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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1878 Session I, A-02

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1878. NEW ZEALAND.

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

In Compliance with an Address of the House of Representatives.

No. 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. My Lord,-— Downing Street, 9th November, 1877. I have the honor to transmit to you, for communication to your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office, accompanied by a copy of a note from the Italian Ambassador in this country, complaining of the refusal of the local authorities in New Zealand to assist in the apprehension of deserters from Italian merchant vessels, in accordance with the terms of the Order in Council of the 11th of June, 1863. I regret to find that this Order in Council would appear not to have been communicated officially to the colonies, owing to its not having been brought under the notice of this office at the time it was passed. I now enclose a copy of the Order in Council for the information of your Government; and I should be glad if you would furnish me with a report upon the complaint made by the Italian Government. I have, &c, CARNARVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c, &c.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sib,— Foreign Office, 28th September, 1877. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you a copy of a note from the Italian Ambassador at this Court, complaining of the refusal on the part of the authorities in New Zealand to assist in the apprehension of deserters from Italian merchant vessels, in accordance with the terms of; the Order in Council of the 11th June, 1863 (see London Gazette of the 12th June following), and I am to request you that you will move the Earl of Carnarvon to cause inquiry to bo instituted with respectto the circumstances set forth in Count Menabrea's note. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. T. V. Lister. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1. in No. 1. Count Menabrea to the Earl of Derby. Monsieur le Comte, — 35, Queensgate, S.W., 17 Septembre, 1877. Le Consul de S. M. le Eoi dTtalie a Melbourne a appele l'attention dv Gouvernement Italien an sujet dcs matelots gui desertent nos batiments marchands dans les ports de la Nouvelle Zelande. D'apros le rapport dv susdit Consul, les Autorites Coloniales se refuseraient a faire arreter ces deserteurs et a, les faire reconduire a bord de leurs navires, en conformite do l'Ordonnance de S. M. la Eeine dv 11 Juin, 1863. II resulterait aussi de cc meme rapport Consulaire que le Gouvernement de I—A. 2.

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la Nouvelle Zelande ne se croirait pas oblige d'ordonner la poursuite ct l'arrestation dcs matelots deserteurs dcs batiments etrangers, excepte pour ceux dcs nations gui, par l'entremise dcs Consuls respeclifs, ont formellement declare d'accepter tousles Articles dune loi coloniale, promulgee le 24 Septembre, 1860, gui se refere non seuloment au cas de desertion, mais aussi a toutes les matieres de contraventions disciplinaires gui peuvent avoir lieu a bord dcs navires etrangers dans les eaux de la Nouvelle Zelande. II est necessaire de faire remarquer que l'ltalie ne se trouve pas comprise parmi les nations gui ont declare accepter la loi dv 24 Septembre, 1860, soit en consequence de I'Article 14 de cette meme loi gui etablit que l'aceeptation en etait facultative et non obligatoire, soit pour que cette loi contenait dcs dispositions incompatibles avec les lois et les reglements dv Eoyaume d'ltalie. Dans cet etat de choses d'apres le desir gui vient de rn'etre exprime par S. E. le Commandeur Malegan, j'ai l'honneur de m'addresser a la bienveillante courtoisie de V. E. en sa priant de vouloir bien faire parvenir a la connaissance dv Gouvernement de la Nouvelle Zelande les considerations suivantes: Notre droit de demander l'arrestation de matelots deserteurs clans cette colonie existe independamment dcs dispositions de la loi speciale promulgee dans la Nouvelle Zelande ; en efl'et il est fonde sur l'Ordonnance ci-dessus, celui de S. M. la Eeine, en date de l'annee 1863, laquelle soit pour le but general qu'elle se propose, soit aussi par les termes dans lesquels elle est conyue peut etre presquo considered comme une convention entre Italic et la Eoyaume Uni applicable egalement a tous les domains de la Grande Bretague. A l'appui de ces observations, je pouvais faire remarquer a V. E. que dans les autres Colonies de l'Australie ou sont aussi en vigueur dcs lois analogues a celle de la Nouvelle Zelande les autorites locales u'ont jamais conteste a nos Agents Consulaires le droit de requerir l'arrestation dcs matelots deserteurs dcs batiments Italiens, et n'ont jamais oppose a notre demande la condition prealable d'accepter les articles dcs lois coloniales respectives. Dans l'espoir que V. E. voudra bien prendre en consideration avec son obligeance bien connue cc que je viens d'avoir l'honneur de lvi exposer, Je saisis, &c, S. E. M. le Comte de Derby, &c, &c. Menabhea.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. At the Court at Windsor, the 11th day of June, 1863. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Whereas by " The Foreign Deserters Act, 1852," it is provided that, whenever it is made to appear to Her Majesty that due facilities are or will be given for recovering and apprehending seamen who desert from British merchant ships in the territories of any Foreign Bower, Her Majesty may, by Order in Council, stating that such facilities are or will be given, declare that seamen, not being slaves, who desert from merchant ships belonging to a subject of such Power, when within Her Majesty's dominions, shall be liable to be apprehended and carried on board their respective ships, and may limit the operation of such order, rind may render the operation thereof subject to such conditions and qualifications, if any, as may be deemed expedient: And whereas it hath been made to appear to Her Majesty that due facilities will be given for recovering and apprehending seamen (not being Italian subjects) who desert from British merchant ships, in the territories belonging to His Majesty the Eing of Italy : Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by virtue of the powers vested in her by the said " Foreign Deserters Act, 1852," and by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, is pleased to order and declare, and it is hereby ordered and declared, that, from and after the publication hereof in the London Gazette, seamen, not being slaves (and not being British subjects) who desert from merchant ships belonging to subjects of the King of Italy, within Her Majesty's dominions, shall be liable to be apprehended and carried on board their respective ships : Provided always that, if any such deserter has committed any crime in Her Majesty's dominions, he may be detained until he has been tried by a competent Court, and until his sentence (if any) has been fully carried into effect. And Her Majesty, by virtue of the powers vested in her by the said " Foreign Deserters Act, 1852," and by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, is further pleased to order and declare that, npon and after the publication hereof in the London Gazette, the Order in Council relating to seamen who desert from merchant ships belonging to subjects of the King of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies made by virtue of the said Act on the 19th day of August, 1853, and published in the London Gazette on the 23rd day of August, 1853, and the Order in Council relating to seamen who desert from merchant ships belonging to subjects of the King of Sardinia, made by virtue of the said Act on the 10th day of March, 1855, and published in the London Gazette on the 13th day of March, 1855, shall be revoked, and the same are hereby revoked accordingly. And the Eight Honorable the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, and the Secretary of State for India, in Council, are to give the necessary directions herein accordingly.

No. 2. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marqxus of Normanby. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 7th December, 1877. I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of an Order of the Queen in Council, dated the 28th December, 1866, applying " The Eoreign Deserters Act, 1852," to the Kingdom of Madagascar.

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This order appears to have been sent out in original to the Governor of Mauritius, without any steps having been taken at the time to communicate it to the rest of the colonies. It is therefore now forwarded for your information, and for publication in the colony under your Government. I have, &c, CARNARVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanbv, G.C.M.G, &c, &c.

Enclosure in No. 2. At the Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, the 28th day of December, 1866. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. W^iiereas by " The Foreign Deserters Act, 1852," it is provided that, whenever it is made to appear to Her Majesty that due facilities are or will be given for recovering or apprehending seamen who desert from British merchant ships in the territories of any Foreign Power, Her Majesty may, by Order in Council, stating that such facilities are or will be given, declare that seamen, not being slaves, who desert from merchant ships belonging to such Power when within Her Majesty's dominions, shall be liable to be apprehended and carried on board their respective ships, and may limit the operation of such order, and may render the operation thereof subject to such conditions and qualifications, if any, as may be deemed expedient: And whereas it has been made to appear to Her Majesty that duo facilities are given for recovering and apprehending seamen wdio desert from British merchant ships in the territories of Her Majesty the Queen of Madagascar : Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by virtue of the powers vested in her by the said " Foreign Deserters Act, 1852," and by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, is pleased to order and declare, and it is hereby ordered and declared, that, from and after the publication hereof in the London Gazette, seamen, not being slaves, and not being British subjects, who within Her Majesty's dominions desert from merchant ships belonging to the Kingdom of Madagascar, shall be liable to be apprehended and carried on board their respective ships: Provided always that, if any such deserter has committed any crime in Her Majesty's dominions, he may be detained until he has been tried by a competent Court, and until his sentence (if any) has been fully carried into effect. And the Eight Honorable the Earl of Carnarvon, the Eight Honorable Viscount Cranborne, and the Eight Honourable Spencer Horatio Walpole, three of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, are to give the necessary directions accordingly. Edmund Harrison.

No. 3. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 15th December, 1877. With reference to my circular despatch of the sth February last, I have the honor to inform you that I have received a communication from the Earl of Derby, stating that the intention at one time announced by the Austro-Hungarian Government to conclude a new Treaty of Commerce with this country, with full j>rovisions on all matters usually comprised in such treaties, has not been carried into effect. Instead of this course, it has been found advisable to prolong the duration of the treaty concluded for the term of one year on the sth of December, 1876, of which copies were enclosed in my circular despatch above referred to. That treaty has now been prolonged indefinitely, the two Powers reserving to themselves the usual right to terminate it upon twelve months' previous notice. It will be remembered that its stipulations provide for most favoured nation treatment, without specific provisions in regard to details of tariff. I have, &c, CARNARVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G, &c, &c.

