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1875. « NEW ZEALAND.

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

No. 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 30.) Sir, — Downing Street, 18th June, 1874. With reference to your Despatch No. 5, of January 19, and to my reply No. 25, of June 2, I transmit to you further copies of Eorest Eegulations in Germany, comprising the regulations of Bavaria, Wurtemberg, and Baden, together with a summary of those of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, which have been received through the Eoreign Office from the British Charge d'Affaires at Berlin. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart.

No. 2. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 33.) Sir, — Downing Street, 24th Jnne, 1874. With reference to your Despatch No. 5, of January 19th, I transmit to you the accompanying series of works on the management of forests in Erance, which the British Ambassador at Paris has received from the Erench Minister for Eoreign Affairs, and which His Excellency trusts will be found to contain the information required by the Government of New Zealand. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. I—A. 2.

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No. 3. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. . (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 25th June, 1874. I have the honor to transmit to you, for your information and for distribution, two copies of the transactions of an International Congress, which was held in London in 1872, on the subject of prison discipline and reformatory treatment. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 4. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 34.) Sir, — Downing Street, 2nd July, 1874. With reference to your Despatch No. 5, of January 19th, I transmit to you copies of the Eorest Begulations in force in Hesse, the Grand Duchy of Saxony, Brunswick, and in Alsace-Lorraine, which have been received through the Eoreign Office from the German Government. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart.

No. 5. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 35.) Sir, — Downing Street, 9th July, 1874. I have to request that you will inform Mr. Donald McLean that Her Majesty has been pleased, on my recommendation, to give directions for his promotion to the dignity of a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart.

No. 6. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 37.) Sir,— Downing Street, 29th July, 1874. With reference to your Despatch No. 5, of the 19th January, I transmit to you, for communication to your Ministers, copies of two despatches from the British Minister at the Hague, forwarding such information as he has been able to obtain with regard to the growth, manufacture, and sale of tobacco in Java. Before authorizing the purchase of the books referred to in the despatches, I consulted the Agent-General for New Zealand on the subject, and I shall now cause an application to be made to him for the payment of the expense, £3 10s., incurred in procuring these works for your Government. I have, &c, v CAENAEVON. Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. * Deposited in the General Assembly Library.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 6. Sir E. Haeeis to Lord Deeby. (No. 59.) My Loed,— The Hague, 7th May, 1874. "With reference to your Lordship's Despatch No. 22, of the 10th ultimo, requesting me to endeavour to procure and forward to your Lordship, for the use of the Government of New Zealand, copies of the regulations in force in Java respecting the growth, manufacture, and sale of tobacco, together with any reliable accounts of the system of the culture of tobacco practised in that island, I have the honor to state that, having addressed myself to the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs on these subjects, he has replied to my inquiries by a note, of which I have the honor to enclose a copy herewith. As your Lordship will perceive, he states that, since the year 1867, the culture of tobacco has been entirely unrestricted, so far as the Government is concerned; that, previous to that year, this cultivation was in the hands of the Government, whilst the manufacture and sale was carried out by private individuals under contract with the Government, and he refers to a document in which a summary of the regulations in force previous to 1867 is to be found. As regards the system of culture of tobacco, Baron Gericke mentions four different works in the Dutch language (some published in the Dutch East Indies), which contain special information on this subject. Should your Lordship desire me to purchase and forward to the Foreign Office such of the documents and works in question as are to be had in Holland, and will be so good as to instruct me to that effect, I will at once take steps for carrying out your Lordship's wishes. I have, &c, The Earl of Derby, &c. E. A. J. Haeeis. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 6. Baron Geeicke to Sir E. Haeeis. Monsieue le Vice-Amieal, — La Haye, le 5 Mai, 1874. En reponse a la lettre que vous avez bien voulu m'adresser en date dv 21 Avril dernier, j'ai l'honneur de porter a, votre connaissance que depuis lan 1867 la culture dv tabac a l'ile de Java se pratique sans l'intervention dv Gouvernement aussi ny a-t-il actuellement dans les Indes Neerlandaises pas de dispositions en rigueur, concernant la culture, la preparation, et la vente dv tabac. Jadis depuis 1836, jusqu'a 1866-7 y compris, le tabac ctait aussi cultive a l'ile de Java par les soins dv Gouvernement. Le produit ctait travaille par dcs entrepreneurs particuliers, gui avaient dcs relations contractuelles avec le Gouvernement. Un resume dv cours de ces contrats se trouve dans I'expose dcs motifs dv projet de loi arretant les bases dcs entreprises agricoles et industrielles aux Indes Neerlandaises, chapitre IV., paragraphe 3 (pieces imprimees de la 2 e Chambre dcs Etats Generaux, session 1865-1866, No. 55, No. 3). II existe aussi une re-impression dcs pieces concernant cc projet de loi intitulee " Handelingen van de Beysring in der Staten General over net ontwerp ; " van wet tot vastelling der grondslagen waarop ondernemingen van Landbouw en Nijverheid in " Nederlandsch Inde Hunnen worden geristigd, te's Gravenhage, ter Algemeine Landsdrukkerij, "1866." En outre le rapport annuel sur la situation dcs colonies contient dcs donnees officielles sur la culture dv tabac aux Indes Neerlandaises. De plus ample particularity sur la culture dv tabac a lisle de Java se trouve dans les ouvrages suivantes : — " Aardryks kindig en statistich Woordenbok van Nederlandsche Indie " (voir le mot Tabak). " Handbook voor den Landbouw in Nederlandsch Oost Indie, door W. L. de Sturler Leiden big " A. W. Sythoff, 1865," pages 493-509. " De tabac Escultuur op Java Handleiding voor net planten bereiden, ver pakhen er van Java tabak, intgegeven door Gebr: Grinberg und Co. te Soerabaya." " Tijdschrift voor Nijverheid en Landbouw in Nederlandsch Indie," tome X., 1864, page 373, et suiv.; et tome XII., 1868, page 39, et suiv. Esperant avoir satisfait par les renseignements gui precedent an desir de votre Gouvernement, Je saisis, &c, Sir Edward Harris. L. Geeicee.

Enclosure 2 in No. 6. Sir E. Harris to Lord Derby. (No. 91.) My Lord,— The Hague, 22nd July, 1874. In accordance with the instructions contained in your Lordship's despatch No. 41, of the 9th instant, I have the honor to transmit herewith to your Lordship copies of the four works mentioned in Baron G-ericke's note of the sth of May last, copy of which was enclosed in my Despatch No. 59, of the 7th of the same month, on the subject of the culture of tobacco in Java, with the exception of Vol. XIII. of the fourth work, namely, " Tijdschrift voor Nijverheid en Landbouw in Nederlandsch Indie," which is not to be obtained in this country. The expense incurred in purchasing these works is 39 fl. 50 cts., or rather less than £3 10s., sterling. I have, &c, The Earl of Derby, &c. E. A. J. Haeeis.

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No. 7. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 38.) Sir,— Downing Street, 30th July, 1874. I have received and read with satisfaction your Despatch No. 32, of the Bth of June, giving an account of a visit which you have recently made to some of the most important Native districts in the North Island of New Zealand. I am glad to learn that you have observed indications on the part of the Hauhau Natives to put an end to their estrangement from the Government. I have, &c. Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. CAENAEVON.

No. 8. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 6th August, 1874. I ..transmit to you a copy of an Act which has recently been passed by the Governor-General of India in Council, entitled "An Act to control Eecruiting in British India for the Service of Eoreign States." It is very desirable that in the different colonies the Governor should possess similar powers of controlling recruiting for foreign States to those conferred on the Governor-General of India by the enclosed Act, and if there is no legal provision in this respect already existing in the colony under your Government, I request that you will take an early opportunity of suggesting to your Ministers the expediency of legislating on the subject. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CAENAEVON. of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 8. Act No. IV op 1874. —Passed by the Goveenob-Geneeal op India in Council. {Received the assent of the Governor- General on the 2Mh February, 1874.) An Act to control Becruiting in British India for the service of Foreign States. Wheeeas it is expedient that the Governor-General in Council should exercise full control over recruiting in British India for the service of foreign States, it is hereby enacted as follows: — 1. This Act may be called " The Foreign Becruiting Act, 1874." It extends to the whole of British India; And it shall come into force on the passing thereof. 2. In this Act — " Foreign State " includes any person or persons exercising or assuming to exercise the powers of government in or over any country, colony, province, or people beyond the limits of British India. 3. If any person is, within the limits of British India, obtaining or attempting to obtain recruits for the service of any foreign State in any capacity, the Governor-General in Council may, by order in writing signed by a Secretary to the Government of India, either prohibit such person from so doing, or permit him to do so subject to any conditions which the Governor-General in Council thinks fit to impose. 4. The Governor-General in Council may from time to time, by general order notified in the Gazette of India, either prohibit recruiting for the service of any foreign State, or impose upon such recruiting any conditions which he thinks fit. 5. The Governor-General in Council may rescind or vary any order made under this Act in such manner as he thinks fit. 6. Whoever, in violation of the prohibition of the Governor-General in Council, or of any condition subject to which permission to recruit may have been accorded, — («.) Induces or attempts to induce any person to accept or agree to accept, or to proceed to any place with a view to obtaining any commission or employment in the service of any foreign State; or

