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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1885 Session I, A-02

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1885. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. (New Zealand, No. 32.) Sir, — Downing Street, 6th June, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, enclosing a communication addressed by the United States Minister at this Court to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with two gold watches awarded by the United States Government to Captain W. J. Grey, of the New Zealand Government steamship " Stella," aud Captain J. B. Greig, of the New Zealand Government schooner " Kekeno," in recognition of their services to the crew of the American schooner " Sarah W. Hunt." I request that you will cause these watches to be presented, to Captain Grey and Captain Greig in as public a manner as practicable, as in the case of medals ■awarded by the Royal Humane Society. You will be so good as to take receipts for the watches on the enclosed forms, and to forward them to me. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. P. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DEBBY.

Enclosure. Board of Trade (Marine Department), "Whitehall Gardens, Sir,— S.W., 28th May, 1884. Bernards. —l am directed by the Board of Trade to transmit herewith a copy of a letter addressed by the United States Minister at this Court to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, notifying the award by his Government of two gold watches to Captain W. J. Grey, of the New Zealand Government steamship " Stella," and Captain J. B. Greig, of the New Zealand Government schooner " Kekeno," in recognition of their services to the crew of the American schooner " Sarah W. Hunt." In forwarding the two gold watches herewith, I am to request that you will move Lord Derby to cause the necessary steps to be taken for their presentation to the officers named, whose receipts for the same should be taken on the enclosed forms, which should then be returned to this department. I have, &c, The Under-Seeretary of State, Colonial Office. Thomas Geay.

Sub-Enclosure. My Loed, — Legation of the United States, London, 19th May, 1884. I have the honour to transmit herewith two gold watches which have been awarded by the President to Captain W. J. Grey, of the New Zealand Government steamer " Stella," and to Captain J. B. Greig, of the New Zealand Government schooner " Kekeno," in recognition of the Valuable services rendered by them to the crew of the American schooner " Sarah W. Hunt." It appears that on the 27th of November last, while the " Sarah W. Hunt" was lying in Perseverance Harbour, Campbell Island, the captain ordered the two mates, with nine seamen, to cruise outside the harbour in search of seals in the boats belonging to the schooner. A storm suddenly drove them out to sea. One of the boats succeeded in getting back to land, where its occupants were found several days afterwards and rescued, after they had endured great privation and suffering, by the New Zealand Government schooner " Kekeno," whose captain showed them every care and attention until the arrival of the steamer '• Stella," which had been sent by the I—A. 2.

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authorities to their rescue. The " Stella" then took the castaways on board and proceeded to cruise about in search of the other boat, of which, however, no trace was found. The " Stella " eventually landed the shipwrecked men from the " Sarah W. Hunt" at Lyttelton. I am instructed by the Secretary of State to convey to Her Majesty's Government an expression of the President's high appreciation of the kindness and humanity displayed by the masters and crews of the above vessels, and by the authorities of New Zealand in rescuing and caring for the unfortunate crew of the " Sarah W. Hunt." I beg furthermore to request that your Lordship will have the goodness to cause the enclosed receipts for the accompanying watches to be signed by Captains Grey and Greig, and to be returned to me. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Earl Granville. J. E. Lowell. Enclosures. —Two receipts as above, two watches.

No. 2. (New Zealand, No. 41.) Sir,— Downing Street, 29th July, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Home Office, with its enclosures, respecting a fugitive offender, James Chapman, who there is some reason to believe has gone to New Zealand. I request that you will move your Government to institute such inquiries in the matter as will not be attended with any expenses which would in the ordinary course be properly chargeable against the Home Office. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBF.

Enclosure. Sir,— Whitehall, 25th July, 1884. 1 am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to you, to be laid before the Earl of Derby, the enclosed copy of a letter from Messrs. Munns and Longden with its enclosures, and to request that, if Lord Derby sees no objections, the Governor of New Zealand should be asked to make the inquiries as to the fugitive offender James Chapman, suggested in the letter. No guarantee for expenses has, however, been given, and the Governor should therefore be warned not to incur any expense, nor to take any steps beyond making the inquiries suggested, without further instructions, and to reply by letter and not by telegram. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. A. F. 0. Liddell.

Sub-Enclosure i. Dear Sir,— 8, Old Jewry, London, 8.C., 7th July, 1884. Chapman.—The police in whose hands the warrant for the apprehension of this bankrupt is, has information which leads them to think the bankrupt is at Nelson, in New Zealand, and, with a view to ascertaining this as a fact, have desired us to request you to communicate by letter with the colonial authorities out there, enclosing them a photo, of the bankrupt and a print of bill, which we now enclose. You will at once see that, if it can be ascertained beyond all question that the man wanted is in New Zealand, considerable time and expense will be saved. The bankruptcy occurred last October. The prosecution has been instituted by the Trustee, by the direction of the Court of Bankruptcy, and undertaken in the ordinary way by the Treasury. We also enclose particulars. We have, &c., MuNNS AND LONGDEN.

Sub-Enclosure 2. 8, Old Jewry, London, E.O. Particulars. —Mr. Chapman has a sister married to a Mr. Scott, who is a schoolmaster at Nelson, New Zealand (supposed to be a public school). They have a family of children, and the bankrupt is believed to have gone out to this family.

No. 3. (New Zealand, No. 46.) Sir, — Downing Street, 9th August, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of the memorial which has been presented to me by the Maori chiefs now in this country. 1 understand that it is contended, in support of the action taken by the Maori chiefs in making this appeal to the Imperial Government, that the powers granted to

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the Queen by section 71 of the New Zealand Constitution Act, 15 and 16 Viet., cap. 72, are still in full force, and that Her Majesty may properly be invited to provide by letters patent that the laws enacted by the Legislature of the colony should not extend to the Native territory ; and that the Native laws, customs, and usages, modified as might be thought desirable, should prevail therein, to the exclusion of all other laws. I shall be glad to receive the observations of your Government on this point, and also any statements which they may desire to make respecting the matters referred to in the memorial. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. Jervois, G.C.M.G., 0.8., &c. DERBY.

Enclosure. [Confidential.] Salutations : May the Queen and her family long live. May her Government and the people of England live ! May God protect you ! This is an address from the Maori chiefs to the people of England. Strangers landed on a strange land : — We, the Maori chiefs of New Zealand, have come to this distant land into your presence, on account of the great disaster which has overtaken your Maori race, which is beloved by the Queen and the people of England. Accordingly we have now swum the Ocean of Kiwa which lies between us, and have reached England in safety, the source and fountain of authority, to the place where the Queen lives, that she may redress the ills of the Maori race inflicted on them by the Government of New Zealand, who have not directed their attention to right those wrongs up to the present time, and those wrongs are still being committed; nor is it because the Maoris are adhering to evil practices, and so causing trouble between the two races, and therefore, owing to this continued inattention of the Government, this is presented as an appeal to the highest authority. And because there was a tender regard displayed by the Queen to her Maori race, as shown in the Treaty of Waitangi, therefore it is well that those contracts and these ills should be brought before you for your consideration. Firstly. The words of the Queen were, that Victoria, Queen of England, in her kind regard to the chiefs and the tribes of New Zealand, secured that their rights of chieftainship and their lands should be established to them, and that peace should be made with them. Secondly. That the Queen of England shall order and consent that the chiefs and tribes of New Zealand preserve their chieftainships, their lands, their villages, their forests, and their fisheries. Thirdly. That the Government of the Queen shall consent and order that the Queen shall protect the Maoris of New Zealand, and shall give them her laws in like manner as they are given to the people of England. But these contracts have been trampled upon by the Government without exception. The first case of the Government purchasing land was in the year 1855. They paid a deposit for lands to some tribes without knowing whether the lands belonged to them, and much land in the Waikato, Hawke's Bay, and other places was bought in this manner; and in consequence the Maoris drew a boundary at the Mangatawhiri River, to separate the ground still held by the Maoris, and set up a head—namely, Potatau —of the Maori people, who should prevent disputes between the Natives who sold and those who retained their lands, always acknowledging the supremacy of the Queen; and this provision was made over all lands throughout Taranaki, Taupo, and other parts. In the year 1858 the Government purchased Waitara from Te Teira, Wiremu Kingi, the paramount chief of that tribe, prohibiting the sale; but the Government sanctioned the purchase from Te Teira. Wiremu Kingi drove off the surveyors, and the Government waged war throughout Taranaki and confiscated the land. In the year 1863 a Proclamation was issued by the Government that all the Natives adhering to the resolve not to part with their lands should retire across the boundary-line at Mangatawhiri; they went, and the Government followed them across the boundary and fought them. Another Proclamation from the Government declared that the Waikato chiefs adhering to the Queen should aid General Cameron, and that the Government would protect their persons, their lands, and their property. Te Wheoro and his tribe aided General Cameron up to the very last, but their lands (amounting to about 200,000 acres) and property were confiscated, and a very little portion of the land was returned ; the bulk was sold by the Government to the English, and up to the present day no compensation has been made. For the property destroyed, the Court ordered compensation to be made, but the Government refused to comply. The question of the lands thus seized was laid before the Committee of Maori Affairs of the House of Parliament in the year 1879, and again in the years 1880 and 1881, and the unanimous reply was made that the Government should specially appoint a Commission to investigate that seizure, but the Government refused to accede to this proposal. On the seizure of the lands at Taranaki in the year 1863, a law was made, that seven years were to be allowed for the Government to place settlers on the land, but failing to do so within that time that the land should revert to the Maoris. The year 1870 arrived, and the Government had failed to settle the land and the land was returned by the Native Minister, Donald McLean, who said that the Government should purchase the land at ss. or 7s. per acre, but the Government did not purchase it.

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In the year 1879 the Government began to seize the land without any pretext, arrested Te Whiti and party in their homes, destroyed their houses, rooted up their crops, and removed their goods, surveyed the land, put it into the market, and it was bought by the English, and very small portions were returned to the Natives. For twelve months Te Whiti and party were imprisoned and were never tried; they were then released, but are still under some restraining law of the Government. When the lands in the South Islands were bought by a Commission from the Queen the Commission stipulated that on the Maoris consenting to the conditions, that the villages, the fisheries, and one acre in every ten should be reserved to the Maoris, and to this the Maoris agreed, but on the completion of the sale the conditions were and have been disallowed down to the present time. A commission was instituted in the year 1879, but the Government was. not pleased to give effect to its awards. Eespecting the land at Kawhia : before the establishment of the Government some Europeans resided at Kawhia; the Maoris allowed their residence for the purpose of trade, and rent was paid to the Natives by these Europeans; the Maoris in ignorance signed their names, and, as they paid for the goods received, were unaware that their names were obtained for a purpose. On the arrival of fresh Europeans the lands were sold to the new arrivals, and these demanded a Crown grant from the Government, which was granted, though the Maoris were kept in ignorance of the transaction, and thus the Government dealt with the ground and ultimately bought it for themselves ; and not until it Was being surveyed were the Maoris aware that their land was alienated. Nor did the Government inquire of the Maoris whether the claims of the Europeans were just, and the Maoris condemned the transaction. The Government submitted a Bill to Parliament to authorize them to put the land into the market, and the Bill was passed by the Parliament, the Maori members dissenting, and submitting a letter to the Governor, asking him to withhold his consent to the Bill, and the letter was forwarded to the Queen. In the year 1883 the land was thrown into the market by the Government, and the Kawhia Eiver was buoyed ; the Maoris then gathered together to prevent this, and Tawhiao said to the Government, through the Native Minister, Mr. Bryce, " Let the staking of the river be done by him." But Mr. Bryce refused, and all the land was surveyed by the Government, and soldiers were placed on the land of the King, and works were pushed forward on the King's land, and the Government said that they, acting with Eewi and party, should decide the boundary of the King's land, to which Eewi and party agreed. When that was settled the Government commenced operations, not confining themselves to what was agreed upon, at which Eewi severed himself from any further connection with the operations of the Government, when he saw that the King party suffered loss ; and this is an example of the conduct of the Government in all their transactions in Maori matters. The Native Land Court, instituted in the year 1866, by the Government, and that measure for dealing with Maori lands was adopted, in order to destroy the rights of the Maoris over their own land, rights secured to them by the Queen in the Treaty of Waitangi. A fresh rule was thus established, by which the Court had full powers, its authority was entirely in European hands, and the Maoris were denied all authority. It was established that ten persons were to be allowed claims over any section of ground, the majority were to rest satisfied with no land to live on, and the lands were ultimately alienated by purchase. Another rule was set up by the Court, that if the claimants failed to present themselves to the Court the land should be handed over to others, and thus the lands were sold, including the lands, the homesteads, and the plantations, and the real owners of the land were left destitute. When the Maori race asked that they might be allowed to deal with their own lands by means of their own committees, the Government declined. In cases where Europeans purchased land from Maoris who received money for lands not theirs, the purchase thus made was established to the purchasers. Assessors were, indeed, appointed for the Courts, but they had no power to say anything with regard to the lands dealt with by the Court. Te Wheoro was the first Assessor thus summoned in the year 1866; but when he saw these faults he left it in the year 1872. The rights of the chiefs over their own lands were disallowed by the Government, and the position of the chiefs, in accordance with their Maori customs, was swept away ; for the chiefs had the power to secure the lands for themselves and their tribes, lest the land and the persons should be lost (by other tribes seizing it), and their' rrights were reduced to an equality with ordinary persons, and their words were allowed no weight in retaining their land, or in directing the affairs of their own tribes : but the Government gave the rights of ruling to all kinds of persons, and the ruling of these persons, possessing no tribal rights in the eyes of the race itself, was authorized, the Government merely regarding their own appointments in respect to these lands; and thus the Government were able to set aside and ignore the chiefs. Maori Assessors were appointed by the Government to rule their own Maori race, only they had no powers. All powers of establishing and directing were retained by the Government, and even this is now being set aside. Maori representatives were established by the Government, but a prohibitive rule was made, by which the number of members was limited to four, and though the Maoris demanded a representation proportionate to their numbers, this has been refused by the Government up to the present time; and these members have only nominal power, and are unable to redress the Maori wrongs, and yet tho Europeans have only an equal status with the Maoris. The Commission charged by the Government on the moneys paid for Maori lands, whether sold or leased, exceeds 25 per cent. The payments arising from gold-bearing lands— i.e. 10s. per miner's right, and duties on goods— are taken by the Government, and none are returned to the Maori race, nor are the Maoris allowed any voice in directing these taxes; all are taken by the Government for the benefit of the Europeans,