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No. 4. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 11th December, 1877. I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from Dr. Wines, President of the International Penitentiary Commission, enclosing a copy of a circular letter which he has addressed to Governments relative to the Congress which it is proposed to hold in Stockholm during the latter half of August, 1878, and requesting to be furnished with information respecting prisons and prison discipline, &c, for publication in a work which he hopes io prepare in time to lay before the meeting of the Congress. I trust that those colonies which have not already furnished any reports to myself or Dr. Wines, in compliance with my circular despatch of the 9th of March last, will furnish them before the contemplated Congress, and that those colonies which have furnished reports will supplement them by any additional facts or statistics which it may be considered desirable to place before Dr. Wines. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government of CARNARVON. New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 4. Dr. Wines to the Earl of Carnarvon. My Lord, — Irvington-on-Hudson, N.Y., 24th August, 1877. I have had the honor to receive, through your Lordship's courtesy, two additional reports from Downing Street, and one direct from the colonial authorities at Singapore, for all which I again return my warmest thanks. I am in this way gathering a rich accumulation of material for a work I am contemplating under the title of '•' State of Prisons and of Prison Discipline and Reform throughout the Civilized World.''' I hope to get this work prepared and printed before the meeting of the Congress, and I feel, very sensibly, that I shall be under the greatest possible obligation to your Lordship for the information contained in it. lam extremely anxious that, if possible, no nook or corner of the civilized world shall be without some record of the actual state of the'prison question therein. I suppose that most of the more important of the English colonies have already sent in their reports. But I greatly desire to have something from every one, however small the colony, and however short the report, even if the latter does not exceed a dozen lines. By the way, I believe that in 1866 or 1867, in answer to a set of questions sent out by the Home Department, reports were made by all, or nearly all, the colonies, on the then state of their prisons and prison systems. I would he very much obliged if your Lordship will kindly furnish me with a copy of the Blue Book in which those reports were printed. I have just issued a circular letter to Governments in relation to the Congress, a copy of which I herewith enclose. Of this circular I also forward fifty copies by book-post, thinking that possibly your Lordship might think it worth while to forward copies to the authorities of the several colonial possessions of Her Majcstjr the Queen. In the same package arc likewise done up copies of two circular letters addressed within the past few months to my colleagues on the Permanent Commission, which I think I have not heretofore sent to your Lordship, and which will put you cm courant of matters relating to the postponement of the Congress to 1878. If your Lordship would not think it too much trouble, I would feel inexpressedly obliged if you would make another effort to secure reports from the other colonies in Her Majesty's dominions. I would also be glad to be informed how reports may be obtained from the various departments (Presidencies I believe they are called) of the great British East Indian Empire. I have, &c., The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon, &c. E. C. Wines.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 4. International Penitentiary Congress to be held in Stockholm during the latter half of August, 1878. The exact date of opening to be hereafter announced by the Swedish Government. (A Circular Letter addressed to Governments.) Sir, — Irvington-on-Hudson, New York, 18th August, 1877. As President of the Permanent International Penitentiary Commission, created by the Congress of London, in 1872, I had the honor, in September of last year, to address a letter to

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your Excellency, inviting official representation on the part of your Government in the Congress proposed at that time to be held at Stockholm in August, 1877. Circumstances, over which the Commission had no control, afterwards occurred that made an adjournment of the Congress to a later date a necessity. It is only now that I learn, from the correspondence hereto annexed, the definite action of the Government of Sweden and Norway, and I hasten to communicate it to your Excellency, although, doubtless, you will already have been informed of the same by a communication from that Government itself. The two following letters explain themselves : — 1. Letter to the undersigned from Count Lewenhaupt, Minister of Sweden and Norway accredited to the United Slates. Sir, — Washington, 6th August, 1877. I have the honor to inform you that I have been instructed to convey to the Government of the United States the invitation of the Government of the King to take part in the Penitentiary Congress at Stockholm in 1878, and that I have to-day, to that effect, addressed to His Excellency Mr. Evarts, Secretary of State, the note of which a copy is hereto annexed. Be pleased, Sir, to accept the assurance of my high consideration. C. Lewenhaupt, Dr. Wines. Minister of Sw rcden and Norway. 2. Letter to the Hon. Mr. Evarts, Secretary of State of the United Slates. Mr. Secretary,— Washington, Gth August, 1877. The International Penitentiary Commission having in its meeting at Brussels, in the month of March last, decided that the International Prison Congress, accepting the invitation addressed to it by the Government of the King, through Mr. Almquist, Director-General of Prisons for Sweden, and a member of the Commission, would convene at Stockholm during the second half of the month of August of next year (1878), the Government of the King has been instructed to communicate that fact to Foreign Governments. In discharging this duty, the Government of the King would express the hope that all the States of the civilized world will, by a numerous representation, testify, as well their interest in the high and important end which the Congress has in view, as their sympathy for the generous initiative taken by its President, Dr. Wines. On its part, the Government of the King will take all needful measures to facilitate the labours of the Congress. I have been instructed to inform your Excellency of the above facts, and also to say that the Government of the King would feel a special pleasure in seeing the Government of the United States represented on this occasion by one or several official delegates. Reserving to myself the communication, hereafter, of the exact date of the meeting of the Congress, I have the honor to renew to your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration. C. Lewenhaupt. His Excellency Mr. Evarts, Secretary of State, &c. This cordial invitation of the Swedish Government, addressed, as would seem, to all the civilized Governments of the world, fixes definitively the time and the place of the approaching Congress, and it must be a supreme necessity that would require or justify any change of either. The undersigned and his colleagues of the Commission earnestly hope that no disappointment, occasioned by the postponement of the Congress to 1878, will prevent your country from being officially represented therein. If your Excellency's Government, under the impression that the Congress would be held this year, shall have already sent a delegate or delegates to the Congress, the undersigned would venture to suggest and ask that such delegate or delegates may be permitted to remain abroad till the meeting of the Congress next year. Doubtless he or they may be employed very usefully to the home Government in visiting, inspecting, and examining penal, reformatory, and preventive institutions in the different countries of Europe, and so in collecting a mass of information beyond what would or could have been obtained by a mere attendance upon the sessions of the Congress; information that may be rendered extremely serviceable in any contemplated reorganization or improvement of such institutions in your own country. A large number of Governments have responded to my circular letter of last year, by the communication of extremely interesting and valuable papers to be laid before the Congress touching the present state of the prison question and of prison discipline and reform in their several countries, in the form of answers to the questions submitted in the said circular letter. To these Governments the undersigned, as well in the name of his colleagues as of himself, returns very sincere thanks, and earnestly requests that such Governments as have not yet replied to the questions will kindly do so as early as may be convenient, addressing their communications to the undersigned at " Irvington-on-Hudson, New York, U.S.A." W re are extremely anxious to have information on this subject from every civilized country on the globe —iv detail, if possible ; if not, in a summary statement, however short such statement may be. Awaiting a reply, I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's most obedient servant, E. C. Wines, President of the International Penitentiary Commission. To His Excellency the Minister in charge of the Penal Administration.

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No. 5

Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 48.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 20th December, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 51, of the 19th of October, forwarding a letter addressed to me by Mr. Thomson, the President of the Otago Convention, in reference to the answer of his previous communications which I had desired your Lordship to convey to him. I request that you will cause Mr. Thomson to be informed that I have received his letter, and that, on reference to the Parliamentary Papers laid before the Legislature of New Zealand in its session for the year 1876, he will learn that, before advising Her Majesty not to exercise her power of disallowance in respect of the Act " to provide for the Abolition of Provinces," I had satisfied myself that it was within the competency of the Colonial Legislature to pass such an Act. I do not feel called upon to make any further remarks upon Mr. Thomson's letter, beyond observing that it is not to be inferred that it is open to any individual in a colony to question the regulations under which it is required that communications to the Queen, or to Her Majesty's Government, shall be made through the Governor of the colony. I have, &c, Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, CARNARVON. G.C.M.G., &c., &c.

No. 6. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 4.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 3rd January, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 53, of the 14th of November, in which you desire me to inform you whether you are right in the opinion which you have expressed, that, under the Constitution of New Zealand, the Ministers so long as they retain office, and not the Governor, are solely responsible to Parliament for the acts of the Governor. The brief interval of two days between the receipt of your despatch and the departure of the mail, combined with an unusually heavy pressure of other business, compels me, however unwillingly, to postpone until the next opportunity the examination and review of the question which you have submitted for my decision; but I will not allow the mail to depart without informing you that I entirely approve your referring to me as Her Majesty's Minister any question which affects your conduct as Governor and representative of the Queen in New Zealand. I have, &c, CARNARVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G, &c, &c.

No. 7. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 6.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 7th January, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Despatch No. 55, of the 16th of November, enclosing for my information a copy of a memorandum which you have received from Sir George Grey, on behalf of your Ministers, advising you to dissolve Parliament, together with a copy of your reply; and I

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have to thank you for the full explanation with which you have accompanied these papers. I have, &c, CARNARVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c, &c.

No. 8. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 7.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 15th January, 1878. In my Despatch No. 4, of the 3rd instant, I acknowledged the receipt of your Despatch No. 53, of the 14th November, and I acquainted you that, while I found it necessary to postpone my examination of the question which you had submitted to me, I would not delay to inform you that I approved your referring to me, as Her Majesty's Minister, any question affecting your conduct as the Queen's representative in New Zealand. 2. The further consideration which I have been able to give to your despatch, and its enclosure, leaves no doubt in my mind that, as on the first perusal I was inclined to think, it is my duty, as the Minister responsible for advising the Queen on any matter connected with your conduct as Governor, to support the views which you have clearly and accurately expressed. These are briefly : Eirst, that under the Constitution of New Zealand the Governor is bound to communicate to the Secretary of State any difference of opinion which may arise with respect to his resj>onsibility in relation to the responsibility of his Ministers in any particular case; and, secondly, that, so long as the Ministers retain office, they, and. not the Governor, are solely responsible to the local Parliament for the Governor's acts. " ' 3. I do not understand how there can be any question as to the correctness of this statement of the position and duty of the Queen's representative! and the relations between the different branches of the Colonial Legislature; nor have I found in the papers before me any grounds for disputing the propriety of your application of these well-known principles of parliamentary government to the particular circumstances of the case which had occurred. 4. I am glad, indeed, to observe that the Ministers admit that they advised, and therefore are responsible for, your action in laying before Parliament the papers which included your memorandum of the 27th October; and, this being the case, the question whether the privileges of the House of Representatives had been infringed became really one as to whether the Ministers, in having tendered the advice which they gave to the Governor on the subject, bad infringed them. Their continuance in office is to be taken as showing that the House did not feel that there was any serious cause of complaint. I have, &c, Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, CARNARVON. G.C.M.G, &c.

No. 9. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 16th January, 1878. With reference to my circular despatch of the 3rd March, 1875, enclosing a copy of a treaty between Her Majesty and the Swiss Confederation for the mutual surrender of fugitive criminals, I have the honor to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your Government, a copy of a letter from the Eoreign Office, forwarding a copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister

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at Berne, enclosing a copy of a note from the Swiss Eederal Council, denouncing the treaty, and stating that they are ready to enter into negotiations with this country for a new treaty in which Article 111. of the present treaty should be revised and other emendations introduced. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CARNARVON. of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 9. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Foreign Office, sth January, 1878. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you, for the information of the Eari of Carnarvon, copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister at Berne, enclosing copy of a note from the Swiss Federal Council, denouncing the Treaty of Extradition of 31st March, 1874, between Great Britain and Switzerland, and stating that they arc ready to enter into negotiations with Great Britain for a new treaty, in which Article 111. of the present treaty should be revised and other emendations introduced. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Julian Pauncefotk. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 9. Mr. Cohbett to the Earl of Derby. My Lord, — Berne, 30th December, 1877. I have the honor to enclose copy of a note dated the 2.2nd instant, but which only reached my hand this day, addressed to me by the Federal Council, denouncing the Extradition Treaty of the 31st March-28th November, between Great Britain and Switzerland. The reasons, amongst others, given for this step are the melancholy results of the demand made for the extradition of Alfred Thomas Wilson. The Federal Council declares itself ready to enter into negotiations with Great Britain for a new treaty, in which Article 111. of the present treaty should be revised and other emendations introduced, and expresses the desire that the negotiations should take place at Berne. I have informed the Federal Council, in answer to this communication, that I had immediately forwarded copy of it to your Lordship. I have-, &c., The Earl of Derby, &c, &c. Edwin Corbett.