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(5.) Knowingly aids in the engagement of any person so induced, by forwarding or conveying him, or by advancing money, or in any other way whatever; shall be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or to fine to such amount as the Court thinks fit, or to both. 7. Any offence against this Act may be inquired into and tried, as well in any district in which the person accused may be found, as in any district in which it might bo inquired into and tried under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

No. 9. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 45.) Sir, — Downing Street, 9th September, 1874. I duly received your Despatch No. 27, of the 13th of April, enclosing a memorandum approved by your Government on the subject of the establishment of a Government in the Eiji Islands in the event of their annexation to the British Crown. 2: I have received the communication with very great satisfaction. I understand it to mean on the part of your Ministers a readiness to accept a share of the burden and responsibility which, if the Islands become annexed to the Crown, will be incurred. Though colonial even more than imperial interests are concerned in this question, I recognize in this readiness to co-operate with Her Majesty's Government an evidence of the national feeling by which your Ministers, and the entire colony of New Zealand, are influenced, and their desire to associate themselves with the policy of this country. At the same time, whilst cordially acknowledging this feeling, for the reasons which I have given in a despatch addressed to the Governor of New South Wales on the 7th of last month, and of which I enclose you now a copy, I am of opinion that no one colony of the Australasian Group can properly undertake a part in the direct government of those Islands, and that the co-operation which I understand them to offer, and which I rejoice to receive, can be best afforded in the manner which I have indicated in that despatch. 3. Eor these reasons you are at liberty to submit, for the consideration of your Ministers, the suggestions which I have made to the Governor of New South Wales in my despatch of the 7th August, in regard to a money contribution towards the general expenses of administration. 4. I should before now have replied to your despatch of the 13th April, but that I considered it best to defer my answer until the course to be taken by Her Majesty's Government, and the consequent instructions to be given to Sir H. Bobinson in regard to the mission to Eiji, with which he is charged, should have been finally determined upon. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart.

Enclosure in No. 9. Copy of a Despatch from the Bight Hon. the Earl of Caenaevon to Governor Sir Heecules Robinson, K.C.M.G., New South Wales. Sic, — Downing Street, 7th August, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram, dated 21st July, relative to an anticipated deficit ia the revenue of Fiji in the event of its annexation, in which you state that your Ministers fully appreciate the obligation of New South Wales to assist in the establishment of a Government in the Islands, and indicate various modes in which such assistance might be given ; adding that, if preferred, your Ministers would ask the Colonial Legislature to contribute, in money, a portion of the probable deficiency. 2. You inform me that a minute expressing more fully the views of your Cabinet will be sent by the next mail. But looking to the importance of the question, and the necessity of allowing no unnecessary delay in dealing with it, I will at once explain to you the form in which Her Majesty's Government are at present disposed to think that the colonies could best co-operate in this matter. 3. And, in the first place, I desire to express my hearty appreciation of the readiness evinced by your Ministers to undertake on the part of New South Wales a portion of the cost, and to assist in

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the administration of Fiji. I had already received from the Government of New Zealand a spontaneous and somewhat similar intimation of the readiness of that colony to co-operate, in various ways, through its Governor and public departments, in providing the Islands with a Government, which might be at once efficient and economical. The total sum of money which may in any case be required to meet the possible deficiency in the revenue of Fiji will probably not be considerable. Nor could I, on the mere ground of saving expense to the Imperial Treasury, ask your Government to contribute money towards a deficiency of revenue. But I hail this offer as a fresh evidence of the sympathy which exists between the Australian Colonies and their Mother Country, and of their readiness to bear their share, so far as circumstances admit, in the common burdens of the Empire. So believing, Ido not hesitate to reply to that offer in the spirit in which it is made. 4. In accepting, then, this proposal, I need perhaps hardly say that it is impossible to invite your Ministers to a co-operation in the actual duties of Government. They will be well aware that, in order to secure that administrative efficiency in which we are all interested, there can be no divided responsibilities or uncertain authority. The authority can obviously be exercised only by the Imperial Government; and though the anxieties of organizing and administering a new colony are in one sense enhanced, in another they are lightened to me by the generous confidence in the dispositions and intentions of Her Majesty's Government which this offer indicates. 5. Whilst thus acknowledging, as I feel is due, the spirit in which this offer of assistance has been made by your Ministers, I may add that I fully believe that the present is one of those occasions where the principle of co-operation among different members of the Empire has an especial fitness. 6. It is alike the desire and for the advantage of the Australasian Colonies that British rule should be established in Fiji, in order to give increased security not only to British interests, but even more immediately to the great and growing interests of those colonies. I conceive, therefore, that lam only acting in conformity with their feeling when I invite the Colonial Legislatures to share with this Government the expenses attendant upon giving effect to a policy which they have advocated, and with which their future interests, political and commercial, are so largely connected. Nor am I uninfluenced by the conviction that, in undertaking the heavy responsibility of establishing a Colonial Government in Fiji, I can fully rely upon the readiness of all the Australasian Colonies to give practical proof of their strong desire to see the labour traffic regulated, and its abuses eradicated, by the establishment of British authority in these Islands, which, though they do not cover the entire area of the kidnapping trade, form at least one of its principal centres, and constitute a point from which any effective control may be exercised. 7. Taking therefore all these circumstances into consideration, I have arrived at the conclusion that, in order to be thoroughly efficient and capable of acting promptly and vigorously, the Government of Fiji, should it become a colony, must be strong and complete within itself, and must be directed, for a time at all events, from this country. It will, I conceive, be most essential to select for the first Governor a person possessed of tried administrative ability, and, if possible, of experience in colonies inhabited by a mixed population of European and coloured races, and to provide him with really efficient officers in the principal departments of Government. The salaries therefore of the Governor and the principal officers must in my opinion be liberal; but in determining this and other similar questions, it is my firm determination that the strictest economy, consistent with administrative efficiency, shall be practised. At the same time I cannot conceal from myself that there are already indications of some heavy expenses of various kinds, which in many other places and under different circumstances would not have to be incurred, and which, added to the impoverished condition of many of the settlers in the Islands, will render it impossible to rely upon raising the revenue estimated by the Commissioners. 8. Taking then all things into consideration, I trust that I am making no unreasonable proposal if I invite each of the four colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, New Zealand, and Queensland, who are principally concerned in the commerce of the Islands, and in the regulation of the labour traffic, to contribute the sum of £4,000 a-year towards the expenses of the Colonial Government of Fiji. It is, I trust, not improbable that smaller contributions in each case may suffice, and in that event I should propose to draw only the necessary proportion from each colony to make good the deficit. 9. I propose to address you on other questions connected with the annexation of these Islands by the next mail. I have, &c, Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson, K.C.M.G., &c. Caenaeyon.

No. 10. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 10th September, 1874. In consequence of an application made to this office, by a gentleman naturalized in 1873 in this country, to be allowed the rights and privileges of a British subject in Gibraltar, the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown has been taken as to whether certificates of naturalization granted in the United Kingdom extend to the colonies. 2. The Act 7 and 8 Vict. (1844), c. 66, sec. 6, provided that upon obtaining the certificate, and taking the oath therein mentioned, every alien then residing in, or who should thereafter come to reside in, any part of Great Britain

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or Ireland, should enjoy all the rights of a British subject. The Act 10 and 11 Vict., c. 83, sec. 3, expressly enacted that the above Act of 1844 should not extend to the colonies. The Act 33 Vict. (1870), c. 14, sec. 7, enacted that an alien to whom a certificate of naturalization should be granted should, in the United Kingdom, be entitled to all political and other rights, &c, of a British subject. 3. Her Majesty's Government are advised that the operation of the above enactments is clearly confined to the United Kingdom, and that a certificate of naturalization, granted under either of the Acts of 1844 or 1870, confers upon an alien no rights or privileges in a British colony. 4. As this subject is one of general interest, and with a view to remove any doubts which may exist in the colony under your Government upon the point, I have thought it desirable that the state of the law should be made known in a circular despatch to all the colonies. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CAENAEVON. of New Zealand.

No. 11. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 46.) Sir, — Downing Street, 17th September, 1874. I have the honor to transmit to you, for your information, the enclosed copy of a despatch from the Governor of New South Wales, together with copy of the answer which I have returned to it, relating to the question of the appointment of a Queen's Proctor in that colony, for the purpose of conducting prosecutions under " The Kidnapping Act, 1872." You will perceive that Her Majesty's Government do not consider such an appointment necessary. It will therefore rest with Naval officers seizing vessels under that Act to select their own counsel for prosecuting suits in the ViceAdmiralty Courts. I have, &c, Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. CAENAEVON.