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and the Maoris are left out of all consideration ; and the result of all this is that the Government have taken the lands, the persons, and the rights of the Maori: the Maoris still lay claim to their rights, and this has been a cause of trouble, and troubles have also come on other Europeans, as happened at Marunui and other places throughout the whole Island, all from these acts of the Government. A Commission sat to investigate these wrongs at Napier. Te Wheoro, another Maori, and two Europeans sat, but the Europeans and the Maoris failed to agree, no decision was arrived, at, and the lands were lost, and the Maoris, frightened at such dealings, retired to a remnant of the land of their ancestors in the King Country, and yet they are being even now pursued. Te Wheoro rose in the Parliament of 1880, and, addressing the Government, asked them to give to the Maoris the office of Minister of Maori Affairs, then filled by Mr. Bryce, inasmuch as it was a post for the Maoris, and yet Europeans alone filled the office, though- Maori names were mentioned for the office ; and this is a wrong done to the Maoris, inasmuch as the Queen had given them rights. Mr. Bryce replied that the office should never belong to the Maoris. Therefore we and our race have determined, and to us the representatives of the tribe of New Zealand has been assigned the work of crossing the ocean, and of bringing our wrongs to the Queen and people of England, in whose hands lay the words of life and death, that they should send and give to the Maori race laws whereby they may live, like as our friends the Europeans who sent and asked to have a Parliament of their own, and which was agreed to by the Queen ; the Maoris remaining in ignorance that their friends (the Europeans) had asked for a Parliament subsequent to the Treaty of Waitangi. Therefore, we pray for our Maori race that our Queen may cherish us, that she may accede to this our prayer, and grant to us, her Maori race, these humble requests. And firstly, that you will resolutely consent to grant a Government to your Maori subjects, to those who are living on their own lands, on those of their ancestors, and within the limits of Maori territory, that they may have power to make laws regarding their own lands and race, lest they perish by the ills which, have come upon them; that they may be empowered so to direct themselves and their own lands, lest they be altogether destroyed by the practices of the Government, unknown and not evident to the Maoris ; and that also the Maoris possessing lands contiguous to the Europeans should have those lands brought under the direction of the said Maori Government, for there are many tribes who thus own land, and which they will not long hold unless thus brought under Maori Government, and these Maoris are those who are suffering most at the present time, and they will be unable to save themselves unless some such means are taken for their preservation. Secondly. That the Queen and her Government consent to the appointment of a Maori Commissioner, appointed by the Queen, one of the Maori race, one adhering to the Queen, an upright man, who shall act as mediator between the Maori and European races, in matters touching the leasing and selling of the lands of your Maori subjects, who shall investigate the laws, made by the Maori Government, make them feasible, and to write his opinion to your Governor, and to you also for your confirmation, lest the Maori legislation be at variance with that of the Government, and lest the Maori should fail to carry out the laws of the Government respecting them. Thirdly. That the greater portion of the taxes levied on your Maori subjects be returned to them, to enable them to carry on their Government, granted by you to your Maori subjects, in those parts which are Maori territory. Fourthly. That the European Judges in the Native Land Court be susperseded, and that your Maori race be then permitted to direct their own affairs in that Court; that they may be empowered to appoint their own Judges over their own lands, lest they be all lost by the present doings of the Court; that they may be able to deal with these lands in accordance with their own customs, apportioning to each tribe their share, and, having made all ready for leasing or selling, to submit all rulings to the Commissioner appointed by you, that he may look into the whole affair, and see that no injurious effects come upon the Maori, and then he is to submit all to your Governor for confirmation. Fifthly. That the lands wrongly obtained by the Government be returned to us. That all may be in accordance with the concessions m#,de in the Waitangi Treaty and all other contracts made with your Maori subjects. That the Queen and her Government also appoint some person from England—a person independent of the Government of New Zealand—who shall carefully investigate those wrongs, and, if he finds them in accordance with what we have now presented before you, that then he should decide whether the lands of your wronged subjects be returned or a compensation be made for part of it. We your Maori race, confidently rely on the Treaty of Waitangi, on its provisions and force, and we will be led by those provisions in these matters for which we have now swum the ocean of Kiwa, and we pray in the presence of the Queen that she will confirm her words given in that Treaty, that it may not be trampled upon by the Government of New Zealand in anything they may do to annul that Treaty. Let the Queen live ! Here we conclude. May God preserve you. Tawhiao. Topia Tueoa. Wibehu Te Wheoeo. Hoei Bopihana. Pataea Te Tuhi. I hereby certify that the above is a true translation of the petition made by me this 15th day of July, 1884. —Feed. H. Spencee, Clerk in Holy Orders.

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No. 4. Sir, — Downing Street, 15th August, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you, for your information, copies of correspondence which has passed between this Department, the Board of Trade, and the Secretary of Lloyd's, with reference to the employment of officers in the colonies having duties in connection with the mercantile marine, as agents for Lloyd's. I have, &c, Derby. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure 1. Sra,— Lloyd's, E.C., 10th July, 1884. I am instructed by the Committee of Lloyd's to beg that you will be good enough to move the Secretary of State for the Colonies to allow me to be informed whether officers in British colonies intrusted with the duties in connection with the mercantile marine, which are performed in Foreign countries by British Consuls, are entirely paid by the various Colonial Legislatures, or whether their salaries are in any way charged upon Imperial funds. I am further to beg that you will also move the Earl of Derby to allow me to be informed whether, in case the Committee of Lloyd's should wish to suggest a performance of certain duties by these officers, applications should be made to the various Colonial Governments or to the Colonial Office in London. I have, &c, H. M. Hoziee, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Secretary.

Enclosure 2. Sib,— Downing Street, 18th July, 1884. In reply to your letter of the 10th instant, making certain inquiries as to the officers in the colonies who are intrusted with the duties in connection with the mercantile marine, I am directed by the Earl of Derby to inform you that the salaries of these officers are in no way chargeable upon Imperial funds ; but with reference to any new duties which your Committee may desire they should undertake, I am to suggest that any communication which the Committee of Lloyd's may desire to make should be addressed to his Lordship as Secretary of State for the Colonies. I have, &c, The Secretary of Lloyd's. E. H. Meade.

Enclosure 3. Sib,— Lloyd's, E.C., 23rd July, 1884. I am instructed by the Committee of Lloyd's to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th July, 1884, with reference to officers in the colonies intrusted with the duties connected with the mercantile marine; and lam to beg that you will be good enough to move the Secretary of State for the Colonies to allow me to be informed whether there would be any objection to such officers acting as Lloyd's agents in case the Committee of Lloyd's should, in any particular instance, desire to confer the appointment of a Lloyd's agency upon one of these officers. I have, &c, H. M. Hoziee, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, Colonial Office, S.W. Secretary.

Enclosure 4. Sib,— Downing Street, 30th July, 1884. With reference to your letter of the 29th July, 1880, H. 4977, and subsequent correspondence, I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you, to be laid before the Board of Trade, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Secretary to the Committee of Lloyd's, asking whether officers in the colonies who are intrusted with the duties connected with the mercantile marine might be allowed to act as agents for Lloyd's; and I am to request that you will be good enough to move the Board to favour his Lordship with their opinion as to whether there is any objection to such permission being granted. I have, &c, The Secretary to Board of Trade. B. Wingfield.

Enclosure 5. g lE> — Board of Trade (Harbour Department), Whitehall Gardens, 7th August, 1884. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo, transmitting copy of a letter from the Committee of Lloyd's, asking whether officers in the colonies who are intrusted with the duties connected with the mercantile marine might be allowed to act as agents for Lloyd's, and inquiring whether, in the opinion of this Board, there is any objection to such permission being granted.

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In reply, I am to request that you ■will state to the Earl of Derby that, in the opinion of the Board of Trade, there is always a prima facie objection to Government officers acting as commercial agents. Their separate duties can scarcely fail to conflict with each other, and any suspicion of employing their official position to the disadvantage of others is detrimental to the public service. As the officers of mercantile marine in the colonies are, it is presumed, appointed and paid by the respective Colonial Governments, it will be for Lord Derby's consideration whether or not Lloyd's should be referred to these Governments; but the Board of Trade do not think that their proposal should receive any encouragement. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. C. Cecil Tbevor.

Enclosure 6. Sic, — Downing Street, 13th August, 1884. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd July, inquiring, on behalf of the Committee of Lloyd's, whether there would be any objection to the employment of officers in the colonies having duties in connection with the mercantile marine as agents for Lloyd's. In reply, I am to acquaint you that the Board of Trade, to whom your letter was referred, are of opinion that there is always a prima facie objection to Government officers acting as commercial agents; that their separate duties could scarcely fail to conflict with each other; and that any suspicion of employing their official position to the disadvantage of others would be detrimental to the public service; and in this opinion Lord Derby fully concurs. I am to add that, as regards the colonies having responsible government, it would be for them to decide whether it would be desirable to give permission to their officers to act as agents as suggested in your letter. I have, &c, The Secretary of Lloyd's. E. H. Mbadb.

No. 5. (New Zealand, No. 51.) Sir, — Downing Street, 23rd August, 1884. I have the honour 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 "An Act to extend the provisions of ' The Public Revenues Act, 1882,' for the appropriation of the Public Moneys until the thirtyfirst day of August, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four, and to make further provision for the Public Service until the said day," a transcript of which accompanied your Despatch No. 45, of the 2nd ultimo. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.B. DERBY.

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No. 6. (New Zealand, No. 52.) Sir,- — Downing Street, 23rd August, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 44, of the 2nd of July, informing me that in consequence of the New Zealand Parliament having just been dissolved, it would be impossible for your Government until the new Parliament shall assemble to take any steps in the matter referred to in my dispatch of the 9th of May, having reference to the proposals of the Convention of Representatives of the Australasian Colonies held at Sydney, in December last. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

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No. 7. Sir, — Downing Street, 29th August, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your Government, the accompanying copy of a letter from Sir Frederick Bramwell, E.R.S. (Bth August, 1884, with prospectus), written by direction of His Royal Highness the Prince of "Wales, respecting the International Inventions Exhibition, which it is proposed to hold in London in 1885. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government of DERBY, New Zealand.

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Enclosure. International Inventions Exhibition, 1885. My Loed, — South Kensington, S.W., Bth August, 1884. I have been requested by His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales to bring to your Lordship's immediate notice the forthcoming International Inventions Exhibition, which is to be held under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, in the buildings at South Kensington, at present occupied by the International Health Exhibition. The Exhibition will be opened in May, 1885 ; and, as the time for preparation is short, it is hoped that your Lordship will have the goodness to cause early notification to be made of His Eoyal Highness's request that the various British colonies will favour him with their co-operation by taking an active part in an Exhibition which will doubtless prove of benefit to the inhabitants of all countries, by bringing prominently to their notice the many inventions which have been made since the great International Exhibition of 1862, and by gathering together examples of the music of all nations. The prospectus, copies of which are forwarded herewith, will fully explain the nature and purpose of the forthcoming Exhibition. I beg leave to call attention to the following rules, which specially concern colonial exhibitors : — "45. The Foreign and Colonial Commissioners appointed by their Governments . are invited to communicate with the Secretary. They will be charged with the consideration of all questions relative to the distribution of the space allotted to their respective countries; and the Executive Council will place at their disposal all information and plans that may be useful to them. Foreign and Colonial Commissioners will be required to guarantee that all exhibits in their respective sections are in accordance with the classification and the regulations. " 46. The applicants for space from countries in which no Commissioner has been nominated must appoint agents in England to act on their behalf. " 47. Applications from foreign countries and colonies will be received up to the Ist November." The Executive Council would suggest that Colonial Governments should be asked to give full publicity to the announcement of this International Exhibition, in its two divisions of Inventions and Music, and be asked to appoint a Commission to arrange for the due display of goods under the various groups, and to settle, in communication with the Council, matters connected with their respective countries. The Executive Council trust that Colonial Governments will generally co-operate with them in promoting in this manner an Exhibition of great practical importance to the commerce and industry of the world, and in making it, in a large sense, International. Where a Colonial Government is not able to adopt this course, the Executive Council would urge that the proper Departments of the Administration, and public bodies concerned with the various subjects set forth in the prospectus, may, as soon as possible, be made acquainted with its contents, and be encouraged to act on its provisions with regard to colonial exhibits. I beg leave to add that it might be useful to supply for the use of the various colonies copies of the prospectus, any number of which can be forwarded on application to this office. I have, &c, Fbedeeiok Beamwell, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby, K.G. Chairman.

