SIR A. GORDON'S VISIT TO FIJI, AND RESUMPTION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND (PAPERS RESPECTING).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1882 Session I, A-04

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1882. NEW ZEALAND.

SIR A. GORDON'S VISIT TO FIJI, AND RESUMPTION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND (PAPERS RESPECTING).

Presented to loth Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis 'Excellency.

No. 1. His Excellency the Goveenob to the Peemiee. Actihg on the supposition, originally entertained both by His Excellency and his Advisers, that the present session of the Legislature would have terminated in the first week of September, arrangements have been made for one of Her Majesty's ships to convey the Governor to Fiji on the 12th instant, and the Lands Appeals Court of Fiji has been summoned to meet in the middle of the month. His Excellency would, therefore, wish to learn whether Ministers consider that any serious public inconvenience would be caused by his being absent during the last few days of the session, or whether, in their opinion, he may without injury to the public service adhere to his intention of leaving Wellington on the Bth or 9th instant. There can be no doubt that any delay in his visit to Fiji will seriously affect the arrangements there made in anticipation of it. sth September, 1881. A. H. G.

No. 2. The Peemieb to His Excellency the Goveenoe. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier presents his respectful compliments to the Governor ; and begs to state, in reply to His Excellency's memorandum of yesterday's date, that Ministers are of opinion that no serious public inconvenience will result from His Excellency's departure for Fiji on the 12th instant: it being understood that, so soon as Her Majesty's ship which conveys His Excellency from Auckland has got out of New Zealand waters, the Dormant Commission will come into force, so that the Chief Justice may at once be sworn as Administrator of the Government. "Wellington, September 6th, 1881. John Hall.

No. 3. His Excellency the Goyebhoe to the Seceetary. of State for the Colonies. My Loed, — Government House, New Zealand, 7th September, 1881. I need hardly remind your Lordship that, under the arrangements sanctioned by your Lordship for my retention of a certain " supervision " over native affairs in Fiji, it was contemplated that I should pay an annual visit to that colony, to take part in the sittings of the Executive Council for the rehearing of claims to land. It was settled between my Responsible Advisers and myself, that the best time for this visit would be immediately after the close of the session of the General Assembly of New Zealand. 2. It was supposed that the present session would terminate during the first week in September, and accordingly it was settled that H.M.S. " Emerald" should call for me at Auckland on the 10th or 12th instant; and notice was given by the Governor of Fiji that the lands appeals would be heard at Nasova about the 15th of the month. 3. The session has, however, been unexpectedly prolonged, and I have had to determine whether to delay my departure or to leave before the prorogation. 4. After consulting my Ministers, I have come to the conclusion to adhere to the arrangements already made, as I learn from them that my absence from Wellington will not be productive of any public inconvenience, while, no doubt, some annoyance and trouble would be caused by any long detention, at Auckland, of the " Emerald " (which has already arrived at that port), or by the postponement of the announced sittings of the Land Court in Fiji.

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5. I enclose copies of the memoranda which, have passed between Ministers and myself on this subject. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies. A. Goedon.

No. 4. His Excellency the Goveenoe to the Seceetaet of State for the Colonies. Mt Loed, — Government House, Auckland, 13th September, 1881. in my despatch, No. 55, of the 7th instant, I have reported to your Lordship that, after consultation with my Responsible Advisers, I had determined to adhere to the arrangements already made for my visit to Fiji, notwithstanding the probable duration for another week or ten days of the parliamentary session. Before coming to this conclusion, the Ministers had consulted with the leaders of the Opposition, who agreed that there was no reason for my remaining : one of them (Mr. Macandrew) saying, as he has since repeated in the House of Representatives, with more truth than politeness, that it was not of the smallest consequence whether the nominal Governor was in New Zealand or Fiji, so long as the true Governor, the Minister, remained in New Zealand, and had some one to sign the papers put before him. 2. Some questions have, however, been raised by Mr. Gisborne, a former Minister, as to the possibility of my absenting myself from the colony, and suggesting that my absence from Wellington of itself prorogued Parliament; that the Royal Instructions as to an Administrator only applied to the case of a Governor leaving the colony for good; and that, if once the Chief Justice was sworn in as Administrator, my Commission ceased, and I could not resume the Government without a fresh appointment by the Queen. 3. The Ministers at once pointed out the futility of these objections, which would prevent a Governor ever receiving leave of absence. As a matter of fact, I believe, speaking without reference, which is here impossible, no Governor of New Zealand, for the last twenty years, has been away from the colony on leave, so that there is an absence of the precedents so numerous in other parts of Australia^ and other colonial possessions of Her Majesty. No great interest appears to have been felt in the question, and the House generally acquiesced without objection. It is so well understood how purely perfunctory the duties of the Governor really are, that I doubt if much interest is felt in arrangements which are known to be destitute of the slightest importance. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley, &c. A. Goedon.

No. 5. The Pbemiee to His Excellency the Administbatoe. Memorandum for Sis Excellency. The Premier presents his respectful compliments to the Administrator of the Government; aud has the honor to advise that'—because of doubts expressed by members of the Legislature as to the scope of the Commission under which His Excellency is acting, in the absence of the Governor from the colony —a telegram should be sent to the Secretary of State, so that the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown in England may be obtained. A draft telegram, such as Ministers think desirable, is appended, for His Excellency's consideration. Wellington, September 26th, 1881. John Hall.

(Enclosure.) Secretary for Colonies, Whitehall, London. On Governor leaving, Administrator sworn in under Dormant Commission. Question raised in Assembly, whether Sir Arthur Gordon can resume Government on return. Law Officers advise that he can. Matter submitted for your consideration.

No. 6. The Seceetaet of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Administbatoe. Yotjes 27th. Temporary Administrator's Commission ceases to have effect on return of Governor. KIMBEELEX. London, 30th September.

No. 7. The Secbetabt of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Goveenoe. Sib,— Downing Street, 28th October, 1881. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 55, of the 7th ultimo, with, its enclosures, reporting your intention o£ leaving New Zealand on a visit to Fiji, by H.M.S. "Emerald."

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I have also received your despatch (unnumbered) of the 13th September, in reference to the resumption of your powers of administration on your return from Fiji—a subject which has already been dealt with by telegraphic communication with this department. I have, &c, Governor the Hon. Sir A. H. Gordon, G.C.M.G., &o. Kimbebley.

No. 8. The Secbetaby of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Goyeenoe. Sib, — Downing Street, 14th December, 1881. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt o£ your despatch, No. 69, of the 20th October,, reporting your resumption of the Government of New Zealand. I have, &c, Governor the Hon. Sir A. H. Gordon, G.C.M.G., &c. Kimbeeley.

Authority: GrEOEGE Didsbttbt, G-overnment Printer, Wellington.'—lBB2,