Enclosure 1 in No. 11. Sir H. Robinson to the Earl of Kimbebley. (No. 143.) My Loed, — Government House, Sydney, Ist December, 1873. I have had the honor to receive your Lordship's Despatch No. 53, of the 11th September last, with its enclosures, relating to the appointment of Mr. Williams as Queen's Proctor in Admiralty, and to the question generally of appointments in colonial Vice-Admiralty Courts. 2. I have conferred on the subject of these papers with Mr. Williams, and I enclose a letter which I have received from that gentleman, explaining fully the circumstances under which he was appointed, and which briefly were as follow: — The "Melanie" and " Challenge" were captured by Captain Moresby, of H.M.S. "Basilisk," for alleged breaches of the Kidnapping Act of 1872, and sent to Sydney with instructions specially addressed to the Queen's Proctor. There being no such officer here, and Captain Moresby not being within reach of reference, a difficulty arose in instituting proceedings; and, acting under the advice of the Attorney-General and with the concurrence of Commodore Stirling, I appointed Mr. Williams Queen's Proctor in Admiralty until Her Majesty's pleasure should be made known. These two cases have, however, been decided in the local Courts, and as the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty do not consider it necessary that either a Queen's Proctor or an Admiralty Proctor should be appointed, Mr. Williams has resigned the appointment which I conferred on him provisionally in March last; and it now rests entirely with Her Majesty's Government to make such an appointment or not, as it may think best. 3. Mr. Williams, who is much respected in his profession, is a gentleman of ability and considerable experience in the Vice-Admiralty Court, and I therefore took the opportunity, when he called on me with his resignation, to consult him as to whether, in his opinion, it was desirable to make here any permanent appointment of either Queen's Proctor or Admiralty Proctor. He concurred in the opinion of the Lords of the Admiralty —that no absolute necessity exists for the appointment of such officers in the colonies ; and he seemed disposed to think that it would, at all events, be more satis-

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factory to the commanding officers of the capturing vessels, if they were left to select for themselves, in each case, a legal practitioner to take the necessary proceedings in the Vice-Admiralty Court. Ho pointed out that Naval officers generally are indisposed to make sufficient allowance for the delays and difficulties which are inseparable from legal proceedings, and that when prosecutions in which they are interested do not progress as smoothly and rapidly as they desire, they are apt to ascribe it to the want of zeal in the prosecution, and to think that local influences are being brought to bear in the conduct of the case. Mr. Williams thinks that these suspicions w rould be strengthened if naval officers were required, or expected, in every case to employ a permanent Crown Prosecutor, and that it would therefore be better to leave them free to make their own selection. 4. But I think there is another view of the case fljkich is deserving the consideration of Her Majesty's Government. In ordinary cases instituted in Vice-Admiralty Courts on behalf of Her Majesty's ships in the manner prescribed in Her Majesty's Order in Council of the 9th September, 1865, the proceedings would appear to be undertaken at the risk and expense of the captors, and in such cases it would no doubt be only right and fair that the seizing officer should be allowed to select his own counsel to take the necessary proceedings on his behalf. But it is understood here, whether correctly or not I do not know, that cases instituted in Vice-Admiralty, under the Kidnapping Act of 1872, are undertaken at the risk and expense of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, under the 19th section of the Act. If this view be correct, it appears to me that the Home Government, and not the seizing officer, is the party most interested in such cases, and that the only practicable check which Her Majesty's Government can exercise over such proceedings will be by the appointment of a proctor of high character to prosecute for the Crown in all proceedings under the Kidnapping Act. Such an officer might be instructed to institute and continue proceedings only in cases which may seem to him, after conferring with the senior Naval officer, to call for prosecution upon their merits, and in which there may appear to be reasonable grounds for believing that the legal evidence available is sufficient for conviction. 5. The cases of the "Melanie" and the " Challenge," recently tried in the Vice-Admiralty Court here, appear to show the necessity for some such check as I have hero suggested. These vessels were not employed in the coolie traffic, which it was the object of the Kidnapping Act to suppress, but in the pearl fishery and becbe-de-mer trade, for which, apparently through oversight, no provision has been made by the Act. The Court held that these vessels had infringed the letter but not the spirit of the law, and, whilst formally condemning them, unanimously recommended their restitution. If these cases had failed, as they would have done if they had been tried on their merits, the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury would have been called on to pay the costs on both sides, amounting probably to not less than £1,200. Even as it is, it appears possible that the Home Government may have to incur considerable expense, as, after the strong opinion expressed by the Court, it will perhaps be felt to be scarcely just to call upon the defendants in these cases to pay the Crown costs, which amount, as I have shown in another despatch, to over £550. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Hercules Robinson. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 11. John Williams, Esq., to Sir Heecules Bobinson. (No. 709.) Sic, — Crown Solicitor's Office, Sydney, 28th November, 1873. I have the honor to return herewith Despatch No. 53, upon the subject of my appointment to act as Queen's Proctor in the Vice-Admiralty Court in cases under the Kidnapping Act of 1872. It will be in the recollection of your Excellency that I have always advised that it is the right of any officer making a seizure to employ any Proctor he might think fit to take the necessary proceedings in the Vice-Admiralty Court to obtain a condemnation of his prize; and that I did not seek for the appointment of Crown Proctor, which was conferred upon me under the following circumstances : — When the officer in charge of the " Melanie" and the " Challenge "'arrived here, he brought with him an authority signed by Captain Moresby, and addressed to the Queen's Proctor, directing that proceedings on behalf of Captain Moresby and the officers and crew of the "Basilisk" should be instituted against the vessels. He called upon me on the subject, and I explained to him that there was no person in the colony holding that office ; and although the office I held was the one most nearly approaching that of the Crown Proctor, I did not in fact hold that office, and was therefore not justified in acting under the authorities addressed to the Crown Proctor, and I suggested that, in the absence of the Commodore, he should consult your Excellency. This he did, and eventually I was directed by the Attorney-General, as Crown Solicitor, to attend to the cases. I objected to this, as not being in any way part of my official duty as Crown Solicitor, as the suits against the vessels would not be at the instance of the Crown, but of the seizing officer, who had a considerable private interest in the result, and, under the Admiralty Regulations respecting prize suits, would be, I thought, liable personally for costs in the event of an adverse decision. As, however, there was no one in the colony empowered to act for Captain Moresby, I took the cases in hand, and, having been by your Excellency's letter appointed Crown Proctor, continued to conduct them until decrees were obtained. My chief object in wishing to be appointed Crown Proctor was to protect myself against being called upon to undertake suits of the description referred to as part of my duty as Crown Solicitor, and without reference to my own wish in the matter, or my having a claim for the costs if so acting. In the letter of Mr. Lushington to the Under Secretary for tho Colonies, of date 18th August last, it is stated that my Lords do not consider that it will be necessary to appoint cither a Queen's Proctor or an Admiralty Proctor in the Vice-Admiralty Courts of the colonies. I therefore resign the appointment of Queen's Proctor which your Excellency's letter conferred upon me, and respectfully request that you will be pleased to intimate your acceptance of such resignation.

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I should mention that notice of appeal to the Privy Council has been given in both suits; and I have instructed my London agents, Messrs. Peachey and Lloyd (whose address is S, Frederick Place, London, E.C.), to do what may be necessary in support of the decrees. My having done so will not, however, occasion any difficulty, as I will write by the outgoing mail requesting them to hand over the papers to any person who may be appointed by the Home authorities to attend to the matter. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir Hercules G. E. Eobinson, K.C.M.G.,- John Williams. Governor of the Colony of New South Wales.

Enclosure 2 in No. 11. The Earl of Caenaeyon to Sir Heectjles Eobinson. (No. 50.) Sib, — Downing Street, September, 1874. In reply to your Despatch No. 143, of the Ist December, I have the honor to inform you that the question of the appointment of a Queen's Proctor in New South Wales for the conduct of prosecutions under the Kidnapping Act of 1872 was submitted for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury and of the Admiralty, being the two departments directly interested in the subject.' The result of a correspondence between those departments and this office has shown that the Lords Commissioners of tho Admiralty are upon the whole of opinion that it is not desirable that such an appointment should be made. With reference to the opinion which you have stated to prevail in the colony under your Government, that cases instituted under the Act of 1872, in the Vice-Admiralty Courts, are undertaken at the risk and expense of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, you will observe, from the enclosed portion of the correspondence above referred to, that the state of the case has been somewhat misapprehended, and that their Lordships are not prepared to meet any expenses under the 19th section of the Act, except where they are satisfied that such expenses have been properly incurred. The question is not one which affects the colonial revenues, as it is confined to proceedings in the Vice-Admiralty Courts, the costs of which would not fall upon these revenues, and I do not therefore think it necessary to transmit to you copies of the correspondence between the Treasury and Admiralty, showing the conclusion which has been arrived at as to when the captors and when the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury may respectively be considered liable for such expenses. I have, &c, Governor Sir Hercules Bobinson, K.C.M.G. Caenaeyon.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 11. The Teeast/by to the Colonial Ofpice. Sic, — Treasury Chambers, 11th April, 1874. With reference to Sir H. Holland's letter of 13th February last, addressed to the Secretary to the Admiralty, wherein was enclosed a copy of Sir H. Bobinson's Despatch No. 143, dated Ist December, 1873, upon the subject of appointing a Queen's Proctor in New South Wales, for the conduct chiefly of prosecutions under the Kidnapping Act of 1872, copies of which letter and despatch have been communicated to the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury from the Admiralty, I am directed by my Lords to request you to bring under Lord Carnarvon's notice in connection with this correspondence Sir H. Holland's letter to the Secretary to the Treasury dated 30th September last, and that you will move his. Lordship to cause my Lords to be informed what steps his Lordship intends to take in order to correct the opinion which is said to prevail in New South Wales, that cases instituted in Vice-Admiralty Courts under " The Kidnapping Act, 1872," are undertaken at the risk and expense of my Lords under the 19th section of the Act. Sir H. Holland's letter, last referred to, recognizes most explicitly the primary liability of the captors. My Lords entirely concur in that view, and are not prepared to assume any responsibility beyond it. They will not meet any expenses under the 19th section, except where they are satisfied that such expenses have been properly incurred. Should my Lords ultimately decide to agree to the appointment of a Queen's Proctor, the appointment will imply that they intend discretion on their behalf to be exercised iv what suits are undertaken— that the Queen's Proctor will not be bound to undertake any suit at the mere instance of the captors, who, if they are dissatisfied with his refusal, can employ their own agent, and that my Lords will be answerable for costs in no suits except such as the Queen's.Proctor undertakes. My Lords have caused the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to be furnished with copies of Sir H. Holland's letter of the 30th September last, and of the letter which I have the honor of addressing to you. I have, &c., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Wm. Law.

