3

H.—4a

Under such circumstances it is obvious that the officer to be appointed should be a man of such education and ability, as well as practical experience, as would give weight and authority to his recommendations. It must be expressly understood that his services will be made generally available in connection with the department to which he will be attached, for purposes of correspondence with gaolers from head-quarters where he may be stationed. Subject to such modifications in regard to details as may be found necessary or advisable, the engagement will embrace such terms as the following: — (I) The Inspector will receive a salary not exceeding £600 per annum, to commence from the date of his leaving this country direct for tho colony The usual travelling allowances will be paid him while engaged in the business of the Government. (2.) The cost of his passage, and that of his family (not exceeding six adults in all), from Loudon to New Zealand, will be paid by the Government. (3 ) The Inspector will not be entitled to any p<ayment for extra services. In case any such payment is made it will be considered as a gratuity only (4.) The Inspector will be required, within seven days after the expiration of each calendar month, to transmit to the Government a statement of all his claims and demands for travelling and other expenses, and, if such claim is not furnished, or any item omitted, he will lose all claim in respect of the same. (5.) The engagement will be terminable at the expiration of three years from the time of the commencement of the said salary, or at any time afterwards, by either side giving six months' previous notice in writing. (6.) In case the engagement is determined at or before the expiration of the said period of three years (other than and except as mentioned in clause 8), th.e passage-money of the Inspector will be paid back to England, in the event of his forthwith leaviug the colony for England. (7 ) The engagement shall cease and determine if the Inspector shall, iu the opinion of the Government, become incapacitated for the performance of his duties on account of illness or accident. (8.) If the Inspector shall at any time neglect or refuse to perform, abide by, or comply with the terms of his engagement, or any of the duties required of him, or any of the orders of the Government, the Government may, by notice in writing, immediately determine and put an end to tho engagement. (9.) The other stipulations usually included in such engagements. 7 Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 9th March, 1880.

No. 3. The Agent-General to the Hon. tho Colonial Secretary (No. 477 ) Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 15th June, 1880. Referring to my letter, No. 198, of the 18th March last, respecting the appointment of an Inspector of Prisons in New Zealand, I have the honor to report that, in reply to the advertisement, copy of which I sent you in the above-numbered letter, I received a large number of applications for the forms and statement specifying the qualifications required, &c, which resulted in my receiving completed applications from thirty-seven gentlemen who offered themselves as candidates for the appointment. After carefully examining these applications, I selected seven with whom 1 thought it desirable to have personal interviews Only one of them, however, after I had conferred with Sir Edmund Du Cane, appeared to possess those qualifications which, from what I understood to be the duties of the office, would render them altogether fit for so important an appointment. The one who would, I believe, have, fully met your requirements, was, unfortunately, not in a strong state of health, and, although he furnished me with a medical certificate to the effect that he was quite equal to the duties which he would have to perform, I thought it right to obtain an additional opinion from another eminent medical gentleman, and I regret to say that the result of this further examination was not sufficiently favourable to justify my offering him the appointment. On further conference with Sir Edmund Du Cane, I have come to the opinion, in which Sir Edmund fully concurs, that the conditions under which it is stated the office is to be held are not sufficiently advantageous to induce men possessing the necessary qualifications to seek the appointment. The provision as to the engagement being terminable at six months' notice after three years' service appears to denote that the office is not regarded as likely to be a permanent one; and the amount of the salary, described as "not to exceed £600," produces the impression that there is no prospect of any increase. Under these circumstances, I have this day sent a telegram to the Hon. the Premier, copy of which I herewith enclose, and shall await a reply to the same before taking any further steps in the matter. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 3. From Vogel to Premier. (Telegram.) 15th June, 1880. _ Prisons. Cannot get suitable Inspector present terms. Instead three years, suggest make appointment permanent, subject Civil Service Regulations. May I use discretion ?