No. 8. Sir, — Downing Street, 2nd September, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, requesting to be furnished with information whether the usual remission for good behaviour, which is granted to civilian prisoners, is extended to naval and marine court-martial prisoners committed to colonial gaols; and I request that you will be good enough to furnish me with the desired information at your earliest convenience. I have, &c, DEEBY. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sra,— Admiralty, 26th August, 1884. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will move Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies to cause them to be furnished, if possible, with the following information : — (1.). In the case of naval and marine court-martial prisoners, who have been committed to colonial gaols (and remain to complete their sentences there), is the usual remission for good behaviour, which is granted to civilian prisoners, extended to them? (2.) And what is the procedure on this point with regard to naval and marine court-martial prisoners who are transferred from colonial -gaols to complete their sentences in England — i.e., in reference to their behaviour while,in such colonial gaols. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. N. Swainson,

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No. 9. (Circular.) Sik, — Downing Street, 10th September, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Treasurer of Lincoln's Inn, enclosing a report of the Joint Committee of the Four Inns of Court assembled to consider to what extent and under what circumstances the dispensing power of the Inns of Court ought to be exercised in favour of barristers of the Australian Colonies. It will be obsei'ved that, since the report was made, it has been adopted by Lincoln's Inn and the other Inns of Court. I have to state that the present decision is the result of a representation made to this Department in October last by the Chief Justice of Queensland. I have, &c, DERBY. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sic,— Lincoln's Inn, W.C., 13th August, 1884. By direction of the Bench of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, I have the honour to send you a copy of the report of the Joint Committee of the Four Inns of Court as to what extent and under what circumstances the dispensing power of the Inns of Court ought to be exercised in favour of barristers of the Australian Colonies, and to state that since the report was made it has been adopted by Lincoln's Inn and the other Inns of Court. I am afraid that I have been guilty of some little delay in making this communication to you, for which I beg to apologise. I have, &c, C. D. Peideaux, John Bramston, Esq., Assistant Under-Secretary Treasurer of Lincoln's Inn. for the Colonies, Downing Street.

Sub-Enclosure. Inner Temple, 15th May, 1884. Eepokt of the Joint Committee of the Four Inns of Court assembled by orders of the several Benches to consider to what extent, and under what circumstances, the dispensing power ' of the Inns of Court ought to be exercised in favour of Barristers of the Australian Colonies. Present: Lincoln's Inn • —Mr. Prideaux (Treasurer), Lord Justice Cotton, Mr. Justice Mathew Mr. Justice Pearson, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Kekewich, Mr. Webster. Inner Temple : Mr. Mackeson (Treasurer), Sir John Maule, Mr Eichards. Middle Temple : Mr. Cole (Treasurer), Sir M. Smith, Sir H. James, Sir H. Maine, Lord Justice Lindley, Mr. Leith, Mr. Cowie. Mr. Mackeson, Treasurer of the Inner Temple, Chairman. Resolved. (1.) That it is desirable that regulations be framed by the Inns of Courts for the admission thereto of barristers who have been admitted to the Bar of certain colonies. (2.) That, while the two branches of the profession are kept distinct in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, as at present, and the regulations affecting the call to such Bars also remain substantially as they are at present, any member of such Bars of three years' standing, stating his intention to practise at the English Bar, and presenting a certificate of call to any such Bars, duly authenticated, and also a certificate by a Judge of the Supreme Court of the colony, and by the Attorney-General or Senior Law Officer thereof, that the applicant is a fit and proper person to be called to the English Bar, may become a member of any Inn of Court and be called to the English Bar on keeping three terms without submitting to any examination. H. Hall Daeb, Sub-Treasurer.

No. 10. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 20th September, 1884. I am commanded by Her Majesty the Queen to transmit to your care the accompanying copy of " More Leaves from the Journal of a Life in the Highlands from 1862 to 1882," bearing Her Majesty's autograph signature. Her Majesty desires that this book may be placed in the General Assembly Library as evidence of Her Majesty's interest in that institution, and of her belief that this record will not fail to be appreciated by her subjects in New Zealand. I have, &c, DERBY. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. 2— A. 2.

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No. 11. (New Zealand, No. 58.) Sir, — Downing Street, 29th September, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 58, of the Bth of August, reporting the execution, on the 15tli of July, of Rowland Herbert Edwards, who was convicted of the wilful murder of his wife and four children. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., 0.8., &c. DERBY.

A.-1. No. 1

No. 12. (New Zealand, No. 60.) Sin, — Downing Street, Bth October, 1884. With reference to your telegram of the 27th ultimo, and to my reply of the Ist instant, respecting the extradition of H. J. Williams from New Caledonia, I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Government a copy of the letter from the Eoreign Office on which my telegram was founded. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

Enclosure. Sir,— Foreign Office, 30th September, 1884. In reply to your letter of the 29th instant, relative to the extradition of H. J. Williams to New Zealand from New Caledonia, I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you, to be laid before the Earl of Derby, copy of a telegram, which has this day been sent to Her Majesty's Consul at New Caledonia, instructing him to demand the extradition of the fugitive in question. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V. Lister.

Sub-Enclosure. Telegram to Consul Layaed. New Caledonian, 30th September, 1884, 5.30 p.m. " Demand extradition of Herbert Joseph Williams, fugitive from New Zealand, charged with forgery. Papers sent to you by Governor. Endeavour to procure provisional arrest. Ample evidence."

No. 13. (New Zealand, No. 61.) Sir, — Downing Street, Bth October, 1884. "With reference to your telegram of the 7th instant, and to previous correspondence respecting the fugitive offender, A. F. Anderson, I have the honour to transmit to you for communication to your Government copies of two letters from the Home Office on the subject, with authenticated copies of documents connected with the case. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

See also No, 17 infra.

Answer, A.-l No. 18.

Enclosure 1. Sir,— Whitehall, 29th September, 1884. I am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit herewith, for the purpose of being laid before the Earl of Derby, copy of a warrant for the arrest of a fugitive offender named Alexander Forsyth Anderson, together with copy of the information on which such warrant was granted. These papers are authenticated in the usual way. I am also to transmit copy of a letter from the Chief Superintendent of Police at Liverpool, from which it appears that Anderson is in Auckland, and I am to request that you will move his Lordship to cause a telegram to be sent to the Governor of New Zealand with a view to the provisional arrest of his man. I have, &c, To the Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Godfeey Lushington.

Sub-Enclosure. Detective Department, Liverpool Constabulary Force, Sir,— Liverpool, 26th September, 1884. I have the honour to inform you that on the 27th of March last, Alexander Forsyth Anderson, master of the Liverpool Workhouse, absconded, and on the 31st of March a warrant

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was taken out against him, charging him with having stolen the sum of £240, the moneys of the Select Vestry or Poor Law Guardians; but, upon a subsequent examination of the books, it was discovered that Anderson was a defaulter to a much larger amount. It has now boen ascertained that he joined the_steamer "Orient," of the Orient Line, at Naples, on the 25th of April last, and sailed for Sydney in the name of G. Hamilton, that he is now in Auckland and passing in his own name (Anderson). Upon his arrival in New Zealand he sent through the agents of the New Zealand Shipping Company at Wellington to the agents in London, a cablegram arranging for a firstclass passage to be provided for Mrs. Anderson (his wife) from London to Wellington. A passage was provided in the steamer " Doric," which sailed from London on the 28th ultimo, but, although a portion of his wife's luggage, consisting of five packages addressed " Mrs. Anderson, not wanted on the voyage," went in that vessel, she, for some reason, declined to go in her. As Anderson (the man wanted) will no doubt either meet the " Doric " or other vessel arriving at Wellington from London by the Orient line, or depute some person to do so, I would thank you to cause the necessary steps to be taken by cablegram for Anderson's arrest under " The Fugitive Offenders Act, 1881." I also inclose you certified copies of the information and warrant, and ask that you will forward me the usual form of indemnity which I will return, signed by the legal representative of the guardians, who has undertaken to defray all the expenses incurred in the arrest and conveyance of the fugitive to England. Anderson is about forty years of age, sft. 6in. high, proportionate build, square shoulders, ruddy complexion, dark sandy hair whiskers and moustache, bald on the top of his head, has a slight outward turn of the eyes, and generally dresses in a suit of brown cloth, dark over-coat and felt hat, and wears a gold albert chain with long links. I have, &c, Geo. Williams, The Hon. Sir E. A. 0. Liddell, X.C.8., Chief Superintendent. H.M. Under-Secretary of State, Home Department, London.

Enclosure 2. Sm,— Whitehall, 3rd October, 1884. With reference to the letter from this department of the 29th ultimo, asking that stops should be taken to obtain the provisional arrest of the fugitive offender Alexander Eorsyth Anderson, in New Zealand, I am directed by the Secretary of State to request that you will move the Earl of Derby further to instruct the Governor of New Zealand by telegram that, in the event of Anderson's arrest, all moneys and documents found in his possession should be secured by the police. An indemnity for all expenses has been given by the prosecutor. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Goderey Lushington.

No. 14. (New Zealand. General.) Siß,— Downing Street, 11th October, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 64, of fho 16th of August, and to inform you that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to approve of Sir Frederick Whitaker, K.0.M.G., Major Harry Albert Atkinson, Mr. William Itolleston, Mr. John Bryce, Mr. Richard Oliver, Mr. Thomas Dick, and Mr. Walter Woods Johnston, being allowed to retain the title of _ Honourable within the Colony of New Zealand as late Members of the Executive Council. I have, &c Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. 'DEKBY

A.-1., 1884, No. 24.

No. 15. (New Zealand, No. 63.) Sir,— Downing Street, 11th October, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 63, of the 16th of August, transmitting newspaper extracts on the subject of the proposed annexation of the Samoan Groups to New Zealand, and the action of Mr. Lundon. I h ave , &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., 0.8., &c, DERBY.

No. 16. (New Zealand, No. 64.) Sir,— Downing Street, 15th October, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your government, a copy of a letter, which I have caused to he addressed to the

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Admiralty, and from which you will observe that Her Majesty's Government have decided that the establishment of Her Majesty's Protectorate over the Southern Coast of New Guinea and the adjacent Islands, as announced by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons at the end of the late session of Parliament, should now be proclaimed, and that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have been requested to take the necessary steps for carrying the decision into execution. I hope to address to you, very shortly a further communication in regard to the measures which will have to be taken in order to render the protectorate effective; and, until the necessary arrangements have been made, it is desirable that it should be generally known that, as stated in the letter from this Department to the Admiralty, no persons will be permitted to settle or acquire land within the protectorate unless expressly authorized by an officer of Her Majesty's Government. This obviously important requirement is in accordance with the fourth resolution of the Intercolonial Conference of 1883, respecting relations with the Pacific Islands. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. P. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DMiBY.

Enclosure. g IE) Downing Street, Bth October, 1884. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Government have decided that the establishment of the Queen's protectorate and jurisdiction over the southern coast of New Guinea to the eastward of the 141 st meridian of Bast longitude, as explained by the First Lord of the Treasury in the House of Commons on the 11th August, should now be proclaimed, and to request the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to take the necessary steps for carrying this decision into execution. 2. The protectorate will for the present extend along the southern shore of New Guinea, and over the country adjacent thereto, from the 141 st meridian of East longitude before mentioned, as East Cape, including any islands adjacent to the mainland in Goschen Straits, and to the eastward as far southward of the said Straits, as far South and East as to include Kosman Island. No persons will be permitted to settle or acquire land within the protectorate, unless expressly authorized by an officer of Her Majesty's Government, 3. Lord Derby understands that the Commodore on the Australian Station is at present at Sydney, awaiting instructions on this subject, and-his Lordship will be obliged if the Lords Commissioners will instruct him by telegraph to proceed forthwith to New Guinea, and proclaim Her Majesty's protectorate as denned in this letter at a sufficient number of places along the coast. It is not possible to specify the points at which the flag should be hoisted, and other usual formalities gone tnrough, and it may be desirable to leave these details to the discretion of the Commodore. 4. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were good enough to give • directions for the detention at Cooktown of H.M.S. "Harrier," which is proceeding to New Guinea, to convey Mr. Deputy-Commissioner Eomilly to Now Guinea, and Lord Derby will be obliged if instructions are now given for the " Harrier " to proceed with Mr. Eomilly to his destination. 5. Some short time may elapse before the further arrangements for the protectorate can be completed ; and Lord Derby will be glad if the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty can make provision for the presence of one or more of Her Majesty's ships on the protected coast during the remainder of this year. I have, &c, The Secretary to the Admiralty. E. G. W. Heebebt.