No. 12. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 18th September, 1874. I transmit to you, for general information in the colony under your 2—A. 2.

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Government, copies of a report* by Mr. William Eobinson, of this department, upon the British colonies represented at the Vienna Exhibition, 1873, with particular reference to their produce. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CAENAEVON. of New Zealand.

No. 13. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight. Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (General.) Sir, — Downing Street, 26th September, 1874. I have to acknowledge the receipt of Sir James Eergusson's Despatch No. 51, of the 29th July last, enclosing addresses to Her Majesty, from both Houses of the General Assembly, on the occasion of the marriage of His Eoyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh with Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna of Eussia. I request you to inform the gentlemen by whom the addresses are signed, that they have been graciously received by Her Majesty. I have, &c., The Officer Administering the Government CAENAEVON. of New Zealand.

No. 14. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 48.) Sir, — Downing Street, 29th October, 1874. As the period for your retirement from the government of New Zealand on the appointment of the Marquis of Normanby is now at hand, I take this occasion of conveying to you my congratulations on the success which has attended your administration of the affairs of the colony during your term of office. I have, &c, Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. CAENAEVON.

No. 15. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (No. 54.) Sir, — Downing Street, 20th October, 1874. I transmit to you, herewith, a copy of a letter from the Emigration Commissioners calling my attention to a letter from Mr. Vogel, Eirst Minister of New Zealand, to the Agent-General for the Colony in England, in which grave charges of venality are made against the Emigration Officers appointed to carry the Passenger Acts into operation. I referred these papers, in the first instance, for the consideration of the Board of Trade, and I annex a copy of their Lordships' reply. I have to instruct you to call Mr. Vogel's attention to the correspondence, and to request him to state the names of the officers to whom he referred in his letter to Dr. Eeatherston. I cannot doubt that in so serious a charge as this he will be ready and anxious to lay before me, as fully as possible, the grounds and authority upon which the statement was founded. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CAENAEVON. of New Zealand. * Deposited in the General Assembly Library.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 15. The Emigeation Commissionees to Mr. Heebeet. Government Emigration Board, Downing Street, Sic, — 7th September, 1874. Amongst certain papers relative to immigration to New Zealand, which have recently been printed and presented to the Colonial Parliament by command of the Governor, there appears a letter from Mr. Julius Vogel, Minister for Immigration, dated 24th November last, and addressed to Dr. Featherston, the Agent-General for the Colony in this country, respecting the fittings of an emigrant ship called the "Punjaub," despatched by that officer from Gravesend in June, 1873. The letter contains the following passage: —"I judge from previous correspondence that you have more confidence "in the officers of the Emigration Commissioners than I have. From information which I have " received, and which I regard as trustworthy, I am led to believe that those officers constantly accept " remuneration from the persons interested in vessels. Be that as it may, I have the honor to " positively instruct you that you place no reliance whatever in the examinations of the officers of the " Commissioners." 2. The charge of venality, it will be seen, is very emphatic and most sweeping, limited to no particular time, port, or person, and thus rendering it impossible to grapple with it. It strikes at the whole body of emigration officers in this country who formerly acted under this Board, and are now acting under the Board of Trade. And, coming as it does from the Prime Minister of an important colony, with all the weight of his official authority, and published in the most formal manner, it cannot, I would venture to submit, in the interest of the public and in justice to the officers inculpated, be allowed to rest as it is. 3. With a view, therefore, to an investigation, I would suggest, for the consideration of the Earl of Carnarvon, whether the matter should not be brought under the notice of the Board of Trade, for the adoption of such measures as may appear to that department advisable, and whether the Governor of Now Zealand should not be requested to obtain from Mr. Vogel the grounds and the authority on which he felt justified in thus promulgating so serious and indiscriminate a charge against a body of officers —most of them holding Her Majesty's commission—who have hitherto discharged their important duties to the satisfaction of their official superiors and the general public in this country. I have, &c, E. G. W. Herbert, Esq. J. Walcott.

Enclosure 2 in No. 15. Mr. Geay to the Undee Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. (M. 12,539.) Emigration. Blß,— Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 9th October, 1874. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th ultimo, transmitting for their consideration the copy of a communication from the Emigration Commissioners relative to certain statements made in a letter from Mr. Vogel, First Minister of New Zealand, to the Agent-General for that colony, containing charges of corruption against the Emigration Officers appointed to carry the Passenger Acts into operation. The Board of Trade are glad that the Emigration Commissioners have directed attention to this matter. They must, however, express their surprise and regret that so grave an imputation should have been put forward by a gentleman holding an important official position upon " mere information which he received," and without, apparently, having taken any steps to ascertain that it was true, and could, if necessary, be substantiated. The Emigration Officers, who, for the most part, hold commissions in the Eoyal Navy, are highly spoken of by the Emigration Commissioners, and since they have been under this Board the Department have no reason to suppose that they have performed their duties otherwise than in a satisfactory manner. At the same time, this Board feel that, in the interests of these officers and of the public, it is only right that a searching inquiry should be made, and the Board are most anxious that it should be commenced at the earliest moment. The charge brought against these gentlemen is, however, made in such general terms, being confined to no particular persons, port, or time, that it would be impossible, in the present stage of the case, to hold an inquiry without casting doubt upon the integrity of the whole body of Emigration Officers. This the Board are unwilling to do, and before taking any further steps in the matter would suggest, for the Earl of Carnarvon's consideration, that the Governor of New Zealand should be requested to call upon Mr. Vogel to give the names of the officers referred to iv his letter, and to state, as fully as possible, the grounds and authority upon which the accusation is based. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Thomas Geay.

No. 16. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (No. 55.) Sir, — Downing Street, 24th October, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Sir James Eergusson's Despatch No. 41, of the 4th of July, enclosing a report of a Eoyal Commission

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Vide Parliamentary Paper D. No. 3, 1875, p. 55.

which he had appointed to inquire into the causes of the mortality on board the emigrant ship " Scimitar," and calling attention to the conduct of Dr. Eccles, and the arrangements in the Emigration Barracks at Plymouth. I caused a copy of this despatch to be forwarded for the consideration of the Board of Trade, and I have the honor to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of their Lordships' letter in reply. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CAENAEVON. of New Zealand.

No. 17. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 27th October, 1874. With reference to the Earl of Kimberley's circular despatch of the 4th September, 1873, I transmit to you the enclosed copy of a report* made to the Secretary of State for India by Surgeon-Major Carter, of the Bombay Army, on leprosy in Norway, together with a copy of a letter from Dr. Milroy. You will be good enough to communicate this report and Dr. Milroy's letter to the chief medical officers of your Government. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CAENAEVON. of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 17. Dr. Mileoy to the Hon. E. H. Meade. Sib,— Richmond, S.W., Bth September, 1874. In reply to your letter of the 29th ultimo, I have the honor to state that, as it is very desirable that public attention continue to be drawn to the subject of leprosy in the colonies where that disease prevails, it would be advantageous, I think, to have Dr. Carter's report communicated to them, and I take leave to suggest that the following observations accompany its transmission. 1. Dr. Carter states —" That leprosy may be personally communicated and received amongst human beings has not been strictly demonstrated, and, the force of negative facts being awarded paramount influence, it has been held that this disease is in fact not so communicable, and the opinion has been superadded that there is no need of leper asylums in countries infested with the malady. It was recently affirmed by high British authority—viz., a committee appointed by the London College of Physicians in June, 1802' —that, as a measure for checking the progress of leprosy, the compulsory segregation of lepers was not to be recommended, and, inter alia, it was advanced that the decline of leprosy in Europe (during the Middle Ages) is attributable chiefly to improvement in diet, as well as of general hygiene, identical results being predicted for India on similar grounds. Apparently the assumption that leprosy is not contagious led to this discountenance of leper asylums, and the necessity for consistently explaining its extinction in Europe probably led to this result being referred to improved hygiene." (a.) I am not aware where or when the opinion " that there is no need of leper asylums " has been expressed. All who have seen the disease must recognise, I should think, the necessity for destitute lepers of such institutions, when well placed and well conducted. (S.) The declarations by the College of Physicians in 1863, to the effect that the documentary statements then before them " contain no evidence which in their opinion justifies any measures for the compulsory segregation of lepers "—in other words for their forcible detention and seclusion —were made in answer to communications from the Colonial Office, requesting the opinion of the College on the subject referred to, and intimating that the Secretary of State, then the Duke of Newcastle, " contemplates sending out a circular to the Governors of all Her Majesty's colonies, expressing an opinion that any laws affecting the personal liberty of lepers ought to be repealed, and that in the meantime, or if they shall not be repealed, any action of the Executive authority in enforcement of them, which is merely authorized and not enjoined by the law, ought to cease." The Norwegian Government has, it appears, acted in the same manner, avoiding all compulsory measures. " Of the ascertained number [of lepers throughout the kingdom] nearly two-thirds remain in their homes. The remainder are induced to enter an asylum. To this end, however, no active coercion is employed : it may be made a condition of relief in the instance of pauper lepers, but this is no greater constraint than our own poor are subjected to. The advantages of thus placing their sick, as regards both themselves and the patient, are at last, I am informed, becoming apparent to the peasant and * Deposited in the General Assembly Library.

