A.—9

8

I regret that I have not succeeded in making the intention of the Government clear in the third paragraph of my letter of the 13th instant. Their desire is to transfer, as soon, but with as little inconvenience and friction, as possible, the administration hitherto conducted by the Provincial Executive to the several departments of the Government whose duty it will be in the future to undertake it. In order to effect this satisfactorily the Government rely in a great measure on your discretion, which they wish to leave as much as possible unfettered. ■ I have, &c, Chables C. Bowen, W. Eolleston, Esq., M.H.E., Christchurch. (in the absence of the Colonial Secretary).

No. 32. The Hon. J. A. Bonab, M.L.C, to the Hon. the Colonial Secbetabt. Sib, — Government Buildings, Hokitika, 26th January, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated 13th January, 1877, conveying to me the wishes of the Government as to the course they desire should be pursued by me in assisting to conduct the public business in this provincial district, and forwarding delegations and warrants similar to those formerly exercised by me prior to the close of 1876. 2. It gives me great pleasure to state that I entirely concur with the Government in the course proposed to be adopted, and I shall have much pleasure in acting as desired. 3. I observe that no fresh delegation of powers under the Gold Fields Acts has been forwarded. I presume it has been thought to be unnecessary to re-gazette them, as they were delegated to me personally, and that, therefore, I am right in continuing to exercise those powers pending further instructions. 4. I shall be glad to be informed whether any action taken by me under those powers, as regards granting mining leases, &c, requires to be gazetted in the New Zealand Gazette, or whether publication of the required notices in the local Gazette is sufficient. I have, &c, Jas. A. Bonab, Executive Officer for the Provincial District of Westland. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington.

No. 33, The Hon. the Colonial Secketary to the Hon. J. A. Bonais, M.L.C. Sib,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 10th February, 1877 I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, and to thank you for the readiness with which you have placed your services at the disposal of the Government. 2. You have rightly interpreted the view taken by the Government as regards the delegation of powers under the Gold Fields Act —namely, that those delegations, having been made to you personally, and not having been resigned by you, still continue in force. 3. With respect to the publication of notices requiring to be issued by you under the Gold Fields Acts, it will be sufficient if these are advertised in the newspaper appointed by the Governor to take the place of the Provincial Government Gazette. I have, &c, Chables C. Bowen, The Hon. J. A. Bonar, M.L.C, Hokitika. (in the absence of the Colonial Secretary).

No. 34. The Hon. the Colonial Secbetaey to Henby Bunny, Esq., M.H.E. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, "Wellington, 25th May, 1877. The time having arrived when, in the opinion of this Government, those gentlemen who have been good enough, as Executive Officers, to aid in carrying on the public business in the several provincial districts since the Abolition Act came into force, may be relieved, it is proposed at the earliest convenient time to advise His Excellency the Governor to withdraw the delegated powers in each case. In giving this intimation, I take occasion to convey to you the thanks of this Government for the services so rendered, as well as their grateful acknowledgment of the public spirit shown in your acceptance of a position involving so much labour and responsibility; and I venture to express their hope that they may still be permitted upon occasions to have recourse to you for advice or information on matters of local concern. I have to request that you will name a day in the next month, June, when it will be convenient for you to transfer the public records of the late Provincial Government of Wellington to an officer •who will be appointed to receive them. I have, &c., Henry Bunny, Esq., M.H.E., Executive Officer, Wellington. Daniel Pollen. Similar letters to P. A. Carrington, Esq., M.H.E.; Oswald Curtis, Esq., M.H.E.; A. P. Seymour, Esq., M.H.E.; W. Eolleston, Esq., M.H.E.; the Hon. J. A. Bonar, M.L.C.