No. 17. (New Zealand, No. 65.) S IR; Downing Street, 16th October, 1884. With reference to my Despatch No. 61, of the Bth instant, and to previous correspondence, I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, a copy of a letter from the Home Office stating that Inspector James Irvine will leave for New Zealand on the 23rd instant to convey the fugitive offender A. Anderson to England. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.0.M.G., 0.8., &c. DERBY.

A.-2. No. 8, Answer, A.-l, No. 18.

Enclosure. Sib,— Whitehall, 15th October, 1884. With reference to your letter of the 7th instant and previous correspondence with regard to the case of the fugitive offender Alexander Anderson, I am directed by the Secretary of State to

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acquaint you, for the information of Earl Kimberley, that Detective Inspector James Irvine, of the Liverpool Police Force, will start for New Zealand on the 23rd instant to convey Anderson to England. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Godfrey Lushinoton.

No. 18. (New Zealand, No. 68.) Sir,— Downing Street, 18th October, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 61, of the 16th of August, enclosing a petition addressed to me by the Right Rev. Francis Redwood, Roman Catholic Bishop of Wellington, respecting the recent decision of the Italian Courts relative to the property of the Congregation of the Propaganda in Rome. I request that you will inform Bishop Redwood that Her Majesty's Ambassador at Rome has been authorized to join with the representatives of any other Powers in expressing interest in the subject, if a fitting opportunity should present itself. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

No. 19. (New Zealand, No. 68.) Sir, — Downing Street, 6th November, 1884. - I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 70, of the 13th of September, transmitting papers recently presented to both Houses of Parliament in New Zealand, with reference to the question of Confederation and Annexation, which contains, among other information, the complete correspondence respecting Samoa. I have, &c., Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

No. 20. (New Zealand, No. 69.) Sin, — Downing Street, 7th November, 1884. With reference to my Despatch No. 17, of the 12th of April, respecting the claim advanced by "The Auckland South Sea Island Produce Company (Limited)" to the lease of certain landed properties in Samoa, I have the honour to acquaint you that I have now received a report from Sir William Dcs Vocux which, in my opinion, is sufficient to show that no blame attaches to him or to the Deputy-Commissioner in Samoa in regard to their action in the matter of the company's claim. You will be so good as to cause Messrs. Henderson and Shera, of Auckland, to be informed to this effect. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

A.-2., 1884. No. 9.

No. 21. (New Zealand, No. 70.) Sir, — Downing Street, 11th November, 1884. I caused to be forwarded, for the consideration of the Secretary of State for War, a copy of your Despatch No. 50, of the Bth of August, with its enclosures, and I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to the proper authorities, a copy of a letter which has been received from the War Office, in reply from which it will be seen that the Marquis of Hartington is of opinion that the first examination for the degree of 8.A., in the University of New Zealand, is not equivalent to the examination mentioned in clause 2 (b) of the regulations respecting examinations for admission to Sandhurst (herewith), but that the benefit of this clause might be extended to students who have passed the whole examination for the B.A. degree. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., 0.8., &o. DERBY.

A-l, 1884. No. 14.

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Enclosure. Sic,— War Office, Pall Mall, S.W., 10th November, 1884. I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th September last, forwarding copy of a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand, together with enclosures relative to increased facilities being afforded to graduates and students of the University of that colony who may be desirous of entering the Eoyal Military College at Sandhurst. In reply, I have the honour to inform you that, after reference to the Civil Service Commissioners, Lord Hartington is of opinion that the first examination for the degree of 8.A., at the above University, cannot be regarded as equivalent to the examinations mentioned in clause 2(i) of the regulations issued with General Order 116 of 1884; but there would be no objection to the benefits of this clause being extended to students who have passed the whole of the examination for the B.A. degree. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Balpii Thompson.

No. 22. (New Zealand, No. 71.) Sir, — . Downing Street, 14th November, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, enclosing one from Lloyd's, in which attention is called to the want of a light on Stephen's Island, New Zealand. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. P. D. Jervois, G.0.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

Enclosure. Board of Trade (Harbour Department), Whitehall Gardens, S.W., Sic,—- Bth November, 1884. I am directed by the Board of Trade to transmit to you copy of a letter which has been received by them from the Committee for managing the affairs of Lloyd's, calling attention to the want of a light on Stephen's Island, New Zealand; and I am to request that, in laying the enclosed document before the Earl of Derby, you will move him, should he see no objection, to cause the attention of the Colonial Government to be called to the matter. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. C. Cecil Tbevob.

Sub-Enclosure. Sic,— Lloyd's, E.C., 3rd November, 1884. I am instructed by tho Committee of Lloyd's to inform you that it has been represented to them, by their agent at Picton, New Zealand, that a good light placed on Stephen's Island would be of great advantage in making that part of the coast safer for vessels coming from the westward. The Committee of Lloyd's have obtained the opinions of various shipowners whose vessels navigate those waters, who indorse the view of Lloyd's agent at Picton; and lam therefore to request that you will be good enough to place the matter before the President of the Board of Trade, with a view to such action being taken as Mr. Chamberlain may consider desirable. I have, &c, H. M. Hoziee, The Secretary (Harbour Department), Board of Trade, S.W. Secretary.

No. 23. (New Zealand, No. 72.) Sir, — Downing Street, 14th November, 1884. In reply to your Despatch No. 59, of the Bth of August last, I am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, the document specified in the annexed Schedule. I have, &c, ROBERT G. W. HERBERT. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Date. Dascription of Document. 10th November, 1884. Copy of a letter from the Admiralty respecting a proposed graving .dock at Port Chalmers.

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Enclosure. Sib, — Admiralty, 10th November, 1884. I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th ultimo, transmitting a copy of a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand with an enclosure respecting Imperial assistance towards the construction of a graving dock at Port Chalmers, which the Otago Harbour Board are desirous of obtaining, and to state, for the information of the Earl of Derby, that the subject has been referred for the report of the Commodore in command of the Australian station. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. E. N. Swainson.

No. 24. (New Zealand, No. 78.) Sir, — Downing Street, 19th November, 1884. In my Despatch of the 15th ultimo 1 informed you that Her Majesty's Government had decided to take certain steps for the establishment of the Queen's protectorate over the south-east roast of New Guinea and sundry adjacent islands. I have now the honour to acqxiaint you that Her Majesty has approved the appointment of Major-General Scratchley, R.E., C.M.G., as Special Commissioner, to exercise Her authority within the protected area; and I enclose herewith, for your information and for communication to your Government, a copy of the instructions which have been given to this officer. I have requested General Scratchley to communicate on his arrival in Australia with the Governments of as many of the colonies as he may be able to visit before his departure for New Guinea, which of course cannot be long delayed; and it is desirable that he should ascertain, at as early a date as possible, what provision the colonies are disposed to make for carrying on the protectorate after June next. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. P. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

Enclosure 1. Sic, — Colonial Office, Downing Street, 17th November, 1884. You are aware that steps have been taken to proclaim Her Majesty's protectorate and jurisdiction over the southern shore of New Guinea and the country adjacent thereto, from the 141 st meridian of East longtitude eastward as far as East Cape, including any islands adjacent to the main land in Goschen Straits, and to the southward of the said Straits as far south and east as to include Kosman Island. 2. I am now directed by the Earl of Derby to inform you that Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint you to be her Special Commissioner to exercise her authority within this protectorate, and that the necessary commission will shortly be transmitted to you. 3. Until Her Majesty shall be pleased to make further provision for administering law in the protectorate, that territory, as well as all other parts of New Guinea up to the 143° East longitude, remained under the operation of the Western Pacific Orders in Council; it is therefore necessary that you should be enabled to exercise the authority which is vested by those Orders in the deputies of the High Commissioner, and Sir William Dcs Vceux has been instructed to forward to the care of the Governor of New South Wales aB, instrument appointing you to be a Deputy-Commis-sioner. As it is proposed to place a steamer at your disposal for the duties of the protectorate, you will have more ready means of access to the islands near New Guinea than are at the command of the High Commissioner, and it has accordingly been decided that your powers as Deputy Commissioner shall extend to the islands lying to the north of latitude 15° South, and to the west of longtitude 161° East, and for so much of the Solomon Islands as lies beyond those limits. Copies of the Western Pacific Orders in Council of 1877, 1879, and 1880 are forwarded herewith. 4. You will, however, bo independent of the High Commissioner in respect to the protectorate, and will correspond direct with the Secretary of State for the Colonies. As regards matters occurring beyond the protectorate but within the limits assigned to you as Deputy-Commissioner, you will act on your own discretion without referring to the High Commissioner for instructions, but you should, as far as practicable, inform him of your proceedings. 5. The Australian Colonies have agreed to provide £15,000 during the year ending June, 1885, for the expenses of the protectorate, and upon your arrival in Australia you will ascertain, by communication with the several Governments, whether the colonies will provide in subsequent years a sum adequate to the due maintenance of the protectorate, as it is clearly understood that the protectorate is established at the desire of the colonies, and is not to be a source of expense to this country. You will therefore fully understand that you are not to contemplate or to incur any expense in New Guinea for providing buildings for yourself or your officers until the wishes of the colonies as to the continuance of the protectorate have been ascertained and the necessary funds provided.

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6. Upon your arrival in New Guinea you will place yourself in communication with Mr. Eomilly, a Deputy-Commissioner of the Western Pacific, who has been placed in temporary charge of the protectorate pending your arrival, and will take over the charge from him. 7. You will be supplied in Sydney with a copy of the instructions given to him by the Commodore when leaving him in charge. 8. It is not possible for Lord Derby, with the limited information which he possesses as to the circumstances of the country, to now give you instructions in detail respecting the duties which you will have to perform as Special Commissioner. You should proceed to make yourself acquainted with the country, its harbours, and general features ; and you should lose no time in entering into friendly relations with the natives, and in endeavouring, by all means in your power, to inspire their confidence and acquire their goodwill. 9. You will especially make it your duty to explain to them that Her Majesty, in taking them under her protection, has their welfare in view, and that you are sent to secure to them the safety of their persons, the enjoyment of their property, and particularly to protect them from being deprived of their lands by force or fraud. At the same time you will make it known to them that, if it shall be decided to allow Her Majesty's subjects or others to purchase land, such transactions must in every case be conducted through you : that their wishes in these matters will be respected, and that the purchase-money will be paid through you to them, unless in any case it shall appear desirable to apply it in their behalf for some object in which they are directly interested. You will also explain carefully, and satisfy yourself that they comprehend, that, by the sale of land, they deprive themselves of all further claim to it, and that it becomes the absolute property of the purchasers. In the event of any such purchases being made, it will be your duty to see that both parties agree as to these boundaries of the land, and that these boundaries are defined by beacons or other easily-recognizable marks. All such transfers should be carefully recorded in a register, and all subsequent transactions must be similarly recorded, or they will not be recognized by Her Majesty's Government. 10. You should give all proper encouragement to peaceful and legitimate trade between the natives and persons who may visit the protectorate ; and in this and in other matters you will doubtless receive willing and efficient aid from the missionaries who have settled in New Guinea and established a friendly intercourse with the Natives. 11. It will, however, be your duty to prohibit all. dealings with the natives in arms, ammunition, explosive substances, or spirituous liquors, and to enforce, by all means in your power, the regulation issued by the High Commissioner on the sth of April, 1884, to prohibit the supply of arms, ammunition, and explosive substances to natives of the Western Pacific Islands. A copy of this regulation is enclosed. 12. It is probable that attempts may be made to engage labottrers for Queensland and possibly other places from among the natives in the protectorate ; and, should such attempts be made, it will be your duty to place every lawful obstacle in the way. Natives from New Britain and other islands near the equator have proved not to possess the physique required for continuous'labour, and heavy mortality followed their introduction into Queensland. The Government of that colony have in consequence prohibited their further engagement by vessels sailing from Queensland ports. It will be your duty to second these praiseworthy efforts of the colonial Governments, and to prevent the recruiting of natives of the protectorate for employment away from their own country. 13. Power is given to you by your commission to appoint such necessary officers as you may think expedient; but at present you should make no other appointments than of an officer to give you general assistance and of a private secretary ; you are at liberty to appoint Mr. Eomilly to the former of the two positions. The experience he already possesses of affairs in New Guinea and its neighbourhood should prove of value to you, and as he is a Deputy-Commissioner for the Western Pacific you will be able to utilize his services within the protectorate or beyond it should you find it advisable to detach him for services to which you cannot personally attend, it being intended that in both capacities he should act under your immediate instructions. 14. After your arrival in Australia you should report to me whether you find other officers indispensable, and you will be at liberty to engage such as appear to you absolutely necessary, bearing in mind that the funds provided by the colonies must not in any event be exceeded. 15. It is also desirable that you should, as soon as possible after arrival, report what arrangements you will be able to make for locomotion, and for keeping up communication with the colonies and with England. You are doubtless aware that mail steamers run regularly through Torres Straits, calling both ways at Thursday Island. I have, &c, Major-General Scratchley, E. 8., C.M.G. E. G. W. Heebeet.