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fisherman. Government has been solicited to interfere more actively with the movements and actions of the leper, and that more than once, but the propositions have not been acceptable. As there is no compulsion either to give information or to enter an asylum, so likewise is there none to remain there." (c.) On the important question as to contagion or communicability by personal intercourse of leprosy from the sick to the healthy, Dr. Carter has not stated what conclusions he came to himself from what he saw and heard in Norway, but he has given a recent instructive paper by Professor Boeck, of Christiania, who has been long one of the leading authorities in Europe on the disease. This paper declares: — "We both [Dr. Boeck and his colleague Dr. Danielssen] pronounce ourselves decidedly against its being contagious." " In our Christiania hospital we have always got some lepers under treatment, but have never thought of separating them from the other cases of skin disease, and have never observed any infection being caused." 2. With reference to the propriety of strict separation of the sexes in leper asylums, Dr. Carter quotes the following passage from the circular despatch of Lord Kimberley of 4th September, 1873 (which has been inserted in an article in a medical journal, and a copy of which article is hereto annexed), to the Governors of West India Colonies : — " The fact that leprosy is transmitted by parent to child is indisputable, and as leprosy by descent is often, through a natural error, mistaken for leprosy by contagion, the members of one family being naturally in contact, it is important that this fact should be borne in mind. It is a fact which points also to the expediency of placing asylums for females at a distance from asylums for males, when circumstances permit, and when the numbers are such as to justify separate establishments." Dr. Carter adds: —•" In quoting the above remarks, I do not necessarily indorse all that they contain, but I am glad to find the views, which are not above advocated for the first time or the second, seem at length likely to be adopted by Her Majesty's Government, and also by the Boyal College of Physicians of London." The College distinctly stated that—" There is an almost unanimous concurrence of opinion that leprosy is often hereditary." The practical inference is obvious —viz., that, as with insanity, all means short of compulsion should be used to bar the propagation of the malady by heredity. Acting on this belief, I strongly urged tho point on the local authorities in the case of the several asylums in the West Indies, which I visited in 1871-72. Already in the Trinidad Asylum a distinct ward for female lepers has been erected, at a distance from the main building, where the men and boys are accommodated; and the same thing is about to be done in Demerara. In a communication from the College of Physicians to the Colonial Office, 10th August, 1873, special reference was made to this subject:— " The College thinks it very desirable that, on all occasions, the hereditary character of the disease should be kept steadily in view. In the majority of cases leprosy is an hereditary transmission. How far, however, it may be possible or right, politically and socially, to prevent the transmission of leprosy from parent to child, is a question that should not be lost sight of." 3. The general evidence contained in Dr. Carter's report relating to the medical history of leprosy in Norway corroborates the leading conclusions adopted by the College of Physicians from the mass of documents submitted to their consideration, and the soundness of which conclusions was confirmed by the result of my personal experience in the West Indies a few years afterwards. The information he gives respecting the condition and management of the asylums in that country, to the operation of which he mainly attributes the gradual decline of the disease there of recent years, is highly valuable and suggestive, and well deserves the attention of all our Colonial Governments. I have, &c, The Hon. E. H. Meade. . Gavin Mileoy.

No. 18. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (No. 59.) Sir, — Downing Street, 11th November, 1874. I have received and had under my consideration Sir James Eergusson's Despatch No. 37, of the 24th of June, enclosing a memorandum by Mr. Vogel on behalf of tho Ministers in explanation of their previous proposal, that in the event of Her Majesty's Government not being prepared to undertake any direct responsibilities with respect to the Navigator Islands, the Government of New Zealand should be permitted to make such arrangements with the chiefs of those islands as would protect New Zealand interests. I have deferred replying to this despatch until some definitive decision should have been arrived, at by Her Majesty's Government with regard to the annexation of the Fiji Islands. That step has now been taken, and your Ministers will at once perceive that, with the increased facilities for considering the requirements and interests of New Zealand and the Australian Colonies in particular,

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and the British Empire generally in the Pacific, which the establishment of a separate Colonial Government in these islands will now afford, it is obviously undesirable for the present to give a decision either in favour of or against any particular schemes on so important a subject. The work on which Her Majesty's Government are thus engaged, and in which the interests of New Zealand and the Australian Colonies are so largely concerned, is one requiring so much care and attention that its success, as I feel sure your Ministers will agree with me, ought not to be in any degree jeopardized by the introduction into it of other measures and considerations, however important, by which it might be complicated. I have, &c. 5i The Officer Administering the Government CARNARVON, of New Zealand.

No. 19. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 28th November, 1874. The Administrator of a Colonial Government has recently forwarded to me a petition to the Queen in Council from one of the parties in a private suit, for leave to appeal to Her Majesty in Council from a judgment of the Supreme Court of the colony. 2. I take this opportunity to inform you that it is no part of the duty of the Governor of a colony to forward such petitions, but that they should be brought before the Lords of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council by a professional agent of the petitioner in the usual manner. 3. I have further to inform you that it is not the practice of the Judicial Committee to return any answer to such petitions until an appearance has been entered on behalf of the petitioner. 4. If, therefore, application should be made to you by a party in a private suit to transmit a petition of this nature to the Secretary of State, you will decline to do so ; and you will inform the petitioner what are the proper steps to be taken in the matter. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 20. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, sth December, 1874. With reference to my circular despatch of the 27th of April last, transmitting a copy of a correspondence between this department and the Treasury relative to the withdrawal of the old British copper coin from circulation in those colonies using the Imperial coinage, I have the honor to inform you, that it having been represented to me that it would be desirable to extend the period during which this coin should be received at the Mint, I suggested to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury that the period should be extended from the 31st of March next to the 30th of June, 1876, and their Lordships have expressed their willingness to sanction that date as the latest for which the Mint will be authorized to receive the coin in question at its nominal value. The copper coins which your Government may desire to return to the Imperial Mint should be carefully sorted and packed in bags, and consigned to the Crown Agents for the Colonies. A letter of advice, with full details, should accompany

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each shipment, and each bag of coin should bear a label stating the amount and weight of its contents. You will of course take care to issue the Proclamation decrying this coinage in accordance with the wishes expressed by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury in their letter of January 31st, enclosed in my despatch of the 27th of April last. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 21. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 4.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 16th January, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Sir J. Eergusson's Despatch No. 87, of the 17th November, informing me of certain changes in the Ministry of New Zealand. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G, &c, &c.

No. 22. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 9.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 30th January, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that Her Majesty will not be advised to exercise her power of disallowance with respect to the following Acts of the Legislature of New Zealand, transcripts of which accompanied Sir J. Eergusson's Despatch No. 78, of the 26th of October last :— No. I.—An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account to the Service of the Year ending the Thirtieth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five. No. 2. —An Act to amend " The Electric Telegraph Act, 1865." No. 3. —An Act to amend "The Justices of the Peace Act, 1866." No. 4. —An Act to amend " The Offences against the Person Act, 1867," and to repeal " The Offences against the Person Act Amendment Act, 1868," and to make other provisions in lieu thereof. No. 5. —An Act to amend "The Supreme Court Judges Act, 1858." No. 6.—An Act to amend "The Westland Loan Act, 1873." No. 7. —An Act to enable the Trustees of the Wellington Hospital Eeserves to borrow Money for the Purposes of the Hospital. No. 8. —An Act to alter the Duty on Spirits distilled in New Zealand, and to provide for the Compensation of certain Persons who have entered into the Business of Distillation under the provisions contained in " The Distillation Act, 1868." No. 10.—An Act to amend "The Licensing Act, 1873." No. 11. —An Act to amend " The Conveyancing Ordinance Amendment Act, 1860." No. 12. —An Act to enlarge the Powers of Municipal Councils to make Bylaws for the Eegulation of Hackney Carriages and Borough Stage Carriages, and for other purposes. No. 13. —An Act to amend " The Bankruptcy Act, 1867," by making other provision for the Appointment of Provisional Trustees, and authorising Clerks of District Courts to preside at Meetings of Creditors.

