H.—2B.

No. 5. The Secretary, Taranaki District Law Society, to the Minister of Justice. Sir,— New Plymouth, 13th July, 1891. I am directed by the Council of the Taranaki District Law Society to forward you a copy of the following resolution passed at a meeting held to-day : — " That the appointment of Mr. Justice Edwards having been made nearly eighteen months ago, and being valid according to the judgment of the Court of Appeal, and his Honour having in the interval discharged his duties as a Judge to the satisfaction of the profession and the public, and there being no objection on the score of character or capacity, this Council ventures respectfully to urge upon the Government the advisability of discontinuing further proceedings, and of passing an Act providing for his salary, as in the opinion of this Council the present deadlock is injurious to the prestige and authority of the Supreme Court." I have, &c, Clement W. Govett, Honorary Secretary, Taranaki District Law Society. The Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington.

No. 6. The Secretary, Wellington District Law Society, to the Minister of Justice. Supreme Court Library, Wellington, 15th July, 1891. Dear Sir, — Ec Mr. Justice Edwards. I have the honour to inform you that, at a meeting of the Council of the Wellington District Law Society held last evening, the following resolution was passed respecting the above matter —namely : — I.' " That this Council, having read the resolution of the Canterbury Law Society with reference to Mr. Justice Edwards, entirely agree with its terms and join in the respectful request to the Government that no further proceedings in the appeal to the Privy Council should be taken." 2. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Justice. I have, &c, P. Harrison, Secretary, Wellington District Law Society. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Minister of Justice.

No. 7. The Secretary, Hawke's Bay Law Society, to the Minister of Justice. Sir,— Napier, 16th July, 1891. I am directed by the Council of the Law Society for the District of Hawke's Bay to enclose a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting of the Council held here this day, in reference to Mr. Justice Edwards, as follows :— " That the appointment of Mr. Justice Edwards having been made nearly eighteen months ago, and being valid according to the judgment of the Court of Appeal, and his Honour having in the interval discharged his duties as a Judge to the satisfaction of the profession and the public, and there being no objection on the score of character or capacity, this Council ventures respectfully to urge upon the Government the advisability of discontinuing further proceedings, and of passing an Act providing for his salary, as in the opinion of this Council the present deadlock is injurious to the prestige and authority of the Supreme Court." I remain, &c, A. Stubbs, The Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington. Secretary, Hawke's Bay Law Society.

No. 8. The Secretary, Westland Law Society, to the Minister of Justice. Sir,— Hokitika, 28th July, 1891. I am instructed by the Council of the Westland Law Society to inform you that a resolution in the words hereunder written was passed at a special meeting of the Council held on Monday last. I am, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington. James A. Murdoch, Secretary. "That the appointment of Mr. Justice Edwards having been made nearly eighteen months ago, and being valid according to the judgment of the Court of Appeal, and his Honour having in the interval discharged his duties as a Judge to the satisfaction of the profession and the public, and there being no objection on the score of character or capacity, this Council ventures respectfully to urge upon the Government the advisability of discontinuing further proceedings, and of passing an Act providing for his salary, as in the opinion of this Council the present deadlock is. injurious to the prestige and authority of the Supreme Court."

3