Enclosure 2. Sib, — Downing Street, 17th November, 1884. Referring to my letter of this day's date respecting your duties as Special Commissioner in New Guinea, and as Deputy-Commissioner under the Western Pacific Orders in Council, I am directed by the Earl of Derby to inform you that the salary of the combined appointments has been fixed at £2,500 a year, to be defrayed from the moneys provided by the colonies. Mr. Eomilly is now in receipt of a salary of £500 a year from Imperial funds as DeputyCommissioner, and you are authorized to pay him a further sum at the rate of £200 a year so long as he continues to serve under you in the protectorate, to be defrayed from the funds provided by the colonies. You are further at liberty to pay your private- secretary at the rate of £300 a year from the same source.

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_ It will be essential that you should keep careful and accurate accounts of your financial transactions and submit them for audit to such audit as shall hereafter be directed. I have, &c, Major-General P. H. Scratchley, 8.E./C.M.G. E. G. W. Hebbekt.

No. 25. (New Zealand, No. 74.) Sib, — Downing Street, 22nd November, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 71, of the 13th of September, relating to the political affairs of New Zealand. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., 0.8. &c, DERBY.

A.-l, 1884 No. 31.

No. 26. (New Zealand, No. 76.) ®m > — Downing Street, 27th November, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a despatch which I have recently addressed to the Governor of Queensland with reference to the steps to be taken by a Colonial Government which is desirous of equipping and maintaining armed vessels for service outside the territorial waters of the colony. The information contained in this despatch may prove of interest to your Government. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., 0.8., &c. DERBY.

Enclosure. Sib. — _ Downing Street, 17th November, 1884. Eeferring to the recent telegraphic correspondence respecting the offer by your Government of a gunboat for service with the squadron, I have to express my regret that the state of the law, as explained in my telegram of the 30th ultimo, has precluded my laying that offer before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and I shall await with interest the Act which has been passed, and your Despatch giving further particulars respecting this offer, in the hope that, when the necessary legal steps have been completed, I shall find myself able to transmit the offer for the favourable consideration of their Lordships. 2. You are aware that a colonial Legislature cannot of itself provide legislation which will govern vessels when beyond the waters of the colony; and it was in anticipation of the colonies desiring to provide and maintain armed vessels in their own service that the Imperial Parliament, by " The Colonial Naval Defence Act, 1865," empowered colonial Legislatures, with the approval of the Queen in Council, to make provision for effecting at the expense of the colony the several purposes enumerated in section 3 of that Act, which is as follows :— "3. In any colony it shall be lawful for the proper legislative authority, with the approval of Her Majesty in Council, from time to time to make provision for effecting at the expense of the colony all or any of the purposes following :— " (1.) For providing, maintaining, and using a vessel or vessels of war, subject to such condition, and for such purposes as Her Majesty in Council from time to time approves. " (2.) For raising and maintaining seamen and others, entered on the terms of being bound to serve as ordered in any such vessel. " (3.) For raising and maintaining a body of Volunteers, entered on the terms of being bound to general service in the Eoyal Navy in emergency, and, if in any case the proper legislative authority so directs, on the further terms of being bound to serve as ordered in any such vessel as aforesaid. " (4.) For appointing commissioned, warrant, and other officers to train and command, or serve as officers with any such men ashore or afloat, on such terms and subject to such regulations as Her Majesty in Council from, time to time approves. " (5.) For obtaining from the Admiralty the services of commissioned, warrant, and other officers, and of men of the Eoyal Navy, for the last-mentioned purposes. " (6.) For enforcing good order and discipline among the men and officers aforesaid while ashore or afloat within the limits of the colony. " (7.) For making the men and officers aforesaid, while ashore or afloat within the limits of the colony or elsewhere, subject to all enactments and regulations for _ the time being in force for the discipline of the Eoyal Navy." And, with the view of enabling colonial vessels to act with Her Majesty's ships in time of war, the Act further, in section 6, empowers the Admiralty to accept any offer made by the Government o —A.. A.

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of a colony to place at Her Majesty's disposal any vessel of war provided by that Government and the men and officers serving therein. 3. Early in this year, when the gunboats built for the Government of Victoria were ready to leave England, application was made by the Agent-General for an Order in Council to place these vessels under the provisions of section 6 of " The Colonial Naval Defence Act, 1865," and thus enable them to acquire the status of vessels of war of the Eoyal Navy during the voyage to Melbourne. 4. The Law Officers of the Crown were consulted whether it was competent to Her Majesty to issue an Order in Council under section 6 of the Act without issuing one under section 3 ; and they advised, in reply, that section 6 authorizes the Crown to accept for Imperial purposes vessels legally existing as colonial armed vessels ; and that it is, therefore, clear that such vessels must first obtain their status under section 3 before section 6 can be applied to them. 5. The Victorian Act, No. 389, styled " The Discipline Act, 1870," and No. 417, to which Her Majesty's approval in Council had been obtained at the time of their enactment, provide that vessels placed in commission by the Governor shall be under the enactments and regulations in force for the discipline of the Eoyal Navy. It was, therefore, possible for me to instruct the Governor to issue commissions under those Acts, and upon my learning that this had been done, Orders in Council under section 3 and section 6 were issued. (Copies of these Orders are enclosed). In the absence of any similar Acts in Queensland, it was not possible to entertain the offer conveyed in your telegram of the 25th ultimo ; it will, however, be a satisfaction to Her Majesty's Government, if, upon receipt of your Despatch and of the Act of the Legislature, it shall be found possible to meet the wishes of your Ministers. 6. Before the Orders in Council of the 4th March were issued, the Agent-General for Victoria offered to place the vessels at the disposal of Her Majesty for service in the Eed Sea, so as to share in the active operations then in progress. The Law Officers were, thereupon, asked to advise as to the position which would be occupied by the officers and men in the event of this offer being accepted; and whether, having regard to the terms of their agreement, such acceptance would render the crews liable to active service against the enemy as men of the Eoyal Navy without their assent previously obtained. Upon the latter question, the Law Officers were clearly of opinion that the crews would not be so liable ; and they thought that, under the terms of their engagement, the crews were only bound to navigate the ship on the same conditions and subject to the same discipline as merchant seamen. And, further, as the vessels had not as yet been within the limits of the colony, and were not then manned by crews entered for the service of the colony, they were of opinion that very serious difficulties might arise from their employment in any -warlike operation. It may be desirable that your Government should take this advice into consideration when engaging officers or men for service in any armed vessel belonging to the colony. 7. Colonial armed vessels whose services are accepted under section 6 of the Colonial Naval Defence Act are to be deemed to all intents vessels of war of the Eoyal Navy. But in the event of a colonial vessel of war making a long passage, such as a voyage from England to Australia, in the course of which she would pass through several stations, meeting ships of war commanded by officers of various ranks, it is evident that many difficulties would arise which would render it very inconvenient, and probably impossible, as the law now stands, to consider her as to all intents a vessel of war of the Eoyal Navy. She would be unprovided with the Navy signals, books, or regulations; the relative rank of the officers in command is not provided for, and, although the ship's company would be under the Naval Discipline Act, the captain would not sit on courts-martial. It was consequently thought advisable that the Victorian vessels, which had already left England before the 4th of March, should continue their voyage under the blue ensign and pendant for which Admiralty warrants had been granted to them. 8. By section 80 of the Queen's Eegulations for the Navy it is provided that colonial ships of war maintained by a colony under "The Colonial Naval Defence Act, 1865," shall wear the blue ensign with the seal or badge of the colony in the fly thereof and a blue pendant. The Lords of the Admiralty would always be ready to grant the necessary warrant for any such vessel, such warrant being the proper evidence of her right to bear these colours. The pendant is the symbol of a ship of war, and foreign Powers have been informed that vessels bearing these colours are entitled to all the privileges of vessels of war. 9. You will observe that in what I have said sea-going vessels only are in question, some portion of whose duties would be discharged beyond the limits of colonial waters; and I thought it advisable to invite the Admiralty to make a further reference to the Law Officers respecting colonial vessels intended for harbour defence or other local services to be performed entirely within the waters of a colony. An opinion was received that colonies possessing Eesponsible Government are at liberty, independently of an Act of the Imperial Parliament, to provide and equip armed vessels for harbour defence, and police and other like purposes within, and their use being limited to, the waters of such colonies respectively; and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have informed me that they would be prepared to sanction the use of the blue ensign (with the badge of the colony thereon) and the blue pendant by vessels armed and fitted for harbour defence, police, or other like purposes within the territorial waters of the colony, provided that such vessels are commanded by officers holding commissions from the Governor or Government of the colony. 10. I have thought that the above information may be of service to your Ministers, and I shall be glad if you will communicate this despatch to them. I have, &c, Sir A. Musgrave. Deeby,

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Sub-Enclosure 1. At the Court at Windsor, the 4th day of March, 1884. Present: The Queen's most Excellent Majesty; Lord President, Mr. Gladstone; Lord Chamberlain, Mr. Dolson. Wheeeas by an Act of the Imperial Legislature, intituled " The Colonial Defence A ;fc, 1865," it was amongst other things enacted : In any colony it shall be lawful for the proper legislative authority, with the approval of Her Majesty in Council, from time to time to make provision for effecting, at the expense of the colony, amongst others, the purposes following —viz., for providing, maintaining, and using a vessel or vessels of war, subject to such conditions and for such purposes as Her Majesty in Council from time to time approves; and for raising and maintaining seamen and others entered on the terms of being bound to serve, as ordered, in any such vessel: And whereas, by an Act of the Legislature of the Colony of Victoria, No. 389, amended by an Act, No. 417, to which said amending Act the Eoyal assent was given, and the same was proclaimed on the 17th day of May, 1872, the Governor of the said colony was empowered, on behalf of Her Majesty, to place in commission any armed vessels that the Parliament of Victoria might from time to time direct to be maintained, and to engage the services of any persons to serve in the military and the naval forces of Victoria, and that the aforesaid armed vessels should be provided and maintained for the purpose of defending the coasts of Victoria ; and of co-operating in time of war with the ships of the Eoyal Navy in such manner and for such periods as the Governor of the said colony, with the advice of the Executive Council, should approve ; and that the men and officers of such armed vessels should, while ashore or afloat beyond the limits of the colony, be subject to all enactments and regulations for the time being in force for the discipline of the Eoyal Navy: And whereas the legislative authority of the said colony have made provision for effecting the aforesaid purposes, and the said colony have caused to be constructed three armed vessels named respectively "Victoria," "Albert," and "Childers: " Now, therefore, in pursuance of the first above-recited Act, Her Majesty is pleased, by and with the consent of Her Privy Council, to approve the provision, maintenance, and use of the said vessels, and the commissioning thereof, and the raising and maintaining the seamen and others entered thereon, for the purpose of defending the coasts of the said colony, and of co-operating in manner provided by the said Colonial Act, in time of war, with the ships of the Eoyal Navy. C. L. Peel.

Sub-Enclosure 2. At the Court at Windsor, the 4th day of March, 1884. Present: The Queen's most Excellent Majesty ; Lord President, Mr. Gladstone ; Lord Chamberlain, Mr. Dodson. Whereas by an Order in Council, of this day's date, Her Majesty was pleased, by and with the consent of Her Privy Council, to approve the provision, maintenance, and use by the .Colony of Victoria of three armed vessels, "Victoria," "Albert," and " Childers," and the commissioning thereof, and the raising and maintaining the seamen and others entered thereon, for the purpose of defending the coasts of the Colony of Victoria, and of co-operating in manner provided by an Act of the Legislature of the said colony, No. 389, amended by an Act, No. 417, in time of war, with the ships of the Eoyal Navy : And whereas by an Act of the Imperial Legislature, intituled "The Colonial Defence Act, 1865," it was amongst other things enacted that it shall be lawful for Her Majesty in Council, from time to time as occasion requires, and on such conditions as seem fit, to authorize the Admiralty to accept any offer for the time being made or to be made by the Government of a colony to place at Her Majesty's disposal any vessel of war provided by that Government, and the men and officers from time to time serving therein; and, while any vessel accepted by the Admiralty under such authority is at the disposal of Her Majesty, such vessel shall be deemed to all intents a vessel of war of the Eoyal Navy, and the men and officers from time to time serving in such vessel shall be deemed to all intents men and officers of the Eoyal Navy, and shall accordingly be subject to all enactments and regulations for the time being in force for the discipline of the Eoyal Navy : And whereas 'the Government of the Cajpny of Victoria hath offered to place the aforesaid ships, and the men and officers serving therein, at Her Majesty's disposal: Now, therefore, in pursuance of the last above-recited Act, Her Majesty is pleased, by and with the consent of her Privy Council, to authorize the Admiralty to accept, for such time as the Admiralty may approve, the offer so made by the Government of the said Colony of Victoria to place at Her Majesty's disposal the above-named vessels "Victoria," " Albert," and " Childers," and the men and officers serving therein. C. L. Peel.

