A.—9.

No. 24. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey to Eeadee Wood, Esq., M.H.E. (Telegram.) Wellington, 30th December, 1876. The Governor has accepted your resignation of all offices in connection with the General or late Auckland Provincial Government, together with all profits and advantages thereof. Eeader AVood, Esq., M.H.E., Auckland. Chaeles C. Bowen.

No. 25. Heney Bunny, Esq., M.H.E., to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Provincial Buildings, Wellington, 30th December, 1876. I have the honor to refer to your letter of the Ist ultimo, transmitting warrants under the hand of His Excellency the Governor, appointing me, " within the Provincial District of Wellington, to do all acts, and to exercise all the powers which might be done or exercised by the Superintendent, Provincial Secretary, Provincial Treasurer, or other officer, in the Province of Wellington, prior to Abolition." And also empowering me to sign all instruments, warrants, &c, necessary to carry out the provisions of the Provincial Appropriations Extension Act. I have now further to draw your attention to the 36th clause of " The Financial Arrangements Act, 1876," which provides that " no person who may be a member of the Legislative Council or House of Eepresentatives, and whose services may be retained under the preceding section, shall, in consequence of such retention of services, be subject to any liability, penalty, or disqualification under " The Disqualification Act, 1870," or any Act repealing or amending the same : Provided that every such person shall resign such office, place, or employment on or before the 31st day of December next." I have, therefore, now the honor to tender to His Excellency the Governor my resignation of the appointment and powers vested in me by the warrants referred to in the first paragraph of this letter, for His Excellency's acceptance. In conclusion, allow me to say that I shall be glad to give the Government every assistance in my power in the administration of the new state of affairs in this provincial district. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Heney Bunny.

No. 26. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaby to Heney Bunny, Esq., M.H.E. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 30th December, 1876. In reply to your letter of this day's date, I have the honor to inform you that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to accept your resignation of the offices, powers, and duties conferred upon you by warrants under His Excelleucy's hand on the Ist November last. I have further to inform you that the Government accept, with thanks, the offer, contained in the same letter, of your continued assistance in the administration of the new state of affairs in this provincial district. I have, &c, Chables C. Bowen, Henry Bunny, Esq., M.H.E., Wellington. (in the absence of the Colonial Secretary).

No. 27. The Hon. the Pbemieb to W. Eolleston, Esq., M.H.E. Sic, — Government Offices, Wellington, Bth January, 1877. I have already informed you by telegraph that His Excellency the Governor has accepted your resignation of the offices and powers conferred on you by warrants dated Ist November. 2. I beg now to tender to you the thanks of the Government for your energetic and zealous services in au onerous and responsible position, which could only have been accepted under a strong sense of public duty. 3. I have further to thank you for your offer to assist gratuitously in completing the transfer of provincial duties to departments of the colonial Civil Service; and to .say that the Government will be glad to receive your advice and practical co-operation in securing the effective working of the new machinery. 4. Tour authority to frank letters and telegrams on public service will be continued, and any necessary expenses incurred by you will be repaid by the Treasury. I have, &c, W. Eolleston, Esq., M.H.E., Christchurch. H. A. Atkinson. Similar letters to Henry Bunny, Esq., M.H.E.; P. A. Carrington, Esq., M.H.E.; Eeader Wood, Esq., M.H.E.; A. P. Seymour, Esq., M.H.E.; Oswald Curtis, Esq., M.H.E.; and the Hon. J. A. Bonar, M.L.C.

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