Berne, 22 Decembre, 1877. Les tristes experiences gui ont etc faites a l'occasion de la demande d'extradition presentee contre le nomme Alfred Thomas Wilson, prevenu de vol d'objets postaux pour une valeur d'environ fr.50,000, ont convaincu 1c Conseil federal suisse de la necessite de reviser le traite d'extradition conclu en 1874 entre la Suisse et la Grand Bretagne. L'Article 111. de cc traite interdit dune maniere absolve a chacune dcs deux parties contractantes de livrer a l'autre ses propres ressortissants gui se sont rendus coupables de crimes h l'etranger et gui ont reussi a se refugier dans leur patrie. L'autre part la legislation de la Grande Bretagne ne pcrmet pas de poursuivre le ressortissants dv pays gui ont commis dcs crimes a l'etranger, a moms que cc ne soit au detriment de sujets britanniques. En outre il parait necessaire d'introduire dans le traite une clause relative a la restitution dcs ohjets voles. II y aurait peut-etre encore d'autres ameliorations a y faire rentrer. Dans ces circonstances, le Conseil federal ne croit pouvoir mieux faire que d'user dv droit que lvi conferc Y Article XVII. dv traite d'extradition conclu le 31 Mars-28 Novembre, 1874, entre la Suisse et la Grande Bretagne, et de dehoncer cc traite, dans les conditions prevues par ledit article, tout en se declarant pret it entrer en negociations pour la conclusion dun nouveau traite ayant pour but la revision de l'Article 111. et d'autres dispositions encore dv traite aetuellement existant. Le Conseil federal prend la liberte d'exprimer le vceu que ces negociations aient lieu t\ Berne et pric Monsieur le Ministre Resident de S. M. Britannique en Suisse de bien vonloir communiquer it son Gouvernement la denonciation dv traite dont il s'agit, et de lvi faire savoir en temps utile les mesures gui auront etc ordonnees pour la conclusion dv nouveau traite. II saisit, cet., Le President de la Confederation Suisse, Heeb, Le Chancelier de la Confederation, Schiess.

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No. 10

Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (General.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 18th January, 1878. I laid before the Earl of Derby your Lordship's Despatch No. 49, of the 15th October last, relative to the wishes of your Government in regard to the new Treaty of Commerce between this country and France, and I have the honor to enclose a copy of the reply, from which your Lordship will perceive that the commercial negotiations between this country and France have been suspended since May last, and it is uncertain when they will be resumed. I have, &c.j CARNARVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c, &c.

Enclosure in No. 10. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Foreign Office, 31st December, 1877. I have laid before the Earl of Derby your letter of the 21st instant relative to the wishes of the Government of New Zealand in regard to the new Treaty of Commerce between this country and France. In reply, I am to state to you, for the information of the Earl of Carnarvon, that the negotiations between this country and France have been suspended since May last, and that it is uncertain when they will be resumed. I am further to state that, when the negotiations are resumed, Lord Derby will cause an article relative to colonies and foreign possessions to be proposed to the French Government, in conformity with the terms of the Colonial Office letter of the 14th of August last. I have, &c., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Julian Pauncefote.

No. 11. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 18th January, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a letter from the Eoreign Office, stating that Her Majesty's Government have concurred in the proposal of the Erench Government that the negotiations for a new Treaty of Commerce should continue to remain suspended. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CARNARVON; of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 11. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Foreign Office, January 10th, 1878. With reference to previous correspondence relative to the commercial negotiations between this country and France, I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you, to be laid before the Earl of Carnarvon, a copy of a despatch from Lord Lyons, in which he reports a proposal on the part of the French Government that these negotiations, which have been in abeyance since May last, shall continue to be suspended. I am to request that you will state that, under the circumstances, Her Majesty's Government have instructed Lord Lyons to express their concurrence in this proposal. Lord Derby will, however, he ready to consult Lord Lyons in regard to any matters connected with the Colonial Office which Lord Carnarvon may wish to be taken up, independently of the general negotiation. I am, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Julian Pauncefote, 2—A. 2.

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No. 12. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 19th January, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office, relative to the negotiation of a fresh Commercial Treaty between Great Britain and Italy, together with a copy of the reply which I have caused to be returned to the Foreign Office. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CARNARVON. of New Zealand.

Enclosure 1 in No. 12. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Foreign Office, 31st December, 1877. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to state to you, for the information of the Earl of Carnarvon, that in June, 1875, the Italian Government gave notice to terminate the Commercial Treaty of the 6th of August, 1863, between Great Britain and Italy; but that by successive declarations the duration of this treaty has been prolonged. According to present arrangements it will remain in force until the 31st of March next. It appears, by a despatch recently received from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Rome, that the Italian Government will probably propose to negotiate a fresh Commercial Treaty. Until definite proposals are received, Lord Derby is unable to state what alterations the Italian Government are likely to ask for in the terms of the present treaty. But, as far as his Lordship is able to judge, these alterations will not affect colonial interests, the point to which the Italian Government seem to attach chief importance being conditions relating to the tenure of land in Italy by foreigners. It will be seen from the present treaty, of which, for convenience of reference, a copy is enclosed, that its terms apply to all dominions and possessions of the two high contracting parties. I am accordingly to inquire, in view of negotiations which may be commenced at an early date, whether Lord Carnarvon would wish that, in any fresh Commercial Treaty, the stipulations relative to colonies and foreign possessions should be renewed, or whether they should be omitted, and an article, in the terms suggested in your letter of the 14th August last, be substituted for them. I am, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Julian Pauncefote.

Enclosure 2 in No. 12. The Colonial Office to the Foreign Office. Sir, — Downing Street, 18th January, 1878. I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, relative to the negotiation of a fresh Commercial Treaty between Great Britain and Italy, for which proposals may probably be made. In reply, I am to request that you will state to the Earl of Derby that, if the new treaty is in the same form as the existiug one, it should be made to apply to the British Colonies ; but that, if any important changes are introduced, Lord Carnarvon would wish to have an opportunity of considering them in relation to the colonies before expressing an opinion on the subject. I am to add that a copy of your letter and of their reply will be transmitted to the Governors of colonies possessing responsible government, for their information. I am, &c. The Under Secretary of State, Foreign Office. W r. R. Malcolm.

No. 13. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand^ (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 21st January, 1878. The Italian Government having represented that the authorities in New Zealand refused to assist in the apprehension of deserters from Italian merchant

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vessels, in accordance with the terms of the Order in Council of 11th June, 1863, extending the provisions of " The Foreign Deserters Act, 1852," to the Kingdom of Italy, I caused inquiries to be instituted into the matter, and it was found that the order in question, and all others passed under this Act previous to the year 1865, of which a list is given in the margin,* were not brought under the notice of this department at the time of their being passed, and consequently have never been communicated to the colonies. As these orders affect the whole of Her Majesty's dominions, and as it is of importance that the colonies should therefore be in possession of them, I have now obtained copies, and transmit a set herewith for your information, and for publication in the colony under your government. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CARNARVON. of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 13. At the Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, the 18th clay of August, 1852. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Whereas, by "The Foreign Deserters Act, 1852," it is provided that, whenever it is made to appear to Her Majesty that due facilities are or will be given for recovering and apprehending seamen who desert from British merchant ships in the territories of any Foreign Power, Her Majesty may, by Order in Council stating that such facilities are or will be given dec are that seamen, not being slaves, who desert from merchant ships belonging to a subject of such Power, when within Her Majesty's dominions or the territories of the East India Company, shall be liable to be apprehended and carried on board their respective ships ; and may limit the operation of such order, and may render the operation thereof subject to such conditions and qualifications, if any, as may be deemed expedient: And whereas it hath been made to appear to Her Majesty that due facilities have been oi will be given for recovering and apprehending seamen who desert from British merchant ships in the territories of the Emperor of all the Russias, the King of Sweden and Norway, and the Republic of Peru: .. , , jT ~ ~ -,-, Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by virtue of the powers vested m her by the said Foreign Deserters Act, 1852," and by and with the advice of her Privy Council, is pleased to order and declare, and it is hereby ordered and declared, that, from and after the publication hereof in the London Gazette, seamen, not being slaves, who desert from merchant ships belonging to subjects of any of the three Powers aforesaid, when within Her Majesty's dominions or the territories of the East India Company, shall be liable to he apprehended and carried on board their respective S And the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury and the Commissioners for the Affairs of India are to give the necessary directions herein accordingly. C. C. Greville.

No. 14. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. gIK _ UCU Downing Street, 22nd January, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you, for the information of your Government a copy of a draft article for applying commercial treaties to the British Colonies, which I have approved of for insertion in future Treaties of Commerce. I have, &c., The Officer Administering the Government of CARNARVON. New Zealand.

#1852- Peru Sweden, and Norway, Russia, Austria, Hanse Towns, Prussia. 1853 : Denmark, Oldenburg. 1854: MecUenfurg.Sch™; r irNXrLd°, H^oWFranoe. 1855: Belgium. 1856: Chu,. 18,7 :j Morocco and Fe*. 1860 : Spain, Nicaragua, Russia. 1863 : Italy, Salvador.

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Enclosure in No. 14. Draet Article applying Commercial Treaties to British anb Foreign Colonies. Article. The stipulations of the present treaty shall he applicable to the colonies and foreign possessions of the two high contracting parties named in this article. [Here insert names of those colonies, &c, to be included in the treaty.] The stipulations of the present treaty shall be also applicable to any colony or foreign possession of either of the two high contracting parties not included in this article, upon the conclusion by the two high contracting parties of a supplementary convention to that effect. In the latter case, the stipulations of the present treaty shall, subject to such modifications as may he agreed upon by the high contracting parties, from and after a date to be agreed upon, not later than six months from the date of the ratification of such supplementary convention, become as fully applicable to such colony or foreign possession as if it had been mentioned by name in the present article.

No. 15. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. My Lord, — Downing Street, 14th February, 1878. I have not failed to notice with the greatest satisfaction the accounts which have reached me, chiefly from unofficial sources, of the munificence which has been displayed in so many of Her Majesty's colonial possessions, in the contributions which have been made towards the funds for the relief of the sufferers by famine in India. The liberality which has been shown in the colonies has, I believe, far exceeded even that evinced on previous occasions, when calls of humanity have made themselves heard throughout the most distant portions of the British Empire, and has been peculiarly gratifying as an act springing from the spontaneous generosity of all classes of Her Majesty's subjects ; and I shall be obliged if you will be so good as to inform me what have been the actual amounts contributed by the colony under your government, and to supply me at the same time with any information on the subject which you may consider to be of interest. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c, &c.