No. 27. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 27th November, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of a letter Answer, which has been addressed by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to the No- 34-Agent-General for New Zealand, notifying the appointment by the Queen of a Royal Commission for the purpose of organizing and carrying out an Exhibition in London during the year 1886 of the products, manufactures, and resources

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of Her Majesty's Colonial and Indian Empire, and fully explaining the proposed arrangements for the Exhibition. The Prince of Wales has done me the honour of communicating with me repeatedly, while the scheme, now so fully elaborated, was under His Royal Highness's consideration, and I feel satisfied that, under the personal supervision of His Royal Highness, this Exhibition ought to afford a more interesting and a more complete illustration of the Colonial Empire than any which has preceded it. I am confident that you will share my satisfaction in feeling assured that the Prince's warm interest in the Colonial Empire, as well as His Royal Highness's ability in practical administration, will be devoted to the success of this great undertaking ; and it only remains for me to recommend it to the most favourable consideration of your Government, and to request that you will do everything in your power to ensure the best possible representation of your colony. Copies of the general plan referred to in His Royal Highness's letter will be furnished by the Secretary to the Royal Commission to the Agent-General for transmission to your Government. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., 0.8., &o. DERBY.

Enclosure. Sir,— Marlborough House, Pall Mall, S.W., 24th November, 1884. The official Gazette of the 18th instant, a copy of which is enclosed, notifies the appointment by Her Majesty the Queen of the Eoyal Commission, of which you are a member, for the purpose of organizing and carrying out an exhibition in London, during the year 1886, of the products, manufactures, and resources of the Colonial and Indian Empire. In assuming the active presidency of this Commission, I am desirous of having the opportunity of bringing prominently under notice the development and progress which have been made in the various parts of the British Empire, trusting that a more intimate knowledge may thus be obtained of the vast fields for enterprise which exist throughout the British dominions. You are doubtless aware that the financial system by which the International Exhibitions held in London in 1851 and 1862 were carried out was on the basis of a guarantee fund, and this system has been successfully followed in the series of International Exhibitions now being held at South Kensington, in the buildings erected by the Executive Committee of the International Fisheries Exhibition. I may here mention that these buildings, as well as the gardens, have, with my approval, been rented from the Fisheries Executive and from Her Majesty's Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851, respectively, and I have decided that these arrangements shall continue during the year 1886. I have determined to carry out the Colonial and Indian Exhibition upon this same system of guarantee, and the Secretary of State for India in Council has already guaranteed the sum of £20,000 out of the £50,000 which it is estimated will be sufficient. I trust that the great colonies, represented in England by the High Commissioner and the Agents-General, upon the co-operation of which the success of the Exhibition must mainly depend, will feel able to guarantee sums amounting in the aggregate to at least £30,000; and I should be glad to be informed, at your earliest convenience, of the amount which your Government would be disposed to guarantee for the purpose of assisting to carry out this undertaking. I should add that the experience of the recent Exhibitions which have been held at South Kensington affords the well-grounded hope that the Exhibition of 1886 will be self-supporting, and that, as in their case, it will not be necessary to make any call upon the gaurantors. With regard to the division of the available exhibiting space in the buildings among the various exhibiting Governments, I have to inform you that it has been decided that it will be more conducive to the general interests of this Exhibition that the Eoyal Commission should itself make the best possible appropriation of such space. I therefore forward with this letter a general plan of the buildings, on which the space which the Eoyal Commission has directed should be set apart for the Government of New Zealand is clearly indicated. To this general plan is annexed an enlarged plan, together with sections and elevations of this space, thus, I trust, affording all the information necessary to enable the preparatory arrangements for fitting up the court to be made in the colony itself. This space amounts to 7,100 square feet; and, except that it is necessary to provide for the circulation of visitors —a longitudinal passage 25ft. in width, and smaller side-passages, especially where doors occur in the structure, of 12ft. in width—the disposition of this space is entirely left to your Government. I would only say that I trust that no barriers or partitions may be erected between the spaces assigned to the various Colonial Governments, and which might in any way mar the general effect. With reference to the administration of the Exhibition, I have already stated that it is my intention to take the same executive part as I did in the case of the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1878, and, with the consent of Her Majesty's Government, I have selected Sir Philip Cunliffe-Owen, K.C.M.G., C.8., C.1.E., Director of the South Kensington Museum, to act as Secretary to the Eoyal Commission. I shall, in any matters of special importance, address myself personally to the Executive Commissioner appointed by your Government, but I shall be obliged by all general correspondence being carried on with the Secretary to the Eoyal Commission j

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As regards the method of representation to be adopted by your Government, I hope that your Government will appoint a single Executive Commissioner to represent it at the Exhibition, and it will give me great pleasure to find that you have been nominated to this post, and that, if necessary, not more than two or three Commissioners, appointed by your Government, should assist you in these duties. Without being able to fix an exact date so far in advance, the Exhibition will open during the first fortnight in May in the year 1886. With the ample time which is being given to all concerned, I sincerely hope that the work of installation may be complete at least a fortnight previous to the date of opening. As the object of the Exhibition is to represent the progress and the development of each colony, it has been considered impracticable to call upon the Colonial Governments to comply with any form of classification as has been the custom at previous Exhibitions. Each colony is, therefore, at liberty to make a classification most suitable to its own requirements. In furtherance of this idea, I trust that each Government will take an early opportunity of preparing a catalogue of the objects intended for exhibition, which, for the sake of uniformity, I would request should be modelled somewhat on the principle of the enclosed specimen, more especially as regards size of page and style of type. Each Government will be at liberty to sell its own catalogue, but the Eoyal Commission will be glad to receive, as soon as practicable, a digest of it, in order that it may be embodied in a general catalogue of the Exhibition, which will be published by the Commission. Many points of interest will doubtless present themselves to you and to those who are concerned in the preparation of the Exhibition, but I should wish particularly to point out that I hope that careful statistics of your colony may be prepared, carrying the information to 1885, and in such a clear and readable form as to permit this valuable information to be readily understood by the working classes of this country. Maps, specially prepared for the information of the public, should also, as far as possible, be prominently shown in the New Zealand Court. It is hoped that these statistics, as well as the maps on a reduced scale, will be largely made use of in the catalogues. Much interest is taken in this country in the woods of the various colonies, and I should be glad to find that where cases are requisite for the display of goods, these cases should be made from the native woods of your colony, in order that a complete representation of them may be practically shown. With reference to the building-stones and marbles of your colony, I would suggest that they should be sent over in the form of pedestals, a sketch to scale of which is enclosed, as likely to add uniformity, and to render the specimens of commercial value. As it is possible that the various Colonial Governments participating in the Exhibition may desire, as its outcome, that a permanent Colonial Museum should be founded in London, it has been suggested that there are strong reasons for showing the adaptability of the products of your colony generally in as practical a manner as possible; hence it would be desirable that the raw product should be displayed in connection with the manufactured article. I have decided that commemorative medals should be given to all those taking part in this Exhibition; and I trust to have the assistance of specialists of known repute who will commence to make, at the opening of the Exhibition, exhaustive reports on the resources of the various colonies. These reports, issued at an early stage, will take the place of the jury system of previous Exhibitions. Before closing this letter, I should wish briefly to refer to special features which I have in view for the general advantage of the exhibiting Governments. This would seem to be a fitting occasion for the collection of all books and documents having relation to the colonies and India; a library therefore will, I trust, be formed by the various Governments concerned, which it will doubtless be found possible to supplement with contributions from this country. Special arrangements will be provided for the practical illustration, by one special kitchen, of all the colonial frozen meat industries, and of the colonial preserved meats, fish, and vegetables, should you be able to announce that the various producers, through your Government, are prepared to furnish the necessary supply. This department will be carried out by the Eoyal Commission itself, in order that the due participation of the various interests concerned may be maintained. There will also be a colonial fruit and vegetable market, which it is hoped that each Government will make arrangements to supply by monthly shipments. This department will also be under the control of the Eoyal Commission. An exhibition of colonial wines will be organised by the Eoyal Commission. I have also made arrangements for a limited space to be set apart for the exhibition of living animals from the colonies. In assuming the control of these various departments, the Eoyal Commission wishes to afford to the actual producers all the advantages of a fair display in the exhibition. The importers will, no doubt, hereafter benefit, but, at the present time, the interests of producers, as exhibitors, are of the first consideration to me ; and here I may mention that in these departments, as well as generally throughout the Exhibition, I have decided that only bond fide colonists can, through their respective Governments, participate in the Exhibition; it will not, therefore, be possible for the Eoyal Commission to entertain any application, upon any pretence whatever, from colonial Importers or agents in this country. I send to you this letter in duplicate, and I trust that you will have the kindness to communicate its substance by telegram to your Government, and forward my despatch by the earliest mail.

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I may add, for your information, that a further copy has been sent to the Colonial Office with a request that the Earl of Derby will forward the same to her Majestys' representative, the Governor of New Zealand. I have, &c, Albebt Edwaed, P. Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., Agent-General for New Zealand.

No. 28. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 29th November, 1884. L| I have been in communication with the General Council of Medical ' Education and Registration of the United Kingdom respecting a suggestion that copies of each revised list of persons removed from the Medical Register in this country should be communicated to the Medical Boards in the principal colonies, as it might otherwise happen that medical practitioners might become registered in those colonies who have been disqualified in the United Kingdom. I enclose a copy of a letter which I have received from the General Council, whom I have requested to supply such lists in future to the Registrar-General for Births, Marriages and Deaths, Wellington, who appears to be Registrar-General under the provisions of "The Medical Practitioners Registration Act, 1869," and to send them to this office, in order that they may be forwarded to the colony in the Governor's mail bag. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. P. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

Answer, a.-i No. si.

Enclosure. General Council of Medical Education and Kegistration of the United Kingdom, Sib,— 299, Oxford Street, London, W., 15th May, 1884. In reference to your communication of the Ist instant, transmitting a copy of a despatch from the Governor of South Australia enclosing a letter from the President of the Medical Board of South Australia respecting the registration in the colony of medical practitioners who have been disqualified in the United Kingdom, I am directed to inform you that this subject was considered by this Council at a meeting held on the 13th instant, and the following resolution passed thereon: — Resolved, "That the Secretary of State for the Colonies be informed that if he will forward from time to time a list of the bodies to whom in his opinion the communication in question should be made, the Council will with pleasure prepare and transmit to the Colonial Office copies of each revised list of the persons so removed from the Eegister." W. J. C. Millar, John Bramston, Esq., Eegistrar.

No. 29. (New Zealand, No. 77.) Sib,— Downing Street, 29th November, 1881. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 79, of the 11th October, enclosing copies of a work entitled " Health for the Maoris," by Mr. J. 11. Pope. • I have, &c, DERBY. Governor Sir W. P. D. Jervois, G.0.M.G., C.8., &c.

A.-l, No. 2.

No. 30. (New Zealand, No. 78.) S IR} Downing Street, 6th December, 1884. I referred to the Board of Trade your Despatch No. 66, of the 13th of September last, relating to the question of the confirmation by the Governor of New Zealand of the reports of inquiries into wrecks held in that colony. I enclose a copy of a letter received from the Board of Trade in reply. You will be so good as to lay this letter before your Ministers, and to suggest for their consideration the expediency of amending the colonial law so as to make it correspond with the Imperial Merchant Shipping Acts; or, if they should think it desirable to retain the provision making the confirmation of the Governor necessary for the cancellation or suspension of colonial certificates, to so amend

A.-l, 1884, No. 26.

Answer, A.-l, No. 49.

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the law as to make it clear that section 244 of " The New Zealand Shipping and Seamen Act, 1877," does not apply to Imperial certificates. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

Enclosure. Inquiries Colonial. Board of Trade (Marine Department), Whitehall Gardens, S.W., Sic,— 20th November, 1884. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant transmitting a despatch from Sir William Jervois with reference to the confirmation by him of the report of a Court of inquiry, from which it appears that the Solicitor-General for New Zealand is of opinion that the confirmation of a report by the Governor is still necessary, as section 7 of " The Merchant Shipping and (Colonial Inquiries) Act, 1882," only repeals certain words in section 242 of "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854," and does not affect section 244 of the New Zealand Shipping and Seamen Act of 1877. With reference thereto I am to state, for the information of the Earl of Derby, that they concur in the opinion expressed by the colonial Solicitor-General as to the necessity to comply with the New Zealand Acts when dealing with a certificate granted under those Acts, but when an Imperial certificate is in question, it is obvious that the provisions of the Imperial law cannot be overridden by a colonial enactment, but that they must be carefully followed in order to render a decision valid. The matter stands in this way : The Imperial Acts of 1854 and 1862 lay down certain rules the observance of which is necessary in order that an Imperial certificate may be cancelled or suspended. These rules are, with one exception, in full force in every colony at the present day. The exception is the provision in section 242, subsection 5, " The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854," requiring the confirmation of a decision by the Governor of a colony. That provision was, by the Colonial Inquiries Act of 1882, not merely repealed, but it was repealed as from the date of the Act of 1862 itself, as if it had never thereafter existed. In other words, such confirmation from the moment the Act of 1862 passed was rendered unnecessary to the validity of a decision affecting an Imperial certificate, and for the reason above given the condition in question cannot be reimposed by virtue only of a colonial statute. The New Zealand Act of 1877 is returned herein as requested, and I am to suggest for the Earl of Derby's consideration that the substance of the above remarks may be communicated to the colonial authorities. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Thomas Gbay.