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No. 14. —An Act for the Abolition of Imprisonment for Debt and for other purposes. No. 15. —An Act to amend " The Land Transfer Act, 1870," in respect to dealings with Lands granted under the Native Lands Acts. No. 23. —An Act to amend " The Wellington Special Settlements Act, 1871." No. 25. —An Act to authorise the raising of Money for Immigration and Construction of Public Works. No. 29. —An Act to authorise the advance to the Province of Otago of a Sum of Money for the Construction of Branch Eailways. No. 31. —An Act to provide for supplying certain Districts of the Province of Canterbury with Water. No. 32. —An Act to make better provisions relating to the Construction of works below High Watermark. No. 33.—An Act to amend " The Harbour Boards Act, 1870." No. 34. —An Act to enable the Auckland Harbour Board to construct a Dock and other Harbour Works, and to raise Money to defray the Cost thereof. No. 35.—An Act to authorise the Payment of a portion of the Land Eevenue of the Province of Taranaki in aid of the funds of a Harbour Board to be constituted for the Harbour of New Plymouth. No. 41. —An Act to confer certain Powers on the Borough of Thames for laying down of Tramways for Gold Eields purposes. No. 42.—An Act to authorize the Municipal Council of the Town of Cromwell to raise the sum of Eive Thousand Pounds for the purpose of purchasing and contracting Waterworks for the supply of the Town of Cromwell. No. 43. —An Act for declaring the Validity of a certain Special Drainage Eate made by the Council of the City of Christchurch, and of certain Debentures issued on the security thereof. No. 44.—An Act to enable the Corporation of the City of Dunedin to acquire, construct, and maintain the necessary Land, Plant, Premises, and Works for supplying the Inhabitants of the said City and its Suburbs, and other places, with Gas. No. 45. —An Act to enable the Corporation of the City of Dunedin to purchase the Eights and Interest of " The Dunedin Waterworks Company, Limited," and to borrow such Sum or Sums of Money as may be necessary to complete the said Purchase, and to construct and maintain the Works of the said Company and other Waterworks. No. 46. —An Act to authorise the Municipal Council of the Town of Invercargill to raise Money for the purpose of constructing Gasworks for the supply of the Town of Invercargill with Gas. No. 47. —An Act to authorize the Municipal Corporation of the City of Wellington to borrow a further sum of Twenty-five Thousand Pounds for the purposes of the Waterworks of the City. No. 49. —An Act to provide for the Election of Mayors of the Borough of Hokitika. No. 50. —An Act to provide for the Election of Mayors of the City of Wellington. No. 51.—An Act to provide for the Election of Mayors of the Borough of Wanganui. No. 52. —An Act to validate the Proceedings constituting the Borough of Westport under " The Municipal Corporations Act, 1867," and certain other acts and proceedings consequent thereon. No. 56.—An Act to provide for the Establishment and Management of Naval Training Schools. No. 61. —An Act to provide for the Inspection and Eegulation of certain kinds of Machinery in the Colony of New Zealand. No. 62. —-An Act to consolidate and amend the Law providing for the Purchase of Government Annuities and Payments on Death and other Payments. No. 63. —An Act to amend " The Eegulation of Elections Act, 1870." No. 64.—An Act to amend " The Juries Act, 1868." No. 66.—An Act to amend "The Petty Sessions Act, 1865:"

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No. 67. —An Act to complete certain Exchanges of Land in New Plymouth. No. 68.—An Act to amend " The Presbyterian Church of Otago Lands Act, 1866." No. 69.—An Act to amend " The Employment of Eemales Act, 1873." No. 70. —An Act for removing Doubts as to the Validity of certain Marriages solemnized in the Province of Canterbury. No. 71.—An Act to amend " The Oyster Eisheries Act, 1866." No. 72. —An Act to authorize the grant of a Eetiring Allowance to David Lewis, Esquire, a Commissioner appointed under " The New Zealand Company's Land Claimants Ordinance," Session XL, No. 15, on his retirement from office. No. 73.—An Act to amend " The Walsh and Others Pension Act, 1869," and " The Walsh and Others Pension Act Amendment Act, 1870." No. 74. —An Act to authorize the grant of a Eetiring Allowance to Wilson Gray, Esquire, a Judge of District Courts, on his retirement from office. No. 75.—An Act to amend " The Native Land Act, 1873." No. 76. —An Act to provide for ascertaining Titles to certain Lands in the Poverty Bay District. No. 77. —An Act to empower the Governor to carry out a certain engagement for Grants of Land situate in the Mongonui District of the Province of Auckland. No. 78. —An Act to empower the Governor to carry out certain engagements for Grants of Land situate in Whakataki, near Castle Point, in the Province of Wellington. No. 79. —An Act to amend " The Outlying Districts Sale of Spirits Act, 1870." No. 80. —An Act to validate certain Orders in Council issued under the Provisions of " The Outlying Districts Sale of Spirits Act, 1870." No. 81. —An Act to amend the Public Eevenues Acts. No. 82. —An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Consolidated Eund, and other Moneys, to the Service of the Year ending the Thirtieth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, and to appropriate the Supplies granted in this present Session. LOCAL AND PLBSONAL. No. 1. —An Act to incorporate the Proprietors of a certain Banking Company called " The Colonial Bank of New Zealand," and for other purposes. No. 2. —An Act to authorize " The Lyttelton Gas, Coal, and Coke Company (Limited)" to break up Streets and Bridges, and to lay down and place Pipes, Conduits, and Service Pipes, and to make and construct other Works for supplying the Borough of Lyttelton with Gas. I have, &c, Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, CAENAEVON. K.C.M.G, &c, &c.

No. 23. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 11.) My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist February, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Sir J. Eergusson's Despatch No. 89, of the 17th of November, enclosing a memorandum from his Advisers on the subject of a Proclamation issued by the Government of New South Wales prohibiting the importation of cattle and certain other articles from New Zealand, with a printed paper containing correspondence with the Governments of the Australian colonies with regard to the prohibition of the importation of live stock. 2. In their memorandum your Ministers request that these papers may be laid before me, in order that, should I be of opinion that the Proclamation issued 3—A. 2.

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by the Government of New South Wales is, as they are advised, extreme and illegal, I may instruct the Governor of New South Wales to cause it to be annulled, unless the Parliament of New South Wales shall pass such an Act as will justify the issue of the Proclamation. 3. In reply, I request that you will inform your Ministers that, in a commercial matter of this nature, I am disposed to think that any question as to the legality or illegality of a Proclamation issued by a Colonial Government should in the first instance be tested, if it is deemed necessary to take exception to it, in the Law Courts of the colony in which it is issued; and that it would not be in accordance with constitutional practice for the Secretary of State, at the instance of the Ministers of a colony, to issue instructions to the Governor of another for the withdrawal of a Proclamation which he has issued on the recommendation of those who are responsible for advising him in such matters. 4. In signing such a Proclamation as that in question, the Governor of New South Wales cannot, consistently with the spirit of the Constitution of that colony, properly be held to be individually responsible to persons deeming themselves aggrieved by it. 5. As in Sir J. Eergusson's despatch, and in the accompanying correspondence, there is much reference to the question whether your predecessor should himself have addressed the Governors of the neighbouring colonies on the matter at issue, I think it desirable to express my clear opinion that it was neither necessary nor expedient in this instance to depart from the long-established usage under which the Ministers of one Australasian colony correspond with those of another on matters not affecting Imperial interests. 6. It is indeed obvious that it is very desirable that Governors should personally be drawn as little as possible into the discussion of such intercolonial questions as are likely to become the subjects of animated controversy, and the correspondence enclosed in Sir J. Eergusson's despatch contains strong evidence of the inexpedience of departing from this rule. 7. If any serious and continued inconvenience should be caused to persons in New Zealand by the New South Wales Proclamation (supposing it to be still in operation), I cannot doubt that the Government of that colony will give all due consideration to such representations as may be made to them by your Advisers, without the intervention of yourself or of the Secretary of State. I have, &c, Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. CAENAEVON. K.C.M.G., &c, &c.

No. 24. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government'of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 10th February, 1875. At the request of the Director of the Meteorological Office, I transmit to you, for the use of any meteorological systems in the colony under your Government, copies of New Instructions for Meteorological Telegraphy,* which came into use on the Ist instant. In the letter transmitting to this department copies of this pamphlet, it is stated that the new code has been adopted in compliance with the request of the Permanent Committee of the Vienna Congress, in order to attain greater uniformity in weather telegraphy, and that it will be used by almost every country in Europe, subject to certain modifications to suit the metric system. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. * Deposited in the General Assembly Library.

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No. 25. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 11th February, 1875. With reference to the correspondence which has passed respecting the support of the Settlement at Somerset, I have the honor to transmit, for your own information and for that of your Government, copies of a correspondence which has recently passed upon the subject between the Board of Trade, this department, and the Board of Admiralty. I have, &c., The Officer Administering the Government of CAENAEVON. New Zealand.