No. IG. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to His Excellency the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 7.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 14th February, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you, for your information and for that of your Ministers, a copy of a letter addressed to this department by Sir P. G. Julyan with respect to the request made to him by your Government that he would act in conjunction with Sir Julius Vogel and Captain Ommanney, as Agents for the colony in this country for raising and managing the loans of £1,000,000 and £2,500,000 authorized by the New Zealand Loan Acts of 1876 and 1877. I also enclose a copy of the reply which I caused to be sent to Sir P. G. Julyan's letter, and I have to add that a copy of the letter to the Crown Agents of the 30th January, 1877, to which reference is made, was sent to you in my predecessor's despatch of the same date. I have, &c., M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c, &c.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 16. The Crown Agents to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Downing Street, London, 31st January, 1878. I have the honor to forward, for the Earl of Carnarvon's information, a letter addressed to me by the Treasurer of New Zealand, in which I am again solicited to act in conjunction with Sir Julius Vogel and Captain Ommanney as an Agent of the Government of that colony in this country for the special purpose of raising and managing loans of £1,000,000 and £2,500,000 authorized by "The New Zealand Loan Act, 187G," and "The New Zealand Loan Act, 1877," copies of which are enclosed. I also enclose warrants of appointment made by the Governor in Council in anticipation of my accepting this extra official service for the colon}-. The labours and responsibilities which a compliance with the request of the Government will entail are so considerable, that I might well ask to be excused from undertaking them, at a moment when my most experienced colleague, Mr. Sargeaunt, is absent in South Africa, and is not likely to return to my aid for some months yet to come; but, as it is evident that such a course would cause great delay, and perhaps be productive of serious financial embarrassments, I am quite prepared to make any personal sacrifice that may he called for, rather than expose the colony to such a risk; and if it is the Secretary of State's pleasure that Captain Ommanney and myself should assist the Colonial Government in this important matter, we do not despair of being able to do so effectively, however great the pressure on the Crown Agents' Department may become. Their office staff can, if necessary, be strengthened to meet whatever emergency may arise, but it by no means follows that the loans are to be placed in the market through the instrumentality of the Crown Agents' Department, because Captain Ominaiiney and myself form part of a Commission to determine how, when, and where they are to be dealt with. The enclosed documents being in original, it is requested that they may be returned. I have, &c, Robert G. W. Herbert, Esq., &c, &c, Colonial Office. P. G. Julyan.

Enclosure 2 in No. 16. The Colonial Office to Sir P. G. Julyan. Sir,— Downing Street, Bth February, 1878. I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st of January, enclosing a letter which you have received from the Government of New Zealand, requesting you to act in conjunction with Sir Julius Vogel and Captain Ommanncy as Agents for the colony in this country for raising and managing the 'loans of £1,000,000 and £2,500,000, authorized by the New Zealand Loan Acts of 1876 and 1877, 2. As Sir Michael Hicks Beach understands that great inconvenience would be caused to the colony if you and Captain Ommanney were prevented from acting on the present occasion, and as you have previoualy acted in a similar capacity, he will offer no objection to your accepting, with Captain Ommanney, the Agency for the Government of New Zealand now offered to you, on the terms stated in the letter addressed to the Crown Agents from this department on the 30th January, 1877. But the Secretary of State wishes you to understand that he proposes to give further consideration to the question whether the Crown Agents should in future be placed in a similar position, or can with advantage continue to conduct the business of colonies under responsible government. 3. If the business connected with the proposed loans is conducted throughout by the Crown Agents' Department, the office fund will, of course, be credited with the usual payment for such services. If, however, the loans are dealt with in such a manner as not to require the continued intervention of your department, it will be proper that some other consideration should be paid over to the same fund. 4. The enclosures to your letter are herewith returned. I am, &c, Sir P. G. Julyan, K.C.M.G., C.B. ' R. G. W. Herbert.

No. 17. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 8.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 15th February, 1878. I have received your Despatch No. 62, of the 10th of December. I approve the action taken by you in declining, under the circumstances which you

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record, to refuse your assent to the Land Act of the last session of the New Zealand Parliament. I have, &c, M. E. Hicks Beach. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G, &c.

No. 18. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor, (No. 9.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 15th February, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 63, of the 11th of December, enclosing a copy of your correspondence with Sir George Grey, in reference to the wish of your Ministers to obtain a dissolution of Parliament. I have read this correspondence with the care and attention which the subject demands, and I feel bound to express my dissent from the views which Sir George Grey has advanced, which would seem unduly to limit the prerogative of the Crown. The responsibility, which is a grave one, of deciding whether in any particular case it is right and expedient, having regard to the claims of the respective parties in Parliament, and to the general interests of the colony, that a dissolution should be granted, must, under the Constitution, rest with the Governor. In discharging this responsibility, the Governor will, of course, pay the greatest attention to any representations that may be made to him by those who at the time are his Constitutional Advisers; but, if he should feel himself bound to take the responsibility of not following his Ministers' recommendation, there can, I apprehend, be no doubt that both law and practice empower him to do so. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c, &c.

No. 19. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E.. Hicks Beach to the Officer Administering the Government of Neav Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 15th February, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that, the Government of Honduras having given the notice required in each case, the two following treaties between the Republic of Honduras and Great Britain will expire on the under-mentioned dates :— 1. That of January 6, 1874, relating to extradition, on the 28th instant; and 2. That of August 27, 1856, one of friendship, commerce, and navigation, on the 28th of August next. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 20. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 12.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 25th February, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, accompanied by copies of two despatches from the British Consul at

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Noumea, complaining of certain practices connected with the engagement of seamen at ports in New Zealand, and in New South Wales and Victoria. I request that you will bring these papers under the consideration of your Ministers, and ask them to obtain the explanation in the matter desired by the Board of Trade, so far as regards the colony under your Government. Similar despatches have been addressed to the Governors of New South Wales and Victoria. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G, &c„ &c.

Enclosure in No. 20. The Board of Trade to the Colonial Office, Seamen Abroad. Sir, — Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 18th February, 1878. I am directed by the Board of Trade to transmit herewith copies of two despatches received from Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Noumea, complaining of certain practices connected with the engagement of seamen at ports in New Zealand, New South Wales, and Victoria, and to request you to move Sir Michael Hicks Beach to obtain an explanation on the matter from the proper authorities. I have, &c, Thomas Gray. The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office, Downing Street.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 20. Consul Layard to the Board of Trade. Sir, — British Consulate, Noumea, loth December, 1877. In reply to your letter M. 13122, of the 11th of October last, I have the honor to acquaint you that I first obtained my information respecting the withdrawal of Form Discharge 1 from seamen, and the charge of a fee of five shillings for permission to ship, from a seaman being discharged from a New Zealand vessel on account of her sale at this port. His comrade confirmed his statement, as did the captain and two other masters of vessels, well known and respected here, who happened to be present, Messrs. Brady and Brown. They also told me that the same practice prevailed in Sydney and Victoria, and I think Adelaide also, but of this latter I am not quite sure. On the Sydney case occurring I determined to report to you, as I did in my despatch of the Bth August. There happens to be an Auckland vessel in the port now, and, on referring to her papers in my hands, I find one of the permits to re-ship alluded to, of which I annex a copy. It is torn from a " fly," as may be seen by the perforated edges, and all except the name of the man is printed. I cannot make out the shipping master's name, which occurs also in the articles, hut it is that of the Auckland port, The practice is not confined to one port, hut is the colonial custom. I have, &c, The Assistant Secretary, Marine Department, E. C. Layard. Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens. Copy of Permit to ship. (No. 6278.) (Fee five shillings.) New Zealand — Port of Auckland. Permit. Issued at the Customhouse, Port of Auckland. The bearer, Thomas Jones, has no certificate of discharge, but is permitted to re-employ himself.—2Bth November, 1877. (Signed) [Illegible], Shipping Master. Memo.—This is crossed, "Ada C. Owen," the name of the vessel in which the man has come here.—E. C. Layard, H.B.M. Consul.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 20. Sir, —■ British Consulate, Noumea, Bth August, 1877. Lately, when giving a British seaman a certificate of discharge (Dis. 1), as supplied by the Board of Trade, the man refused it, saying it would be of no use to him, and would be taken from him by the shipping master at the colonial port (Australian) whither he was going,

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and that he would be charged five shillings for a "permit to re-ship," besides the usual shipping fee, if he had no indorsement on the colonial form, which he exhibited. 2. The master of the vessel confirmed this, and added that any man shipping for the first time, or having lost his certificates, was charged five shillings for a " permit to ship." 3. I am not aware if this practice, which seems to prevail equally in New Zealand, is known to and approved by the Board of Trade. It appears to me that the shipping masters have no right to deprive a man of his certificates unless for misconduct, in the usual way, and I shall be glad to he furnished with instructions on this head. Neither can I find any authority in the Merchant Shipping Acts for the levying of the five shillings "permit fee." 4. I find great inconvenience from the fact that, in a " Form of Agreement with Crew," used by the colonies, there are no columns for the amount of wages paid to the men on leaving the ship, nor for their signatures in receipt thereof. I have always insisted on receipts being given on separate sheets, but these are liable to be lost. 5. Another improper custom is not infrequent: sailors are allowed to ship and sign articles on board, while in port, without going before the shipping master. In one instance that came before me no amounts of wages were enumerated, and my son, the Vice-Consul, fell in with a vessel in the New Hebrides with the crew in a state of mutiny, declaring that the agreement (" shipping on the day")was different to that which they had entered into not before the shipping master. I hope 1 have not stepped out of my province in bringing these things to notice. I have, &c, The Assistant Secretary, Commercial Department, E. C. Layard, Board of Trade. H.B.M. Consul.

No. 21. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (Circular.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th February, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you, for your information and for that of your Government, a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office, enclosing a communication Avhich has been received from the French Ambassador at this Court with reference to the intentions of Her Majesty's Government in respect of the New Hebrides Group, together with a copy of the reply which I caused to be addressed to the Foreign Office. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. G.C.M.G., &c. &c.

Enclosure 1 in No. 21. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Foreign Office, Ist February, 1878. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you, herewith, to be laid before Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a communication received from the French Ambassador at this Court, calling attention to certain articles which have recently appeared in the Australian newspapers advocating the annexation of the Islands of the New Hebrides to the British Crown, and stating that, although the French Government do not attach any great importance to this movement in favour of annexation, still, as they themselves have no intentions with regard to this group, they would be glad to receive an assurance to this effect from Her Majesty's Government. I am now to state that Lord Derby proposes, with the concurrence of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, to inform the French Ambassador, in reply to His Excellency's communication, that Her Majesty's Government have no intention of proposing any measures to Parliament with a view of changing the condition of independence which the New Hebrides now enjoy. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V. Lister.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 21. The Marquis D'Harcourt to the Earl of Derby. M. le Comte,— Amhassade de France, le 18 Janvier, 1878. II s'est etabli entre 1' ile de la Nouvelle Caledonie et le groupe dcs Nouvelles Hebrides dcs rapports d'ordre commercial gui se sont rapidement developpes, en raison de leur voisinage,

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et gui presentent pour la prosperite de notre etahlissement colonial une importance considerable. Mon Gouvernement, gui attache beaucoup de prix a gui ces relations continuent sur le meme pied, se preoccupe dans une certaine mesure dun mouvement d'opinion gui se serait produit en Australie dans cc dernier temps. Les journaux de cc pays auraient denoue l'intention qu'ils attribuent a la France de reunion dcs Nouvelles Hebrides a ses possessions, et demanderaient, qu'afin de prevenir cette eventualite, l'Archipel dont il s'agit fut place sous la souverainete de la Couronne d'Angleterre. Sans attacher a cc mouvement de l'opinion une tres-grande importance, mon Gouvernement tient toutefois a declarer que pour cc gui le concerne il n'a pas le projet de porter atteinte k l'independance dcs Nouvelles Hebrides, et il serait heureux de savoir que de son cote le Gouvernement de sa Majeste est egalement dispose a en respecter. Veuillez, &c, S. E. le Comte de Derby, &c. D'Harcourt.