No. 31. (New Zealand, No. 79.) Sir,- — Downing Street, 11th December, 1884. Her Majesty's Government have given much consideration to the proposal, first made at the end of the last session of Parliament and renewed on several occasions during the present session, that they should, without further delay, proceed with the legislation necessary for the establishment of a Federal Council of Australasia, as proposed by the Convention held at Sydney at the end of last year. Your Government will have understood, from the answers given in Parliament to questions on this subject, that notwithstanding the reluctance of Her Majesty's Government to bring forward, during the autumn session of this year, any other business than that for the consideration of which Parliament was specially summoned, they would not have been unwilling to introduce a Bill for the establishment of a Federal Council, if the condition of public business should have appeared favourable, and if there should have been a prospect of such unanimity with regard to the principle and the details of the measure as might have encouraged the hope of its passing without discussion. There appears, however, to have been some misapprehension as to the scope and character of the Bill which Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to introduce. They have not at any time had it in contemplation to bring before Parliament any other measure than that of which the draft was settled by the Convention at Sydney, subject, of course, to such amendments as that draft might be found to require. But from expressions which have been used, both in this country and in Australia, and from the apprehensions which have been entertained, more particularly in New South Wales, as to the course likely to be taken, it

Answer, A.-l No. 38.

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would seem to have been supposed that Her Majesty's Government have had under consideration the introduction of a Bill to unite the colonies, or to enable them to unite, in a complete federation, such as that of the Dominion of Canada, under which the existing independent colonial constitutions would be (except for certain provincial purposes) effaced by the establishment of a single controlling Government and Legislature. It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to explain that Her Majesty's Government have had, and could have had, no such intention. There has been no expression of the desire of the Australasian Colonies for a union of that nature ; and if there had been a general feeling in favour of it, it would have been impossible to preyed in the matter without very full consideration of principles and details, in consultation with representatives of the colonies specially empowered to negotiate. Moreover, the Imperial Parliament would not have consented to legislate on the subject without being assured that the wishes and interests of each colony had been duly ascertained and considered ; and still less would it have been possible to pass a measure enabling Her Majesty in general terms to create an Australasian Dominion on conditions to be subsequently settled with the colonies. It was, therefore, the Bill drafted by the Sydney Convention which Her Majesty's Government would have been willing to proceed with this year if they had been in a position to do so; and as this has not been practicable I have thought it desirable to take advantage of the opportunity afforded by the adjournment of the sittings of Parliament until next year, and to invite the Colonial Governments to consider some amendments which it appears desirable to introduce into the draft Bill. This measure appears to be generally well considered, providing as it does for the association of any four or more of the colonies, by means of a " Federal Council," in such legislation and action as their common concern in certain specified matters of external interest may render desirable, without any diminution of their independent power of internal self-government, and without compelling the co-operation of, or seeking to bind any, colony which, for whatever reason, may not desire to be represented in the Federal Council. By this commencement of united action an important step will have been taken towards that completer federation which many desire to see accomplished; and it will have become possible to ascertain, with greater certainty than in any other manner, whether circumstances are likely to be favourable to such federation at any early date, or whether the independent constitutions under which the colonies now enjoy signal prosperity and good government, should be maintained for a prolonged term in their present form. I transmit to you copies of the draft Bill, which I have had reprinted, so as to show the amendments in it, which, as at present advised, Her Majesty's Government are disposed to think desirable. Many of these are little more than verbal, and require no special explanation. The 3rd clause may be conveniently omitted, as the 15th clause sufficiently confers the legislative power which it was intended to provide. In the sth clause it seems desirable to make provision for the enlargement of the Council, should that course become expedient in consequence of the increasing importance of the business to be dealt with. In the 15th clause it will be desirable to omit the words purporting to give the Federal Council legislative authority "over all Her Majesty's possessions in Australasia, and over all British ships sailing between them," because no language should be used which could be construed as implying that the authority conferred on the Federal Council derogates from, or conflicts with, the authority of the separate Colonial Legislatures in regard to all matters of internal policy and administration; and further, because there may be many cases in which it would not be right or practicable to vest in the Federal Council unlimited control over British ships sailing between Her Majesty's possessions. And as it is possible that there will be additional subjects, not at present under notice, in respect of which it may be convenient that the Council should have authority, it is proposed to reserve to the Queen the power of referring to the Council any matter which Her Majesty may think it desirable to Tiring' under its jurisdiction.

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No Order in Council would, of course, be issued for this purpose except with the concurrence of the colonies sending representatives to the Federal Council. It has been questioned whether it would be constitutional and expedient for the Crown to delegate to the Council an unlimited power of dealing with the matters specified in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this Isth clause, amongst other reasons because they are matters affecting, possibly to a considerable extent, the subjects of foreign Powers. It has not been thought necessary to exclude any of these matters from the jurisdiction of the Federal Council, but it will be desirable that all Bills dealing with any of them should be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's joleasure, or the proposed Bills previously submitted for the consideration of Her Majesty's Government. It is proposed to introduce into the 20th clause words making the legislation of the Council applicable to British ships sailing from or arriving in a British colony or possession. In the 26th clause an important addition is suggested as to which it is desirable that I should learn the wishes of the Colonial Governments. The draft Bill does not touch the question of the provision of funds for carrying out the action determined upon by the Federal Council in respect of any matter within its authority. If it were to be necessary to obtain from each separate Legislature a vote or an Act of Parliament whenever expenditure has to be provided for, much delay must ensue, and in the event of one or more Legislatures declining to vote the required proportion there would be serious financial complications. The subject appears to deserve careful consideration, and it has occurred to Her Majesty's Government that the colonies may prefer that any Bill of the Federal Council involving expenditure beyond a limited small amount should be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure in order to afford an opportunity for considering such representations as any Colonial Government may desire to make upon it. Lastly, a new clause is proposed to follow the 30th clause of the draft Bill in order to provide for the retirement from the Federal Council of any colony which may so determine. It appears right and reasonable that there should be this power of ceasing to take part in the Council, although I trust that it will not be exercised. In the case of a complete federal union there would be obvious and grave objections to the insertion of any clause to this effect, but as the present limited co-operation is of an experimental nature, and as it may hereafter be found that the proceedings and expenditure of the Council are connected to a greater extent than may be now foreseen, with subjects not directly concerning some one or more of the colonies, the decision to co-operate should not be irrevocable. I have now noticed the principal alterations which the draft Bill seems to require, and I shall be glad to receive any observations which your Government may desire to make upon them at the earliest possible date, and, if practicable, by telegraph. I cannot, of course, bind Her Majesty's Government to adopt any suggestions that may be made, as it will be necessary for them to take that course which may be most in accordance with the wishes and interests of the colonies generally, but they will give the most careful consideration to the views of your Government, and I trust that it will be found practicable at an early period of next year to pass a satisfactory measure, and that before many months a Federal Council representing all the colonies which took part in framing the draft Bill at the Convention of Sydney will be in full operation. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

Enclosure. Australasian Federal Council Draft Bill.—Suggestions foe eevision of Draft. [Note. —The words in obliterated type are proposed to be omitted, those in italics are proposed to be inserted.] A Bill intituled " An Act to constitute a Federal Council of Australasia." Whereas it is expedient to constitute a Federal Council of Australasia, for the purpose of dealing with such matters of common Australasian interest, in respect to which united action is desirable, as can be dealt with without unduly interfering with the management of the internal affairs of the several colonies by their respective Legislatures: Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent 4—A. 2.

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Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of her Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows : — 1. In this Act, unless the context otherwise require, the following terms shall bear the meanings set opposite to them respectively : " Colonies." —The Colonies (including their respective dependencies) of Fiji, New Zealand, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia, and the province of South Australia, and any other colonies that may^ hereafter be created in Australasia, aa44k«s-*esfeetiw-4epeadefieie% or those of the said colonies in respect to which this Act is in operation : " Crown colony." —Any colony in which the control of public affairs is retained by Her Majesty's Imperial Government: " Her Majesty's possessions in Australasia."—The colonies and thoir dopondoncioo. and such other territories as Her Majesty may from time to time declare by Order in Council to he within the operation of this Act: Proclamatiea: " Council." —The Federal Council as hereby constituted : " Governor."—The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or other officer administering the Government of the colony referred to, with the advice of his Executive Council, except in the case of a Crown colony, in which case the word shall mean the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or such other officer alone. 2. There shall be in and for Her Majesty's possessions in Australasia a Federal Council, constituted as hereinafter provided, and called the Federal Council of Australasia, which shall have the functions, powers, and authority hereinafter defined. B;—3ffifem ouch pe6Besaeaß-Hep-Maj-e(4y-sliall have powef, by and with tho adYiee-aad-eeßseat-of the GeHßeilj4e-aake4awo fef-fee-ygpeeoa horeiflaJtef-spocifiod. 4. A session of the Council shall be held once at least in every two years. 5. Each colony shall be represented in the Council hy two members, except in the case of Crown colonies, which shall be represented by one member each. Her Majesty may by Order in Council from time to time increase the number of representatives for each colony. 6. The Legislature of any colony may make such provision as it thinks fit for the appointment of the representatives of that colony, and for determining the tenure of their office. 7. The first session of the Council shall be held at Hobart, in the Colony of Tasmania. Subsequent sessions shall be held in such colony as the Council shall from time to time determine. 8. The Council shall be summoned and prorogued by the Governor of the colony in which the session shall be held; and shall be so summoned and prorogued by Proclamation, published in the Government Gazette of each of the colonies; and shall meet at such time and at such place as shall be named in the Proclamation. 9. The Governor of each colony shall from time to time transmit to the Governors of the other colonies the names of the members appointed to represent the colony of which he is Governor. 10. Notwithstanding any vacancy in the representation of any colony, the Council shall be competent to proceed to the despatch of business, and to exercise the authority hereby conferred upon it. 11. At the request of the Governors of any three of the colonies, a special session of the Council shall be summoned to deal with such special matters as may be mentioned in the Proclamation convening it. Until the Council shall make other provision in that behalf, any such special session shall be summoned by the Governor of Tasmania, and shall be held at Hobart. 12. The Council shall in each session elect one of its members to be President. 13. The presence of a majority of the whole number of members of the Council for the time being, representing a majority of the colonies with respect to which this Act is in operation, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the dispatch of business, and all questions which shall arise in the Council shall be decided by the votes of a majority of the members present, including the President. 14. No member of the Council shall sit or vote until he shall have taken and subscribed before the Governor of one of the colonies the oath of allegiance contained in the schedule hereto : Provided that every member authorized by the law of the colony which he represents to make an affirmation instead of taking an oath may make such affirmation instead of the oath hereby required to be taken. 15. Saving Her Majesty's prerogative, and subject to the provisions herein contained with respect to the operation of this Act, the Council shall have legislative authority evor all Hor Majooty'a peesoooiom in Auotralaoia, aad over all British ohipo nailing botwooa thorn, in respect to the several matters following : (a.) The relations of Australasia with the Islands of the Pacific. (b.) Prevention of the influx of criminals. (c.) Fisheries in Australasian waters beyond territorial limits. (d.) The service of civil process of the Courts of any colony within Her Majesty's possessions in Australasia out of the jurisdiction of the colony in which it is issued. (c.) The enforcement of judgments of Courts of law of any colony beyond the limits of the colony. (f.) The enforcement of criminal process beyond the limits of the colony in which it is issued, and the extradition of offenders (including deserters of wives and children, and deserters from the Imperial or colonial naval or military forces). (g.) The custody of offenders on board ships belonging to Her Majesty's Colonial Governments beyond territorial limits.