Enclosure 1 in No. 25. The Boaed of Teabe to the Colonial Ofeice. Sic, — Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, lGth January, 1875. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State, that provision has been made in the Estimates of this department for payment of the sum of £600 as the contribution, for the year 1874-5, of the Imperial Government towards the cost of the Settlement at Somerset. This provision is made upon the understanding that no part of such sum shall be expended except according to the conditions on which contributions towards the cost of the maintenance of the Settlement are asked for from the various Australian Colonies, and the sum, if not paid over before the Ist April next, lapses to the Exchequer. The Board of Trade are not aware how far Commodore Goodenough has proceeded with his assessment of the contribution of the Australian Colonies, and they desire me to suggest, for the consideration of Lord Carnarvon, the advisability of learning by telegraphic communication with the Governor of Queensland how the matter stands, and, if the assessment has been completed, what amount is payable in respect of the current year. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. G. C. Hamilton.

Enclosure 2 in No. 25. The Colonial Office to the Admibalty. Sib, — Downing Street, 22nd January, 1875. With reference to the correspondence noted in the margin, I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to you, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of South Australia, respecting the contribution of that colony in aid of the expenses of the Settlement at Somerset Island. 2. It will be seen that the Governor states that he has not received any information from Commodore Goodenough upon the subject; and Lord Carnarvon would be glad to be furnished at their Lordships' early convenience with a copy of the instructions given to the Commodore in respect of the assessment by him of the amount of contribution to be made by the different colonies concerned to the object in question. 3. His Lordship would also be glad to be informed whether anything has been heard by the Board of Admiralty from Commodore Goodenough in reference to this question. 4. I am further desired to enclose, for their Lordships' information, a copy of a letter which has been received from the Board of Trade, intimating that provision has been made for the payment of £600 as an Imperial contribution towards the Settlement at Somerset for the year 1874-5, and inquiring respecting the proceedings of Commodore Goodenough. I have, &c, The Secretary to the Admiralty. W. E. Malcolm.

Enclosure 3 in No. 25. Governor Mttsoeave to the Earl of Caenaeyon. My Loed, — Government House, South Australia, Ist December, 1874. Beferring to my Despatch No. 20, of 20th May, I have the honor to acquaint you that provision has again been made in the Appropriation Act for 1874-75 for a sufficient amount to cover the contribution which may be required from this colony for the expenses of the Settlement at Somerset Island ; but I have not yet received any information from Commodore Goodenough upon the subject. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon, &c, &c. A. Musgeave.

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Enclosure 4 in No. 25. Admibalty to Colonial Office. Sic, — Admiralty, 29th January, 1875. With reference to your letter of 22nd instant, and to previous correspondence respecting the assessment by the Commodore on the Australian Stations of tho contributions to be made by the several Australasian Colonies towards the cost of the maintenance of the Settlement at Somerset, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you herewith, for the information of the Earl of Carnarvon, copies of the instructions furnished to Commodore Goodenough, the receipt of which he acknowledged on 9th May last; but no further communication has been received from him on the subject. The Commodore will now be desired to report what steps he has taken in respect of the assessment. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.

Enclosure 5 in No. 25. Admibalty to Commodore Goodenough. Sib,— Admiralty, 12th February, 1874. I am, &c, to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Colonial Office, dated 10th instant, and its enclosure in original, expressing the desire of the Secretary of State for the Colonies that you should assess the contributions towards the maintenance of the Settlement at Somerset, Cape York, which should, in your opinion, be furnished by the respective colonies concerned. I am at the same time to acquaint you that their Lordships have informed the Earl of Kimberley that there is no objection to your undertaking the special duty, provided the several colonies interested agree thereto; also that they presume full information on the subject will be given to you through this office. I have, &c, Commodore Goodenough, &c. Eobeet Hall.

Enclosure 6 in No. 25. Admibalty to Commodore Goodenoijgh. (No. 64.) Sib, — Admiralty, 18th March, 1874. With reference to my letter No. 36, of the 12th February, in regard to the assessment by you of the contributions towards the maintenance of the Colony of Somerset, Cape York, which should be furnished by the respective colonies concerned, I am, &c, to transmit for your information copies of a letter, dated 13th March, and its enclosures, from the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, in regard to the directions on this subject which will be given to the Governors of the several colonies interested. I am, &c, Commodore Goodenough. Eobeet Hall.

Enclosure 7 in No. 25. The Colonial Office to the Admibalty. Sib, — Downing Street, 3rd February, 1875. With reference to the last paragraph of your letter of the 29th ultimo, stating that Commodore Goodenough would be desired to report what steps he had taken in respect of the assessment of the contribution to be made by the several Australasian Colonies towards tho support of the settlement at Somerset, I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to request that you will suggest to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that, as the matter is pressing, the inquiry should be made at once by their Lordships by telegram if the Commodore is within reach. Lord Carnarvon would be glad to be informed whether this can be done. I am, &c, The Secretary to the Admiralty. W. E. Malcolm.

Enclosure 8 in No. 25. The Ajdmiealty to the Colonial Office. Sib, — Admiralty, sth February, 1875. With reference to your letter of the 3rd instant, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of tho Secretary of State for the Colonies, that a telegram has been sent to Commodore Goodenough desiring him to report by telegraph what steps he has taken for assessing the colonies of Australia for the support of Somerset Settlement. I am, &c, The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. Veenon Lushington.

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Enclosure 9 in No. 25. The Admibalty to the Colonial Office. Sib, — Admiralty, Bth February, 1875. With reference to my letter of the sth instant, and to former correspondence, relative to the assessment of the Australasian Colonies for the support of Somerset Settlement, Cape York, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you, for the information of the Earl of Carnarvon, the copy of a telegram which has this day been received from Commodore Goodenough. Telegeam. Adelaide, Bth Feb., 1875.—Addressed Queensland, October, urging establishment, and offering assistance ; have no reply. New South Wales has not replied on assessment question. Goodenough, Commodore. I am, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Veenon Lushington.

No. 26. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 13.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 12th Eebruary, 1875. I transmit to you the accompanying Orders of the Queen in Council assenting to two Bills of the New Zealand Legislature, entitled respectively, — No. 84. —■*' An Act to provide for the more equitable Disposal in certain " Cases of the Eeal Estate of Persons dying Intestate." No. 85. —" An Act to authorize the Legislatures of Provinces in New " Zealand to empower Courts of Law to hear and determine Questions arising " under the Laws of such Provinces providing for the Construction and Main- " tenance of Dividing Eences " — —which your predecessor reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure, and transcripts of which were forwarded to me in his Despatch No. 78, of the 26th of October, 1874. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G., &c, &c.

/ . Enclosure lin No. 26. At the Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, the 4th day of February, 1875. Present: —The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, Loed Chancelloe, Loed Peesident, Loed Chambeelain, Earl of Shbewsbuey, Colonel Tayloe, Sir Heney Keating. Wheeeas by an Act passed in the session held in the fifteenth and sixteenth years of Her Majesty's reign, entitled "An Act to grant a Eepresentative Constitution to the Colony of New Zealand," it is amongst other things declared that no Bill, which shall be reserved for tho signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon, shall have any force or authority within the Colony of .New Zealand, until the Governor of the said colony shall signify, either by speech or message to the Legislative Council and House of Bepresentatives of tho said colony, or by Proclamation, that such Bill has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and that Her Majesty has been pleased to assent to the same: And whereas a certain Bill passed by the Legislative Council and House of Bepresentatives of the said colony, entitled No. 84 of 1874, " An Act to provide for the more equitable Disposal in certain " cases of the Beal Estate of Persons dying Intestate," was presented to the Officer administering the Government of the said colony for Her Majesty's assent: And whereas the said Bill was reserved by the said Officer for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon : And whereas the said Bill, so reserved as aforesaid, has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and it is expedient that the said Bill should be assented to by Her Majesty : Now therefore, Her Majesty, in pursuance of the said Act, and in exercise of the power thereby reserved to Her Majesty as aforesaid, doth by this present Order, by and with the advice of Her Majesty's Privy Council, declare her assent to the said Bill. And the Bight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon, one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary directions herein accordingly. Abthue Helps.

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Enclosure 2 in No. 26. At the Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, the 4th day of February, 1875. Present: —The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty : Loed Chancelloe, Loed Peestdent, Loed Chamberlain. Earl of Shrewsbuey, Colonel Tayloe, Sir Henry Keating. Wheeeas by an Act passed in the session held in the fifteenth and sixteenth years of Her Majesty's reign, entitled " An Act to grant a Representative Constitution to the Colony of New Zealand," it is amongst other things declared that no Bill, which shall be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon, shall have any force or authority within the Colony of New Zealand, until the Governor of the said colony shall signify, either by speech or message to the Legislative Council and House of Bepresentatives of the said colony, or by Proclamation, that such Bill has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and that Her Majesty has been pleased to assent to the same : And whereas a certain Bill passed by the Legislative Council and House of Bepresentatives of the said colony, entitled No. 85 of 1874, "An Act to authorize the Legislatures of Provinces in New "Zealand to empower Courts of Law to hear and determine Questions arising under the Laws of such " Provinces providing for the Construction and Maintenance of Dividing Fences," was presented to the Officer administering the Government of the said colony for Her Majesty's assent: And whereas the said Bill was reserved by the said Officer for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon: And whereas the said Bill so reserved as aforesaid has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and it is expedient that the said Bill should be assented to by Her Majesty: Now therefore, Her Majesty, in pursuance of the said Act, and in exercise of the power thereby reserved to Her Majesty as aforesaid, doth by this present Order, by and with the advice of Her Majesty's Privy Council, declare her assent to the said Bill. And the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon, one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary directions accordingly. Aethub Helps.