Enclosure 2 in No. 21. The Colonial Office to the Foreign Office. Sir, — Downing Street, 20th February, 1878. In reply to your letter of the Ist instant, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acquaint you that he concurs in the terms of the reply which the Earl of Derby proposes to give to the inquiry of the French Ambassador at this Court with reference to the intentions of Her Majesty's Government in respect of the New Hebrides Group. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Foreign Office. W. R. Malcolm.

No. 22. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 16.) My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist April, 1878. In reply to your Despatch No. 10, of the Ist February, I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office, which will inform your Government of the steps which Her Majesty's Government have taken for conveying to the Government of the United States the thanks of the Colony of New Zealand for the manner in which salmon ova have been sent to the colony by the United States Fishery Commission. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c, &c.

Enclosure in No. 22. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir,— Foreign Office, 30th March, 1878. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, together with its enclosure, requesting that the thanks of the Government of New Zealand may be conveyed to the Government of the United States for the very handsome and effective manner in which salmon ova have been shipped to New Zealand by the United States Fishery Commission; and I am to state to you, in reply, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that Her Majesty's Minister at Washington has been instructed to give effect to the wishes of the Colonial Government. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Julian Pauncefote.

No. 23. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to the Oppicer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 12th April, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office, enclosing a copy of a letter from the Chinese Minister at this Court rela3—A. 2.

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tive to the appointment by the Emperor of China of Chinese Consuls to reside in various parts of the Queen's dominions, and the draft of a proposed reply to that communication, in which I have expressed my concurrence. I have to request that you will furnish me with the views of your Ministers with reference to the appointment of a Chinese Consul in the colony under your Government. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure 1 in No. 23. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir,— Foreign Office, 18th March, 1878. • ' lam directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you, to be laid before Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Chinese Minister at this Court, relative to the question of the appointment by the Emperor of China of Consuls to reside in various parts of the Queen's dominions, and also a draft of a proposed reply to that communication. lam to request that you will move Sir Michael Hicks Beach to favour Lord Derby with his views upon the subject of the Chinese Minister's letter, and especially with reference to the appointment of Chinese Consuls in the Australian Colonies. I am, &c., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Julian Pauncefote.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 23. The Chinese Minister, London, to the Earl of Derby. My Lord, — Chinese Legation, 2nd January, 1878. I had the honor, on the 23rd July last, to receive a despatch from your Lordship relative to the proposed appointment of a Chinese Consul at Singapore, and stating that (whilst there was no objection to the present appointment) the maintenance of the post of Chinese Consul, should a vacancy occur at any future time, must be regarded as an open matter. Upon the receipt of this communication I reported its contents to the Chinese Isungly Yamen. To my report a reply has now been received. The Yamen observes that China now seeks for the first time to establish Consulates in England, and that according to your Lordship's despatch it would seem that China has not the independent power permanently to establish these Consulates. In China, when any foreign country wishes to establish a Consulate, the Yamen, upon the receipt of a representation to that effect from the Resident Minister, immediately issues all the necessary notifications. If, then, when China wishes on her part likewise to establish Consulates in foreign countries, she can only do so temporarily, and not permanently, it would seem as if she were unfairly treated. I am, therefore, instructed to make to your Lordship a representation on the subject. According to international law, each country is permitted to appoint Consuls to protect the interest of its nationals residing in other countries, and to assist in the settlement of disputes between them and the natives of those countries. China, up to the present, had not established Consulates ; but, as she has now appointed, a liesident Minister in England, she must in all matters be guided by international law. In the treaties which China has exchanged there is no mention made of the establishment of Consulates, nor is there any either made of the appointment of Resident Ministers. The appointment of Ministers and the establishment of Consuls, therefore, should not he regarded in different lights, but should be governed by the same conditions. I would also add that, although China hitherto in the administration of commercial affairs has not been so forward as other countries, yet it is her duty to overlook her subjects in foreign countries, and to prevent, as far as possible, disputes and disturbances from arising. Last year, whilst on my way to England, I passed through Singapore, and during an interview which I had with Mr. Ho-ah-Kay I discussed with him local matters.. As a result of this conversation I asked your Lordship to consent to his appointment as Consul. I have also learned from the newspapers that within the last few months the Chinese residing In Australia have had frequent disputes, but I have refrained from troubling your Lordship about this matter, because lam not familiar with all the circumstances. It would seem, however, that a Resident Consul is also required there, in order that it may be discovered what is advantageous to the Chinese and what is against their interests, and disturbances prevented.

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This appointment would promise to he a favourable measure. As the accredited Minister of China I cannot but draw your Lordship's attention to these matters, which, in my judgment, ought to be attended to. I beg your Lordship to favour me with a reply at your earliest convenience. I have, &c., The Right Hon, the Earl of Derby, &c. &c. Kuo Sung-Tao.

Enclosure 2 in No. 23. (Copy.—Draft.) Sir, — Foreign Office, March, 1878. I have had under my consideration your letter of the 2nd January, relative to the question of the appointment by the Emperor of China of Consuls to reside in various parts of the Queen's dominions, and I have now the honor to make certain observations thereupon. You state that according to international law each country is permitted to appoint Consuls to protect the interests of its nationals residing in other countries, and to assist in the settlement of disputes between them and the natives of those countries; but I would remind you that in the present instance the question is not one of internationallaw, because the relations of China with the rest of the world are not founded on the comity of nations, but are the result of peculiar and exceptional treaty stipulations. China, unlike Great Britain and the other Treaty Powers, has not thrown open her country to foreigners and to foreign commerce, and she can hardly, therefore, appeal to the example of European nations in applying for the concession now sought. With reference to that portion of your letter in which you say that "in the treaties which China has exchanged there is no mention made of the establishment of Consulates, nor is there any either made of the appointment of Resident Ministers," I have to point out to you that, while special provision is made by Articles 11. and VI. of the Treaty of 1858 between Great Britain and China for the appointment of a Chinese diplomatic representative at this Court, no stipulation is contained therein for the appointment of Chinese Consuls. Nevertheless, Her Majesty's Government, in consenting to the appointment of a Chinese Consul at Singapore, have shown a disposition to meet the wishes of the Imperial Government so far as they can properly do so, having regard to all the considerations involved; but I think it right to impress upon you that, whether at Singapore or elsewhere in Her Majesty's dominions, the fact of a large Chinese population being resident there will in no way entitle a Chinese Consul to other or larger powers than are conceded to the Consul of any other nationality.

No. 24 Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to the Oppicer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) gTR,— Downing Street, 3rd May, 1878. Circumstances have recently occurred in one of the colonies, which show that it is desirable to define more precisely than has been done by my predecessor's circular despatch of the 20th of July, 1875, the extent to which Her Majesty's ships are subject to local quarantine regulations. Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that, so far as relates to communication with the shore and with the shipping in colonial waters, Her Majesty's ships should be subject to local quarantine regulations in the same manner as merchant ships, but that local authorities should not in any way interfere with the internal management of Her Majesty's ships, or with their freedom to proceed to sea whenever the officer in command may deem such course requisite. I have therefore to request that your Government will issue instructions in the above sense to the quarantine authorities in the colony under your Government. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

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No. 25.

Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, sth May, 1878. With reference to my predecessor's circular despatch of the 4th December last, I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Post Office, stating that for the reasons given it has been decided to postpone the meeting of the Telegraphic Conference, which was fixed for the Ist of July next, until the 2nd of June, 1879. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 25. The General Post Office to the Colonial Office. Sir,— General Post Office, London, 26th April, 1878. With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the Telegraph Conference, which was fixed for the Ist of July next, I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that it has been decided to postpone the meeting of the Conference until the 2nd of June, 1879, and I am to request that you will be so good as to move Sir Michael Hicks Beach to notify the postponement to the colonies concerned. I am further to ask that Sir Michael Hicks Beach—if he sees no objection—will have the goodness to inform those colonies that the decision has been arrived at in deference to what Lord John Manners believes to he the general desire of the Telegraph Administrations —a desire in which the British Post Office joins—for the following amongst other reasons : — Ist. That there is not sufficient time before the Ist of July next to formulate and examine the important propositions for reducing the tariffs of which notice has been given. 2nd. That the Telegraph Conference would follow too closely the Postal Congress, the sittings of which are to commence on the Ist proximo; and— 3rd. That the state of affairs on the Continent is unsettled. I am to add that Lord John Manners will be much obliged if Sir Michael Hicks Beach will issue his notification at as early a date as may be convenient. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. John Tilley.

No. 26. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 21.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 17th May, 1878. I have received, and have read with much interest, your Despatch No. 13, of the 27th March, respecting your recent visit to the Thames and Waikato Districts of the colony. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G, &c.

No. 27. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to the Opficer Administrating the Government of New Zealand. Sir,— Downing Street, 29th May, 1878. With reference to my predecessor's circular despatch of the 2nd March last, I have the honor to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your government, a copy of a further notice which has been published in the London

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Gazette relative to the Commercial Treaty between this country and the Sandwich Islands. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 27. [Extract from the Loudon Gazette of Tuesday, 14th May, 1878.] Foreign Office, 14th May, 1878, Major Wodehouse, Her Majesty's Commissioner and Consul-General at Honolulu, has reported that the Hawaiian Government withdraw the notice to terminate Articles V. and VI. of the treaty of July 10, 1851, between Great Britain and the Sandwich Islands. The notice to terminate Article IV. of that treaty, as announced in the London Gazette of 19th February, 1878, is maintained.

