9
442
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former of the rule laid down by the Governor and the prospect of his own removal than in the action thus taken in the case.
of his co-valuator in 1875 - Sir Arthur Kennedy having left, it devolved upon the valuators for 1877 and in pursuance of the recently established system I retained the younger of the two valuators of 1876 viz: Mr. Barff and omitted Mr Gerrard whose tenure of the office had been over-long and who had been recommended by me to Sir Arthur Kennedy for a permanent increase of £100 per-
Deputy Registrar of Marriages wholly and solely because it was known that eventually he must be deprived of the annual office of valuator.
12.
I enclose for Your Lordship's information a list of the Valuators since 1863 which shows clearly enough that although no regular system had been established as now, there was no permanency whatsoever of office.
13.
I do not know that I have anything further to add. I think it is a pity that Mr. Gerrard should have troubled Your Lordship about this matter, and in my opinion it would have done him more credit had he appreciated the