No. 27. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (General.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 16th Eebruary, 1875. I have received Sir James Eergusson's Despatch No. 85, of the 17th November, submitting objections to the proposed withdrawal from circulation of the old British copper coin. 2. You will have already learned, from my circular despatch of the sth of December, that the period within which this coin will be received by the authorities of the Mint at its nominal value has been extended to the 30th June, 1876, which will allow a sufficient time for procuring an additional supply of bronze coins before calling in the old copper coin. 3. I would, however, remind your Government that if they are satisfied that, on account of the trouble, incidental cost, or any other local reason, it is advisable to leave this coin in circulation, there will be no objection on the part of Her Majesty's Government to such a course, but that, if the withdrawal of it be postponed beyond the later date fixed by the Treasury, the full nominal value of the coin cannot be obtained. 4. If, therefore, your Government desire to avail themselves of the Treasury proposal, they should proceed in the manner which has already been indicated in my circulars of the 27th April and sth December, issuing a proclamation decrying the coins in question, and procuring a sufficient supply of bronze coin to replace the copper, which is to be decried. 5. I have furnished Dr. Featherston with copies of the circulars and the correspondence on this subject, in order that he may, if he should deem it desirable, take advantage of the presence in this country of Mr. Vogel, and despatch at once the amount of bronze coinage which may appear to be necessary. 6. I am not aware whether your Ministers will desire to take advantage of this opportunity to withdraw the tokens now in circulation in the colony, but they are no doubt fully aware that the Mint will only be authorized to receive, at its nominal value, the British copper now decried in this country. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G, &c, &c.

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No. 28. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 14.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 17th Eebruary, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that Her Majesty will not be advised to to exercise her power of disallowance with respect to the following Acts of the Legislature of New Zealand, transcripts of which accompanied Sir J. Eergusson's Despatch No. 78, of the 26th of October, 1874 :— No. 16. —An Act to consolidate and amend the Waste Lands Laws of the Province of Auckland. No. 17. —An Act to amend the Land Laws at present in force in the Province of Hawke's Bay, and make other provisions in lieu thereof. No. 18. —An Act to amend " The Marlborough Waste Lands Act, 1867." No. 19. —An Act to regulate the Sale, Letting, Disposal, and Occupation of the Waste Lands of the Crown within the Province of Nelson. No. 20. —An Act to make provision for the better administration of Waste Lands of the Crown in the Province of Otago. No. 21.—An Act to amend the Law relating to the Sale, Letting, and Occupation of Waste Lands of the Colony within the Province of Taranaki. No. 22.—An Act to amend " The Westland Waste Lands Act Amendment Act, 1873." No. 24. —An Act to provide for the Establishment of State Eorests, and for the application of the Eevenues derivable therefrom. No. 26. —An Act to amend " The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870," and the several Acts amending the same. No. 27. —An Act to provide for the Construction of certain Eailways, and for other purposes. No. 28. —An Act to apply certain Sums of Money out of Loans as Advances to Provinces for Public Works and other purposes. No. SO. —An Act to authorize the Payment for the Construction of Public Works in the Province of Wellington to be made in Money or Land. No. 36. —An Act to reserve Land as an Endowment for a Harbour Board to be constituted for the Harbour of Napier. No. 37. —An Act to authorize the granting of certain Parcels of Land to the Oamaru Harbour Board, and to vest certain other Parcels of Land in Her Majesty the Queen. No. 38. —An Act to authorize the Governor to grant to the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Wanganui certain Lands, being parts of the Bed of the Eiver Wanganui. No. 39.—An Act to validate and authorize the making of Eeserves for Municipalities. No. 40. —An Act to authorize the vesting in a Board of Conservators of certain Lands in the Province of Otago in Trust for conserving the Banks of the Clutha Eiver, and improving the Navigation thereof. No. 48. —An Act to authorize the Disposal of Waste Lands of the Crown within the Province of Taranaki, to encourage the establishment of Iron Smelting Works. No. 54.—An Act to cancel certain Eeserves of Waste Lands made in the Province of Otago for Endowments of certain Public Institutions, and to authorize the Eeservation of Waste Lands in the said Province as Sites and Endowments for certain purposes. No. 55.—An Act to amend " The Wellington Education Eeserves Act, 1871." No. 57. —An Act to authorize the Vesting in Trustees of certain Lands in the Province of Otago in Trust as an Endowment for the Oamaru Hospital. No. 58. —An Act to provide for closing certain Burial Grounds. No. 59.—An Act to amend " The Gold Eields Act, 1866." No. 60.—An Act to provide for the Eegulation and Inspection of Mines. No. 65.—An Act to amend " The Volunteer Act, 1865."

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I have, however, to point out to you an apparent discrepancy in the Act No. 21. The proviso at the end of sub-section 3in section 34 declares that no section of rural land shall be more than 300 acres, while section 40 directs that no allotment offered for sale shall be more than 320 acres. I have, &c, Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, CAENAEVON. K.C.M.G, &c, &c.

No. 29. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 16.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 20th Eebruary, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that Her Majesty will not be advised to exercise her power of disallowance with respect to the following Act of the Legislature of New Zealand, a transcript of which accompanied Sir J. Eergusson's Despatch No. 78, of the 26th of October, 1874 :— No. 9of 1874: An Act to amend " The Merchant Shipping Acts Adoption Act, 1869," and "The Merchant Shipping Acts Adoption Act, 1873." I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G., &c, &c.

No. 30. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 17.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 23rd Eebruary, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 21st of December, No. 93, informing me of your arrival at Auckland on the 3rd of December, and that you assumed the government of New Zealand on the same day. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanbv, K.C.M.G., &c, &c.

No. 31. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 20.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 25th February, 1875. I have to acquaint you that I have submitted the name of LieutenantColonel John Larkins Cheese Eichardson (the Speaker of the Legislative Council of New Zealand) to the Queen for the honor of Knighthood, and that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to recognise the very valuable public services of this gentleman, by approving his appointment to be a Knight Bachelor. I request that you will inform Colonel Eichardson that I have had much pleasure in submitting his name to the Queen for this honor. You will at the same time inform him that the Patent of Knighthood will proceed through the Home Office as soon as it shall have been intimated by Lieutenant-Colonel Eichardson, through you, by whom the necessary charges will be paid. They will amount to £96 14s. 6d. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G., &c, &c.

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No. 32. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Eari of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 21.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 25th Eebruary, 1875. I have the honor to inform you that Her Majesty has been pleased, on my recommendation, to give directions for the appointment of Mr. Walter Lawry Buller, the author of " The Birds of New Zealand," to the dignity of a Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, in consideration of the ability and attainments displayed in that work. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. K.C.M.G., &c, &c.

No. 33. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 25.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd March, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 103, of the 22nd of December, enclosing a letter addressed to me by the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, with a petition which he had received from Sir George Grey, dated the 4th November, having reference to the appropriation of the fund arising from the sale of Crown lands within the Colony of New Zealand. 2. You also enclose a memorandum by Dr. Pollen, who is now acting as leader of the New Zealand Government, respecting the statements contained in Sir George Grey's petition. 3. It is my duty to observe that the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland acted irregularly in addressing Her Majesty's Government direct; and that the usual (as it is also the most convenient) course would have been to transmit the petition through the Governor. 4. I had previously received a copy of another petition from Sir George Grey to your predecessor, dated the 14th October, with respect to the measures which he apprehended were being rapidly pushed on for the abolition of Provincial Institutions in New Zealand. 5. You will have the goodness to cause Sir George Grey to be informed that I have read both his petitions with the attention which is due to any communication from him, and that, while I differ very widely from many of the views and opinions to which he has given expression, I do not think it desirable to enter into any detailed examination of his representations, for the single reason that they relate to matters in respect of which I do not think there should be any pretence for saying that Her Majesty's Government have influenced or interfered with the decision of the Colonial Legislature. 6. I have, as at present advised, no intention of applying to Parliament for any legislation on the subject of the Provincial Institutions or the Crown lands of New Zealand, and no suggestion that such legislation is necessary or desirable has been made to me by or on behalf of the Government of the Colony, or from any other quarter. These are subjects which the General Assembly of New Zealand is, in my opinion, quite competent to discuss, as indeed has already been very fully and ably done in the debate in the House of Bepresentatives which terminated in August fast, and which I have perused with much interest. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G, &c, &c. By Authority: Geobgb Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington. —1875. Price Is. 3d.]

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