No. 28. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 30th May, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your government, a copy of a treaty between Her Majesty and the President of the Erench Republic for the mutual surrender of fugitive criminals, as well as a copy of the Order in Council of the 16th instant for carrying that treaty into effect. 2. It will be observed that the treaty comes into operation on the 31st instant. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 28. [Extracts from the London Gazette of Tuesday, 21st May, 1878.] At the Court at Windsor, the 16th day of May, 1878. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Whereas by an Act of Parliament made and passed in the session of Parliament holden in the thirty-third and thirty-fourth years of the reign of Her present Majesty, intituled "An Act for amending the Law relating to the Extradition of Criminals," and also by an Act of Parliament made and passed in the session of Parliament holden in the thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh years of the reign of Her present Majesty, intituled " An Act to amend ' The Extradition Act, 1870,' " it was amongst other things enacted that, where an arrangement has been made with any Foreign State with respect to the surrender to such State of any fugitive criminals, Her Majesty may, by Order in Council, direct that the said Acts shall apply in the case of such Foreign State; and that Her Majesty may, by the same or any subsequent order, limit the operation of the order, and restrict the same to fugitive criminals who are in or suspected of being in the part of Her Majesty's dominions specified in the order, and render the operation thereof subject to such conditions, exceptions, and qualifications as may be deemed expedient: And whereas a treaty was concluded on the fourteenth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, between Her Majesty and the President of the French Republic, for the mutual extradition of fugitive criminals, which treaty is in the terms following : — Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the President of the French Republic, having recognized the insufficiency of the provisions of the treaty concluded on the 13th of February, 1843, between Great' Britain and France, for the reciprocal extradition of criminals, have resolved, by common accord, to replace it by another and more complete treaty, and have named as their respective Plenipotentiaries for this purpose, that is to say, — Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, —The Right Honorable Richard Bickerton Pemell Lord Lyons, a Peer of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, one of Her

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Britannic Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council, and Her said Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Government of the French Republic, &c, &c, &c.; And the President of the French Republic,-—-M. le Due Decazes, Member of the Chamber of Deputies, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grand Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honor, &c, &c, &c.; !""*"'" " Who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers (found in good and due form), have agreed upon the following articles:— Article I. The high contracting parties engage to deliver up to each other those persons who are being proceeded against or who have been convicted of a crime committed in the territory of the one party, and who shall be found within the territory of the other party, under the circumstances and conditions stated in the present treaty. Article 11. Native-born or naturalized subjects of either country are excepted from extradition. In the case, however, of a person who, since the commission of the crime or offence of which he is accused, or for which he has been convicted, has become naturalized in the country whence the surrender is sought, such naturalization shall not prevent the pursuit, arrest, and extradition of such person, in conformity with the stipulations of the present treaty. Article 111. The crimes for which the extradition is to be granted are the following:— 1. Counterfeiting or altering money, and uttering counterfeit or altered money. 2. Forgery, counterfeiting or altering and uttering what is forged, counterfeited, or altered. 3. Murder (including assassination, parricide, infanticide, and poisoning) or attempt to murder. 4. Manslaughter. 5. Abortion. 6. Rape. 7. Indecent assault, acts of indecency even without violence upon the person of a girl under twelve years of age. 8. Child-stealing, including abandoning, exposing, or unlawfully detaining. 9. Abduction. 10. Kidnapping and false imprisonment. 11. Bigamy. 12. Wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm. 13. Assaulting a Magistrate, or peace or public officer. 14. Threats by letter or otherwise with intent to extort. 15. Perjury or subornation of perjury. 16. Arson. 17. Burglary or house-breaking, robbery with violence. 18. Fraud by a bailee, banker, agent, factor, trustee, or director, or member, or public officer of any company made criminal by any Act for the time being in force. 19. Obtaining money, valuable security, or goods by false pretences, including receiving any chattel, money, valuable security, or other property, knowing the same to have been unlawfully obtained. 20. Embezzlement or larceny, including receiving any chattel, money, valuable security, or other property, knowing the same to have been embezzled or stolen. 21. Crimes against bankruptcy law. 22. Any malicious act done with intent to endanger persons in a railway train. 23. Malicious injury to property, if the offence is indictable. 24. Crimes committed at sea:— (a.) Any act of depredation or violence by the crew of a British or French vessel against another British or French vessel, or by the crew of a foreign vessel not provided with a regular commission, against British or French vessels, their crews or their cargoes. (b.) The fact by any person being or not one of the crew of a vessel of giving her over to pirates. (c.) The fact by any person being or not one of the crew of a vessel of taking possession of such vessel by fraud or violence. (d.) Sinking or destroying a vessel at sea, or attempting or conspiring to do so. (c.) Revolt or conspiracy to revolt by two or more persons on board a ship on the high seas against the authority of the master. 25. Dealing in slaves in such manner as to constitute an offence against the laws of both countries. The extradition is also to take place for participation, either as principals or accessories, in any of the aforesaid crimes, provided such participation be punishable by the laws of both the contracting parties,

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Article IV. The present treaty shall apply to crimes and offences committed prior to the signature of the treaty; but a person surrendered shall not be tried for any crime or offence committed in the other country before the extradition, other than the crime for which his surrender has been granted. Article V. No accused or convicted person shall be surrendered, if the offence in respect of which his surrender is demanded shall be deemed by the party upon which it is made to be a political offence, or to be an act connected with (connexe a) such an offence, or if he prove to the satisfaction of the Police Magistrate or of the Court before which he is brought on habeas corpus, or of the Secretary of State, that the requisition for his surrender has, in fact, been made with a view to try or to punish him for an offence of a political character. Article VI. On the part of the French Government, the extradition shall take place in the following manner in France :— The Ambassador or other diplomatic agent of Her Britannic Majesty in France shall send to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in support of each demand for extradition, an authenticated and duly-legalized copy either of a certificate of conviction or of a warrant of arrest against a person accused, clearly setting forth the nature of the crime or offence on account of which the fugitive is being proceeded against. The judicial document thus produced shall be accompanied by the description of the person claimed, and by any other information which may serve to identify him. These documents shall be communicated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice, who, after examining the claim for surrender, and the documents in support thereof, shall report thereon immediately to the President of the Republic; and, if there is reason for it, a decree of the President will grant the extradition of the person claimed, and will order him to be arrested and delivered to the British authorities. In consequence of this decree, the Minister of the Interior shall give orders that search be made for the fugitive criminal, and, in case of his arrest, that he be conducted to the French frontier, to be delivered to the person authorized by Her Britannic Majesty's Government to receive him. Should it so happen that the documents furnished by the British Government with the view of establishing the identity of the fugitive criminal, and that the particulars collected by the agents of the French police with the same view, be considered insufficient, notice shall he immediately given to the Ambassador or other diplomatic agent of Her Britannic Majesty in France, and the fugitive* person, if he has been arrested, shall remain in custody until the British Government has been able to furnish further evidence in order to establish his identity or to throw light on other difficulties in the examination. Article VII. In the dominions of Her Britannic Majesty, other than the colonies or foreign possessions of Her Majesty, the manner of proceeding shall be as follows :-^- --(A.) In the case of a person accused : The requisition for the surrender shall be made to Her Britannic Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by the Ambassador or other diplomatic agent of the President of the French Republic, accompanied by a warrant of arrest or other equivalent judicial document, issued by a Judge or Magistrate duly authorized to take cognizance of the acts charged against the accused in France, together with duly-authenticated depositions or statements taken on oath before such Judge or Magistrate, clearly setting forth the said acts, and containing a description of the person claimed, and any particulars which may serve to identify him. The said Secretary of State shall transmit such documents to Her Britannic Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, who shall then, by order under his hand and seal, signify to some Police Magistrate in London that such requisition has been made, and require him, if there be due cause, to issue his warrant for the apprehension of the fugitive. On the receipt of such order from the Secretary of State, and on the production of such evidence as would, in the opinion of the Magistrate, justify the issue of the warrant if the crime had been committed in the United Kingdom, he shall issue his warrant accordingly. When the fugitive shall have been apprehended, he shall be brought before the Police Magistrate who issued the warrant, or some other Police Magistrate in London. If the evidence to be then produced shall be such as to justify, according to the law of England, the committal for trial of the prisoner if the crime of which he is accused had been committed in England, the Police Magistrate shall commit him to prison to await the warrant of the Secretary of State for his surrender; sending immediately to the Secretary of State a certificate of the committal and a report upon the case. After the expiration of a period from the committal of the prisoner, which shall never be less than fifteen days, the Secretary of State shall, by order under his hand and seal, order the fugitive

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criminal to he surrendered to such person as may be duly authorized to receive him on the part of the President of the French Republic. (B.) In the case of a person convicted : The course of proceeding shall be the same as in the case of a person accused, except that the warrant to be transmitted by the Ambassador or other diplomatic agent in support of his requisition shall clearly set forth the crime of which the person claimed has been convicted, and state the fact, place, and date of his conviction. The evidence to be produced before the Police Magistrate shall be such as would, according to the law of England, prove that the prisoner was convicted of the crime charged. (C.) Persons convicted by judgment in default or arret de contumace shall be, in the matter of extradition, considered as persons accused, and, as such, be surrendered. (D.) After the Police Magistrate shall have committed the accused or convicted person to prison to await the order of a Secretary of State for his surrender, such person shall have the right to apply for a writ of habeas corpus; if he should so apply, his surrender must be deferred until after the decision of the Court upon the return to the writ, and even then can only take place if the decision is adverse to the applicant. In the latter case the Court may at once order his delivery to the person authorized to receive him, without the order of a Secretary of State for his surrender, or commit him to prison to await such order. Article VIII. Warrants, depositions, or statements on oath, issued or taken in the dominions of either of the two high contracting parties, and copies thereof, and certificates of or judicial documents stating the facts of conviction, shall be received in evidence in proceedings in the dominions of the other if purporting to be signed or certified by a Judge, Magistrate, or officer of the country where they were issued or taken, provided such warrants, depositions, statements, copies, certificates, and judicial documents are authenticated by the oath of some witness, or by being sealed with the official seal of the Minister of Justice, or some other Minister of State. Article IX. A fugitive criminal may be apprehended under a warrant issued by any Police Magistrate, Justice of the Peace, or other competent authority in either country, on such information or complaint, and such evidence, or after such proceedings as would, in the opinion of the person issuing the warrant, justify the issue of a warrant if the crime had been committed or the prisoner convicted in that part of the dominions of the two contracting parties in which the Magistrate exercises jurisdiction : Provided, however, that, in the United Kingdom, the accused shall, in such case, be sent as speedily as possible before a Police Magistrate in London. He shall be discharged, as well in the United Kingdom as in France, if within fourteen days a requisition shall not have been made for his surrender by the diplomatic agent of his country in the manner directed by Articles 11. and IV. of this treaty. The same rule shall apply to the cases of persons accused or convicted of any of the crimes specified in this treaty committed on the high seas on hoard any vessel of either country which may come into a port of the other. Article X. If the fugitive criminal who has been committed to prison be not surrendered and conveyed away within two months after such committal, or within two months after the decision of the Court upon the return to a writ of habeas corpus in the United Kingdom, he shall be discharged from custody, unless sufficient cause be shown to the contrary. Article XL The claim for extradition shall not he complied with if the individual claimed has been already tried for the same offence in the country whence the extradition is demanded, or if, since the commission of the acts charged, the accusation, or the conviction, exemption from prosecution or punishment has been acquired by lapse of time, according to the laws of that country. Article XII. If the individual claimed by one of the two high contracting parties in pursuance of the present treaty should be also claimed by one or several other Powers, on account of other crimes committed upon their respective territories, his surrender shall be granted to that State whose demand is earliest in date; unless any other arrangements should be made between the Governments which have claimed him, either on account of the gravity of the crimes committed, or for any other reasons. Article XIII. If the individual claimed should be under prosecution or condemned for a crime or offence committed in the country where he may have taken refuge, his surrender may be deferred until he shall have been set at liberty in due course of law. In case he should be proceeded against or detained in such country on account of obligations contracted towards private individuals, his surrender shall nevertheless take place.

