefully reading the correspondence referred to us by yourself and him, we have come to the conclusion that strictly he has no claim upon the Government, but the circumstances of his appointment, service, and release therefrom were all peculiar, and apparently unfortunate for him. We would therefore recommend that, in full satisfaction of all demands, he should be paid the sum of £50. We have, &c, A. Chetham Stbode, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration. ■ I. Newton Watt.

No. 138. The Undee Secbetaet for Immigeation to Mr. A. E. C. Stbode. Sic — I have the honor, by direction ofthe Hon. the Minister for Immigration, to acknowledge the receipt of the report, signed by yourself and Mr. Watt, with reference to a claim of Mr. Seaton upon the Government, which was submitted to you for arbitration. *D. 1,1872, pp. 6, 13, 41; D. la, 1872, p. 23; D. 1, 1873, pp. 81, 90, 93, 108 ; D. 3, 1874, p. 1.