37

D.—2

Enclosure 4 in No. 23. Mr. G. Andrew to the Agent-General. New Zealand Agency, 3, Hope Street, Edinburgh, Sib,— 9th February, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday's date confirming (subject to the approval of the New Zealand Government) —with the exception therein mentioned— the arrangement which I made with you personally when in London on 6th instant for the future conduct of this agency. I would, however, suggest for your consideration that the sum to be paid to me annually should be fixed at £300, instead of the odd sum of £286. Ido not doubt that the new arrangement will work satisfactorily, and I shall expect Mr. Ottywell here by the Ist of March. I have, &c, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., George Andrew. Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

Enclosure 5 in No. 23. The Agent-General to Mr. G. Andrew. Sir, —■ 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 10th February, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 9th instant, in reply to mine of Bth. With regard to the sum to be paid to you annually, I think you had better consider that we fixed the amount at our interview, and that it had better remain as then determined. I may add that I have received instructions from the Government to make all practicable reductions. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, George Andrew, Esq. Agent-General.

Enclosure 6 in No. 23. The Agent-General to Mr. A. O. Ottywell. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir— 9th February, 1877. I have the honor to inform you that I have considered it expedient to make certain alterations in the constitution of the agency for New Zealand in Scotland. Under the altered system, Mr. George Andrew, who has hitherto acted as Secretary, and latterly as Agent, will assume the office of Commissioner, or adviser to the agency ; and I have pleasure in offering you the appointment of Secretary to the agency. The salary will be four hundred pounds (£400) annually, to commence on the Ist March proximo, on which date it is my desire that you commence your duties as Secretary. It is understood that, as Commissioner, Mr. Andrew will give you the benefit of his aid, counsel, and influence in any matters on which it may be found necessary to consult him. The offices of the agency are at No. 3, Hope Street, Edinburgh. The rent of the two rooms appropriated to the purpose of the New Zealand Agency—which are on the first floor of the house —is to be £50 per annum, payable half-yearly to Mr. Andrew, the lessee of the entire building. You will, upon your occupancy of the rooms, arrange to have a" gas meter fixed, in order that the Bupply of gas to the agency may be separately registered and charged for. A clerk will be engaged at a salary of £90 per annum to assist you in the work of the agency. I have arranged with Mr. Andrew that the junior clerk or messenger now employed in the offices of the agency shall be transferred to our service on the Ist March. Your correspondence will be direct with this office, but, as before stated, you will confer with Mr. Andrew whenever the necessity to do so may arise. As you may have frequent occasion to travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow, you are at liberty to purchase an annual or season ticket on one of the railway lines connecting those cities. You will be allowed the sum of £50 in aid of the expense of your removal from London to Edinburgh. Ido not doubt that this arrangement will be agreeable to the Government. As, however, in some respects it may be held to go beyond the general powers which the Government have given to me to re-organize the agencies, I must stipulate that the arrangement is to be subject to the approval of the Government so far as its continuation is concerned after advice of its nature has reached the colony. I have, &c., Julius Vogel, Albert 0. Ottywell, Esq. Agent-General.

Enclosure 7 in No. 23. The Agent-Genebal to Mr. Auld. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 7th February, 1877. I have the honor to state to you that the provincial system in New Zealand having been abolished, there is no longer need for your continuing to act in the capacity of Provincial Agent. I shall be glad to forward to the colony any claim you may consider that you have for compensation on account of the abolishment of your office. It will probably be found that you come under the provisions for compensation for which the Abolition Act provides. I take the opportunity of thanking you for the services you have hitherto rendered, and of expressing regret that the altered condition of affairs makes it unnecessary to continue those services. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, — Auld, Esq., Edinburgh. Agent-General.