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Article XIV. Every article found in the possession of the individual claimed at the time of his arrest shall, if the competent authority so decide, be seized, in order to be delivered up with his person at the time when the surrender shall be made. Such delivery shall not be limited to the property or articles obtained by stealing or by fraudulent bankruptcy, but shall extend to everything that may serve as proof of the crime, and shall take place even when the surrender, after having been ordered, shall be prevented from taking place by reason of the escape or death of the individual claimed. The rights of third parties with regard to the said property or articles are nevertheless reserved. Article XV. Each of the high contracting parties shall defray the expenses occasioned by the arrest within its territories, the detention, and the conveyance to its frontier, of the persons whom it may have consented to surrender in pursuance of the present treaty. Article XVI. In the colonies and foreign possessions of the two high contracting parties the manner of proceeding shall be as follows : — The requisition for the surrender of a fugitive criminal Avho has taken refuge in a colony or foreign possession of either party shall be made to the Governor or chief authority of such colony or possession by the Chief Consular Officer of the other in such colony or possession ; or, if the fugitive has escaped from a colony or foreign possession of the party on whose behalf the requisition is made, by the Governor or chief authority of such colony or possession. Such requisitions may be disposed of, subject always, as nearly as may be, to the provisions of this treaty, by the respective Governors or chief authorities, who, however, shall be at liberty either to grant the surrender or to refer the matter to their Government. The foregoing stipulations shall not in any way affect the arrangements established in the East Indian Possessions of the two countries by the IXth Article of the treaty of the 7th March, 1815. Article XVII. The present treaty shall be ratified and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Paris as soon as possible. It shall come into operation ten days after its publication, in conformity with the laws of the respective countries. Either party may at any time terminate the treaty on giving to the other six months' notice of its intention. In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and have affixed thereto the seats of their arms. Done at Paris, this fourteenth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six. (1.5.) Lyons, (1.5.) Deoazes. And whereas the ratifications of the said treaty were exchanged at Paris on the eighth day of April last: Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, and in virtue of the authority committed to her by the said recited Acts, doth order, and it is hereby ordered, that, from and after the thirty-first day of May, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight, the said Acts shall apply in the case of the said treaty with the President of the French Republic. C. L. Peel.

No. 29. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 21.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 20th June, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 16, of the 30th April, enclosing a memorandum from Sir George Grey, with one from the Minister of Lands in reference to the large amount of grain produced in Canterbury and Otago last year, and available for exportation to this country in the event of war. I request that you will express to Sir George Grey my thanks for his having brought this information to the knowledge of Her Majesty's Government. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, . .. G.C.M.G., &c, &c, 4—A. 2.

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No. 30.

Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 31.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 29th July, 1878. I have the honor to convey to you Her Majesty's gracious confirmation and allowance of the Act of the Legislature of New Zealand intituled "An Act to provide for the Creation of New Zealand Consolidated Stock, and for making Arrangements with the Bank of England in relation thereto, and for other purposes," a transcript of which accompanied your Lordship's Despatch No. 4, of the Ith of January last. I have, &c. M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G, &c. &c.

No. 31. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 25.) My Lord,— Downing Street, Bth July, 1878. 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 your Lordship's Despatch No. 1, of the Ith January last, viz.:— No. 1. "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the No. 19. "An Act to amend 'The New Zealand Law Public Account to the Service of the Year ending Society Act, 1869 ;'" the Thirtieth day of June, One thousand eight No. 20. " An Act to amend ' The Conveyancing Ordinance hundred and seventy-eight;" Amendment Act, 1874 ;' " No. 2. "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Wo. 21. "An Act to make further provision for the EducaPublic Account to the Service of the Year ending tion of the People of New Zealand;" the Thirtieth day of June, one thousand eight No. 22. " An Act to make provision for the Apportionhundred and seventy-eight;" ment of Education Reserves for the purposes of No. 3. "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Primary and Secondary Education, and for setting Public Account to the Service of the Year ending apart Education .Reserves, and for the control and the Thirtieth day of June, One thousand eight management thereof j" hundred and seventy-eight;" No. 23. "An Act to amend 'The Public Health Act, No. 4. "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the 1876;'" Public Account to the Service of the Year ending No. 24. "An Act to amend 'The Gold-Mining Districta the Thirtieth day of June, One thousand eight Act, 1873 ;' " hundred and seventy-eight;" No. 25. "An Act to enable the Governor to sell and No. 5. "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the exchange certain Allotments of Land, and to Public Account to the Service of the Year ending apply the Proceeds of such Sales in Public linthe Thirtieth day of June, One thousand eight provements;" hundred and seventy-eight;" No. 26. "An Act to continue in office the Waste Lands No. 6. "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Boards of the several Land Districts of the Public Account to the Service of the Year ending Colony;" the Thirtieth day of June, One thousand eight No. 27. "An Act to amend ' The Financial Arrangements hundred and seventy-eight;" Act, 1876 ;' " No. 7. "An Act to amend 'The Disqualification Act, No. 28. "An Act to make provision for Regulating the 1876 ;' " Price of Lands of the Crown in New Zealand ;" No. 8. " An Act to rectify an Error made in certain cases No. 29. " An Act to regulate the Sale or other Disposal of in the Printing of Provincial Laws ;" the Lands of the Crown in New Zealand ;" No. 9. "An Act for taking an Account of the Population of No. 30. " An Act to make better provision for protecting New Zealand, and for collecting Statistical In- the interests of Her Majesty the Queen in the formation relating thereto ;" Purchase of Native Lands, and for Discontinuing No. 10. "An Act to consolidate and amend the Law re- the system of purchasing Native Lands on behalf lating to Friendly and other Societies ;" of Her said Majesty upon Commission ;" No. 11. "An Act to consolidate and amend the Law re- No. 31. "An Act to amend ' The Native Land Act, lating to Industrial and Provident Societies;" 1873 ;' " No. 12. "An Act for the Incorporation of Agricultural No. 32. An Act to authorize the Borrowing and Raising of and other Societies of a kindred nature ;" Money for Immigration and Construction of Public No. 13. " An Act to amend ' The Municipal Corporations Works, and for other purposes ;" Act, 1876;'" No. 34. "An Act to amend 'The Public Revenues Act, No. 14. "An Act to regulate the Slaughtering of Cattle 1867,' and the Acts amending the same ;" and the Supervision of Abattoirs and Slaughter- No. 35. " An Act to amend 'The Counties Act, 1876,' in houses;" certain particulars;" No. 13. " An Act to extend the time for the exercise of No. 36. "An Act to regulate the Vesting and the AdminisVolunteer Scrip, and for other purposes connected tration of the Public Reserves in the Colony ;" with certain past transactions relating to Lands No. 37. " An Act to amend ' The Marine Act, 1867 ;' " of the Crown;" No. 38. " An Act to amend ' The Stamp Act, 1875 ;' " No. 16. "An Act to amend the Laws with reference to No. 40. "An Act to provide for the Construction of Bankers' Books Evidence;" District Railways by Joint - Stock Companies No. 18. "An Act to amend 'The Rabbit Nuisance Act, formed for the purpose of constructing such 1876;'" Railways.;"

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No. 41. An Act to amend ' The Mining Companies Act, 1872;'" No. 42. An Act to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to Gold Fields;" No. 43. An Act to amend 'The Maori Real Estate Management Act, 1867 ;' " No. 44. " An Act relating to Destitute Persons, Illegitimate Children, and Deserted Wives and Children ;" No. 45. " An Act for the Protection of Fish and Fisheries in New Zealand;" No. 46. " An Act relating to Cemeteries ;" No. 47. " An Act to promote the Establishment and Support of Public Libraries ;" No. 48. " An Act for Preventing the Adulteration of Food or Drugs, and the Selling or Exhibiting for Sale Adulterated or Unwholesome Food or Drugs, of any kind ;" No. 49. "An Act to amend ' The Law Practitioners Act, 1861;'" No. 50. " 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-eight;" No. 51. " An Act to appropriate certain Sums of Money for the purposes of Immigration and Public Works ;" No. 52. " An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Consolidated Fund and other Moneys to the Service of the Year ending the Thirtieth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and seventyeight, and to appropriate the Supplies granted in this present Session." Local and Personal. No. 1. " The Auckland Highway Districts Validation Act;" No. 2. " An Act to amend ' Tho Wellington City Reserves Act, 1872;'" No. 3. " An Act to provide for the Management of a Public Domain for the Borough of Lyttelton ;" No. 4. " An Act to vest the Endowment of tho Timaru Mechanics' Institute, in the Provincial District of Canterbury, in Trustees, and to enable the Trustees to raise Money for the improvement of the same;" No. 5. "An Act to vest certain Reserves in the Trustees of the Oamaru Athenceum and Mechanics' Institute, and to provide for the Management of the said Reserves ;" No. 6. "An Act to vest certain Reserves in Port Chalmers, in the Provincial District of Otago, in tho Port Chalmers Mechanics' Institute;" No. 7. " An Act to authorize the Municipal Council of the Town of Port Chalmers to raise Money for the purpose of completing the Waterworks for the Supply of the Town and the Shipping of the Port with Water ;" No. 8. "An Act to amend 'The Dunedin Drill-shed Reserve Act, 1876;' " No. 9. "An Act to authorize the Municipal Council of tho Town of Invercargill to borrow a further sum of Fourteen Thousand Pounds for the purposes of the Gasworks of the Town ;" No. 10. " An Act to authorize the Sale of a portion of an Education Reserve at Waiwera, in the Provincial District of Otago ;" No. 11. " An Act to vest in the Corporation of the City of Dunedin, as a site for a Town Hall, a portion of Reserve No. 1, on the plan of the Town of Dunedin, now vested in the said Corporation, in trust for a Public Market for the City of Dunedin and its Inhabitants ;" No. 12. " An Act to vest certain Lands reserved as a Commonage, in the Town of Havelock, in Trustees ;" No. 13. "An Act to authorize the Governor to complete certain Unfulfilled Engagements relating to Land, and for that purpose to issue Crown Grants in certain cases;" No. 14. " An Act to reserve certain Lands in the Tokomairiro District, within the Provincial District of Otago, and to vest the same in trust for the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club ;" No. 15. " An Act to vest certain Reserves in the Town of Invercargill in Trustees ;" No. 16. "An Act to enable the Auckland Harbour Board to dispose of certain Lands reclaimed from the Foreshore in the Harbour of Auckland, and to amend the constitution of the Auckland Harbour Board;" No. 17. "An Act to declare the Qualification of Electors for the first Election of Members of the Boards of certain Road Districts in Otago j"

No. 18. "An Act to constitute the Ponsonby Highway District;" No. 19. "An Act to vest Section Sixteen, Block Two, in the Town of Lawrence, in the Lawrence Athenceum and Mining Institute, for the purposes of the said Institute ;" No. 20. "An Act to vest certain Lands now vested in the Governor in trust for certain Trustees ;" No. 21. "An Act to change the Purposes of some Reserves in the City of Dunedin, and to vest the same in the Education Board of the Otago Provincial District j" No. 22. " An Act to reserve, out of the Waste Lands of the Crown in the Provincial District of Canterbury, certain Lands as Compensation to certain Aboriginal Natives at Kaiapoi, known as the Kaiapoi Natives, and to make provision respecting the Title thereto and Dealings therewith j" No. 23. "An Act to extend certain provisions of 'The Municipal Corporations Act, 1876,' relating to Waterworks for and to Lighting the City of Dunedin, and to render the said Sections applicable to the Waterworks acquired by the Corporation of the City of Dunedin under the provisions of ' The Dunedin Waterworks Act, 1874,' and to the Gasworks acquired by the said Corporation under 'The City of Dunedin Borrowing Act, 1871,' 'The Dunedin Gas and Waterworks Loan Act, 1872,' and ' The City of Dunedin Gasworks Act, 1874 ;' " No. 24. "An Act to vest in the Borough of Lawrence certain Reserves within the said Borough ;" No. 25. " An Act to set aside a Reserve for the Public Libraries in the Peninsula County ;" No. 26. "An Act to vest certain Lands in the Lyttelton Harbour Board ;" No. 27. "An Act to vest in the Corporation of the City of Auckland, as ordinary Reserves, the Surplus of certain Lands acquired by the said Corporation for Water Supply purposes;" No. 28. "An Act to vest a certain parcel of Land at or near Kaiapoi in the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Kaiapoi, for the purposes of a Public Cemetery;" No. 29. "An Act to vest certain Lands in the Wanganui Harbour and River Conservators Board, and to empower such Board to borrow Money;" No. 30. "An Act to incorporate the Members of an Association in the Town of Havelock, in the Provincial District of Otago, known as 'The I T"velock Athenceum,' and to vest in such Association certain Land in the Town of Haveiock as a site for a Mechanics' Institute, and other real and personal Estate;" No. 31. "An Act to ratify and'confirm the raising of certain Sums of Money under 'The Wellington Loans Consolidation Act, 1876,' and to make provision for the Appropriation of portions thereof;" No. 32. " An Act to authorize the Governor to purchase certain pieces of Land at Wakapuaka, in the Provincial District of Nelson, for Telegraph Purposes ;" No. 33. "An Act to vest certain Reserves set aside for the Cromwell Athenceum in the Cromwell Athenceum ;" No. 31. " An Act to vest a certain Reserve in Mataura, in the Provincial District of Otago, in Trustees on trust for Recreation and other Purposes;" No. 35. " An Act to empower the Trustees of the Akaroa Public Library to exchange certain portions of Land in Akaroa for other adjoining Land;" No. 36. " An Act to amend ' The Christehurch District Drainage Act, 1875 ;' " No. 37. " An Act to authorize the Native Land Court to ascertain the Shares of Members of the Ngatiteau, Ngatiluranga, and Ngatirakau Hapus in the Himatangi Block, part of the Rangitikei-Mana-watu Block, and to subdivide the said Block ; and to authorize the Governor to issue Crown Grants ;" No. 38. "An Act to vest the site of the Qucenstown Athenceum, in the Provincial District of Otago, in Trustees, and to enable such Trustees to borrow and raise Money on the security of such Site and Buildings thereon for certain purposes, and to vest all Property belonging to the said Athenceum in such Trustees;" No. 39. "An Act to declare that certain Waterworks constructed in the Borough of Lawrence shall be deemed to have been constructed under ' Th« Municipal Corporations Act, 1876 ;' " No. 40. "An Act to vest tho Management of the New

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River Harbour in the Municipal Corporation of Invercargill;" No. 41. "An Act to amend 'The St. Andrew's Church (Wellington) Trustees Incorporation Act, 1873,' and to grant further Powers to the Trustees incorporated by the said Act;" No. 42. " An Act to amond ' The Wellington College Act, 1872;'" No. 43. " An Act to authorize and empower the Governor to stop up a Portion of a certain Public Street in the City of Dunedin, and to dispose of the Lands over which such Portion of such Public Street passed;" No. 44. "An Act to authorize the Governor to grant or otherwise assure to the body corporate of the County of Vincent certain Land in the Township of Clyde, and portion of Longstone Street, in the said Town;" No. 45. "An Act to authorize the Wanganui Gas 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 Wanganui and Suburbs with Gas ;" No. 46. "An Act to authorize the Hokitika Gas Company (Limited) to break up Streets and Bridges, and to lay down and place Pipes, Conduits, and Ser-vice-pipes, and to make and construct other Works for supplying the Town of Hokitika and its Vicinity with Gas;" No. 47. "An Act to authorize tho Governor to grant or otherwise assure to the Corporation of the Town of Port Chalmers certain Lands as Compensation for Town Belt Land taken for the Dunedin and Moeraki Railway, and for injury to Property belonging to the Corporation of such Town by such Railway;" No. 48. "An Act to vest certain Public Reserves in the Taranaki County Council;" No. 49. "An Act further to amend ' The Canterbury Rivers Act, 1870 ;' " No. 50. "An Act to authorize the Corporation of the City of Dunedin to consolidate certain Loans ;" No. 51. "An Act to provide for the Control and Management of the Auckland College and Grammar School;" No. 52. "An Act to provide for the Control and Management of the Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools;" No. 53. " An Act to authorize the Exchange of certain Land vested in the Church Property Trustees in the Provincial District of Canterbury, for certain Land formerly vested in the Superintendent of the late Province of Canterbury ;" No 54. "An Act to amend ' The Wellington Reserves Act, 1876;'" No. 55. "An Act to vest certain Land in the Provincial District of Otago in Trustees, as an Endowment for the purposes of an Athenceum ;" No. 56. "An Act to provide for the Maintenance and Management of the Otago Museum, and for the Endowment of the Dunedin Athenceum ;" No. 57. "An Act to vest certain Lands in the District of Wyndham in Trustees, for the Recreation of the Inhabitants of Wyndham ;" No. 58. " An Act to make Provision for the Division of the Okarito Road District into two Road Districts ;" No. 59. " An Act to alter the Boundaries of the Mount Cook Road District, in the Provincial District of Canterbury ;" No. 60. "An Act to enable the Governor to exchange certain Hospital Endowment Reserves in the Upper Waikato District for other Lands in the same District;" No. 61. " An Act to amend ' The Thames Water Supply Act, 1876;'" No. 62. "An Act to amend 'The Masterton and Greytown Lands Management Act, 1871;' " No. 63. " An Act to authorize the Granting to the Borough Council of the Town of Onehunga certain Lands ;" No. 64. " An Act to amend ' The Walsh and Others Pension Act, 1869 ;' " No. 65. " An Act to supplement and amend 'The Patea Harbour Board Act, 1876 ;' " No. 66. " An Act to vest certain Lands in the Bluff Har-

bour Board, and to empower such Board to borrow Money;" No. 67. "An Act to vest oertain Public Reserves in the Borough Council of New Plymouth ;" No. 68. "An Act to amend 'The New Plymouth Harbour Board Ordinance, 1875,' of tho Provincial Council of Taranaki;" No. 69. " An Act to provide for the Satisfaction of certain Land Orders issued by the New Zealand Company, and heretofore exercised in the Manawatu or Horowhenua Districts, within the aforesaid Company's Settlement of Wellington;" No. 70. " An Act to revive and continue certain Powers conferred on the Corporation of the Town of Napier by ' The Napier Swamp Nuisance Act, 1875 ;' " No. 71. "An Act to amend the Ordinances of the Pro vince of Taranaki intituled ' The Roads and Bridges Ordinance, 1858,' and ' The Roads and Bridges Amendment Ordinance, 1875 ;' " No. 72. " An Act to vest in the Municipal Corporation of the City of Nelson certain Waterworks and Gasworks in the City of Nelson ;' " No. 73. "An Act to render certain Lands in the Provincial Districts of Westland and Nelson, known as the Grey Coal Fields Reserves, Securities for the Construction of the Greymouth-Brunner Coal Field Railway, and certain Lands in the Provincial District of Nelson, known as the Buller Coal Field and Westport Colliery Reserves, Securities for the Construction of the Wcstport-Ngakawau Coal Field Railway, and to regulate the Sale, Leasing, Disposal, and Occupation of such Lands ;" No. 74. " An Act to amend 'An Act to promote the Use of the Rifie in the Province of Nelson,' passed by the Superintendent and Provincial Council of the late Province of Nelson ;" No. 75. " An Act to grant a Pension to John Danforth Greenwood, Esquire, late Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives ;" No. 76. "An Act to vest in Her Majesty the Real and Personal Property of the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works;" No. 77. " An Act to amend ' The Canterbury Roads Ordinance, 1872 ;' " No. 78. " An Act for vesting certain Reserves in tho Mayor, Councillors, and Citizens of Christ church ;" No. 79. " An Act to vest certain Land at Lyttelton in a Trust for the purposes of Public Recreation;" No. 80. " An Act to incorporate the Balclutha Athenceum, and to vest in the said Athenceum, as a corporate body, certain Lands as an Endowment for the purposes of the said Athenceum ;" No. 81. " An Act to declare that the Mayor of the Borough of West, Harbour shall hold office as if he had been elected on the last Wednesday in the month of November, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven;" No. 82. "An Act to provide for the Control and Management of the Southland Boys' and Girls' High Schools ;" No. 83. "An Act to set at rest any Doubts as to the Power of the Board of the Education District of Otago to grant a Lease of Section Two hundred and forty-seven, Hokonui District, and to provide for the Exchange of the said Section for certain other Freehold Lands ;" No. 84. "An Act. to authorize the Issue of Crown Grants of Land in the Middle Island to certain Halfcaste Natives ;" No. 85. " An Act to vest in the Corporation of the Hutt County a piece of Land as a Site for County Public Offices ;" No. 86. "An Act to vest tho Management of the Port of Whnngarei in the Chairman and Councillors of the County of Whangarei;" No. 87. " An Act to carry into effect the Terms of Compensation agreed upon by certain Persons deprived of Water Frontage by the Construction of Harbour Works in the Harbour of Lyttelton, pursuant to 'The Lyttelton Harbour Works Loan Act, 1872;" No. 88. "An Act to amend ' The Roxburgh Reserves Act, 1876." "

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I may observe that the memoranda relating to the reserved Bills Nos. 53 and 54, referred to at the end of the report of the Solicitor-General, and giving the reasons requiring the reservation, were not forwarded to me with the Acts. I have, &c, Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, M. E. Hicks Beach. G.CM.G., &c, &c.

No. 32. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 28.) My Lord, Downing Street, 17th July, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that Her Majesty will not be advised to exercise her power of disallowance with respect to the Act of the Legislature of New Zealand entitled No. 17 of 1877, " An Act to provide for Copyright in Works of Art, and for Repressing the Commission of Proud in the Production and Sale of such Works," a transcript of which accompanied your Despatch No. 1, of the Ith of January last. I have, &c, M. E. Hicks Beach. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G, &c, &c. By Authority: Geobge DidSbtjby, Government Printer, Wellington. —1878. Price Is. 3d.]