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( .) Any matter which Her Majesty by Order in Council shall think fit to refer to the Council. (h.) Such of the following matters as may be referred to the Council by the Legislatures of any two or more colonies—that is to say, general defences, quarantine, patents of invention and discovery, copyright, bills of exchange and promissory notes, uniformity of weights and measures, recognition in other colonies of any marriage or divon..:.; duly solemnized or decreed in any colony, naturalization of aliens, status of coporations and. joint-stock companies in other colonies than that in which they have been constituted, and any other matter of general Australasian interest with respect to which the Legislatures of the several colonies can legislate within their own limits, and as to which it is deemed desirable that there should be a law of general application: Provided that in such cases the Acts of the Council shall extend only to the colonies by whose Legislatures the matter shall have been so referred to it, and such other colonies as may afterwards adopt the same. Every Bill in respect of the matters marked (a), (V), or (c), shall, unless previously approved by Her Majesty through one of her Principal Secretaries of State, be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. 16. The Governors of any two or more of the colonies may, upon an Address of the Legislatures of such colonies, refer, for the consideration and determination of the Council, any questions relating to those colonies or their relations with one another, and the Council shall thereupon have authority to consider and determine by Act of Council the matters so referred to it. 17. Every Bill passed by the Council shall be presented, for Her Majesty's assent, to the Governor of the colony in which the Council shall be sitting, who shall declare, according to his discretion, but subject to the provisions of this Act and to Her Majesty's instructions, either that he assents thereto in Her Majesty's name, or that he withholds such assent, or that he reserves the Bill for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure, or that he will be prepared to assent thereto, subject to certain amendments to be specified by him. 18. When the Governor assents to a Bill in Her Majesty's name, he shall, by the first convenient opportunity, send an authentic copy of the Act to one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, and if Her Majesty, within one year after receipt thereof by the Secretary of State, thinks fit to disallow the Act, such disallowance (with a certificate of the Secretary of State of the day on which the Act was received by him) being signified by such Governor by message to the Council, or by Proclamation in the Government Gazette, of all the colonies affected thereby, shall annul the Act from and after the day of such signification. 19. A Bill reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure shall not have any force unless and until, within one year from the day on which it was presented to the Governor for Her Majesty's assent, such Governor signifies, by message to the Council, or by Proclamation published as last aforesaid, that it has received the assent of Her Majesty. 20. All Acts of the Council, on being assented to in manner hereinbefore provided, shall have the force of law in all Her Majesty's possessions in Australia in respect to which this Act is in operation, or in the several colonies to which they shall extend, as the case may be, and on board all British ships other than Her Majesty's ships of war, whose last port of clearance or port of destination is in any such possession or colony 21. Every Act assented to in the first instance shall be proclaimed in the Government Gazette of the colony in which the session of the Council at which it was passed was held, and shall also be transmitted by the Governor assenting thereto to the Governors of the several colonies affected thereby, and shall be proclaimed by them within the respective colonies of which they are Governors. 22. If in any case the provisions of any Act of the Council shall be repugnant to, or inconsistent with, the law of any colony affected thereby, the former shall prevail, and the latter shall, so far as such repugnancy or inconsistency extends, have no operation. 23. The Council may from time to time make and adopt such standing rules and orders as may be necessary for the conduct of its business, and all such rules and orders shall be binding on the members of the Council. 24. The Council may appoint temporary '©r permanent Committees of its members to perform such duties, whether during the session of the Council or when the Council is not in session, as may be referred to them by the Council. 25. The Council may appoint such officers and servants as may be necessary for the proper conduct of its business, and may direct the payment to them of such remuneration as it may think fit. 26. The necessary expenditure atfarrod by connected with the business of the Council shall be defrayed in the first instance by the colony wherein the expenditure is incurred, and shall be ultimately contributed and paid by the several colonies in proportion to their population. If any Act of the Council involves expenditure the Council may provide therein that such expenditure shall be contributed and paid by the several colonies in proportion to their population. The amounts payable by the several colonies shall be assessed and apportioned, in case of difference, by the Governor of the Colony of Tasmania. 27. It shall be the duty of the Governor of each colony to direct the payment by the Colonial Treasurer or other proper officer of the colony of the amount of the contribution payable by such colony under the provisions of the preceding section. 28. Whenever it shall be necessary to prove the proceedings of the Council in any Court of justice, or otherwise, a certified copy of such proceedings under the hand of the clerk or other officer appointed in that behalf by the Council shall be conclusive evidence of the proceedings appearing by such copy to have been had or taken.

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29. Tho Council may make such representations or recommendations to Her Majesty as it may think fit with respect to any matters of general Australasian interest, or to the relations of Her Majesty's possessions in Australasia with the possessions of foreign Powers. 30. This Act shall not come into operation in respect of any colony until the Legislature of such colony shall have passed an Act or Ordinance declaring that the same shall be in force therein, and appointing a day on and from which such operation shall take effect, nor until four colonies at the least shall have passed such Act or Ordinance. 31. This Act shall cease to be in operation in respect to any colony in which the Legislature shall have passed an Act or Ordinance declaring that the same shall cease to be in force therein : Provided nevertheless that all Acts of the Council passed while this Act was in operation in such colony shall continue to be in force therein, unless altered or repealed by the Council. 32. This Act shall be styled and may be cited as " The Federal Council of Australasia Act, 1884."

Schedule. I j ; do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria and her successors in the sovereignty of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland : So help me God. .. . Note.—The name of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland tor the time being is to be substituted from time to time, with proper terms of reference thereto.

No. 32. (New Zealand, No. 80.) g lEj _ Downing Street, 29th December, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 88, of the Bth November last, enclosing a memorandum from the Premier of your Government, with one from Major Atkinson, which represents the views of the Government of which he was Premier, relating to the question of the presentation to the Imperial Parliament of further correspondence upon the subject of certain despatches from Sir A. Gordon respecting Native affairs in New Zealand. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. P. D. Jervois, G.0.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

A.-l, No. 8,

No. 33. (New Zealand, No. 2.) nr g i:R __ Downing Street, 10th January, 1885. With reference to my telegram of to-day's date and to previous correspondence respecting the charge brought against William Sheehan, I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Irish Government, on which my telegram was founded. _ I have to request that you will move your Government to afford bergeant Dunny, on his arrival in New Zealand, all proper facilities and assistance for the execution of his duty. • 1 have» &°:i Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.G.M.G., 0.8., &c. DERBY.

Answer, A.-l No. 39.

Enclosure. g IE Dublin, Castle 9th January, 1885. Eeferring to your telegram of the 26th December, 1884, announcing the arrest of William Sheehan in New Zealand, I am directed by the Lord-Lieutenant to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State, that the bearer, Sergeant William Dunny, Eoyal Irish Constabulary, is now ready to start for New Zealand to bring Sheehan to this country. Sergeant Dunny brings with him the original warrant and informations in the case, which have been duly authenticated by the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The Sergeant has been directed to produce these documents to you for inspection, should you so desire. As your telegram of the 26th ultimo does not state where in New Zealand Sheehan is in custody, I am to request that you will be good enough to inform the Sergeant of this, and provide him with a letter to the proper authority in New Zealand. _ ~.,..,..■■ , ,j As the Sergeant is going by himself, and circumstances may render it expedient that he should be accompanied on the voyage home when in charge of the prisoner, I am to add that the Irish Government will defray the expense in this regard, should such a course become necessary At the same time, it is most important that as little expense as possible shall be incurred, and it the prisoner can bo committed, in a measure, to the custody of the captain of the ship as well as to Sergeant Dunny, and a telegram sent informing me of the departure and probable date of the arrival

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of the ship in this country, the necessity, as far as can be judged here, for a second officer is not apparent. Circumstances, however, not within present knowledge, may arise rendering a second officer indispensable. I am further to request that you will be good enough to have such communications made as will insure every necessary assistance being given to Sergeant Dunny in New Zealand. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, I have, &c, London, S.W. R- Gr. 0. Hamilton.

No. 34. (New Zealand, No. 3.) Sib,, — Downing Street, 20th January, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 99, of the 6th of December last, enclosing resolutions as passed respectively by the House of Representatives and by the Legislative Council of New Zealand, together with a memorandum drawn up by the Colonial Treasurer on questions relating to federation and the South Sea Islands. I have read your despatch and its enclosures, and especially Sir J. Vogel's able memorandum, with much interest, and I will not fail to keep in view the suggestions now put before me when the Federal Council Bill comes under the consideration of Parliament. 1 have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &o. DERBY.

A.-l, No. 13,

No. 35. (New Zealand, No. 4.) S IX} Downing Street, 21st January, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 91, of the 10th of November, reporting the prorogation by commission of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament of New Zealand. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., 0.8., &c. DERBY.

A.-l, No. 10,

No.. 36. (New Zealand, No. 6.) g IE , s Downing Street, 29th January, 1885. I have the honour to inform you that Her Majesty will not he advised to exercise her power of disallowance with respect to the following Acts passed by the Legislature of New Zealand, transcripts of which accompanied your Despatch No. 98, of the 6th December last, viz.:—

A.-l, No. 12.

No. 1. "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account to tho Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first day of March, One thousand eight hundred and eighty-five." No. 2. " An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account to tho Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first day of March, One thousand eight hundred and eighty-five." No. 3. " An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the PuSlic Account to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first day of March, One thousand eight hundred and eighty-five." No. 4. " An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first day of March, One thousand eight hundred and eighty-five." No. 5. " An Act to amend the Public Revenues Acts." No. 6. " An Act to repeal ' The Sharebrokers Act, 1871,' and ' The Sharebrokers Act Amendment Act, 1872.' " No. 7. " An Act to further enable Affirmations to be taken in lieu of Oaths." No. 8. " An Act to regulate the Granting of Pensions to Persons retiring from the Public Service df the Colony." No. 9. " An Act to extend the Operation of ' The Registration of Births and Deaths Act Amendment Act, 1882,' in certain cases." No. 10. " An Act to amend the Law relating to the Property of Married Women." No. 11. " An Act to provide for reimbursing Members of the General Assembly their Expenses in relation to their Attendance at Parliament, and further to define their Privileges."

No. 12. " An Act to amena ' The Public Health Act, 1876.' " No. 13. "An Act to prohibit the Introduction of certain Animals into tho Chatham Islands." No. 14. "An Act in further Amendment of ' The Public Works Act, 1882.'" No. 15. " An Act to authorize the Construction of the East and West Coast (Middle Island) Railway, under ' The Bailways Construction and Land Act, 1881,' with certain Modifications and Extensions of the said Act, also of a Railway to connect Nelson with the said East and West Coast Railway, and to authorize the Construction of the Putaruru and Rotorua Railway." No. 16. " An Act to enlarge the Time wherein Reserves for Natives may be made under ' Tho Waikato Confiscated Lands Act, 1880.' " No. 17. " An Act to amend ' The Anatomy Act, 1875.' " No. 18. " An Act to prevent the Publication of a False Notice of Birth, Marriage, or Death." No. 19. "An Act for the better Securing of Workmen's Wages." No. 20. "An Act to amend ' Tho Employment of Eemales and Others Act, 1881.' " No. 21. "An Act to amend 'The Destitute Persons Act, 1877.'" No. 22. " An Act to amend ' The Justices of the Peace Act 1882.' " No. 23. "An Act in Extension of ' The Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Act, 1881.' " No. 24. "An Act to consolidate the Laws for the Suppression of Various Offences and in Restraint of Vagrancy." No. 25. "An Act to amend ' The Slaughterhouses Act, 1877.' "

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No. 26. " An Act to enable Societies or Trustees for Religious, Charitable, Educational, or Scientific Purposes to form themselves into Bodies Corporate." No. 27. " An Act to enable Foreign Trading Corporations to efficiently carry on Business in New Zealand, to sue and be sued, and otherwise have a Legal Status in the Colony." No. 28. "An Act to amend ' The Bills of Exchange Act, 1883.'" No. 29. " An Act to amend ' The Bankruptcy Act, 1883.' " No. 30. "An Act to incorporate as an Association the Holders of Policies under ' The Government Insurance and Annuities Act, 1874,' and other Policyholders, and to regulate the Affairs of the said Association." No. 31. " An Act relating to Life Assurance Policies." No. 32. " An Act to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to the Construction, Maintenance, and Protection of Electric Lines for Purposes of Communication or for other Purposes, and to provide for the Regulation thereof." No. 33. " An Act to define more clearly the Power of the Public Trustee under ' The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881,' and otherwise to amend the said Act." No. 34. " An Act to amend ' The Land Act, 1877.'" No. 35. "An Act to make Provision for the Drainage of Mines in Mining Districts." No. 36. " An Act to authorize the Use of Rivers, Streams, and Tidal Creeks for floating Timber and other Substances." No. 37. "An Act to-further amend 'The Road Boards Act, 1882.'" No. 38. "An Act to amend ' The Municipal Corporations Act, 1876.'" No. 39. "An Act to encourage the Production of Sugar from Beet-root and Sorghum." No. 40. " An Act to impose a Property-Tax." No. 41. "An Act to provide for the Conversion of certain Loans into Consolidated Stock, and setting free the Sinking Funds accrued in respect thereof." No. 42. " An Act to authorize the Borrowing and Raising of Money for Immigration and Construction of Public Works, and for other Purposes." No. 43. " An Act relating to Trespass and the Impounding of Cattle, and to regulate the Management of Public Pounds." No. 44. " An Act to provide for the Destruction of the Insect known as Carpocapsa pomonella, or ' the Oodlin Moth.' " No. 45. " An Act to amend ' The Animals Protection Act, 1880.' " No. 46. " An Act to provide for the Destruction of Lice in Sheep." No. 47. " An Act to amend ' The Salmon and Trout Act, 1867.' " No. 48. " An Act to provide for the Conservation of Fisheries." No. 49. " An Act to consolidate the Laws relating to the Constitution of River Boards and the Construction of River Works." No. 50. " An Act to authorize the Construction of certain Railways, and to declare that a certain Railway already constructed is subject to the Provisions of ' The Public Works Act, 1882.' " No. 51. " An Act temporarily to prevent Dealings in Native Land by Private Persons within a Defined District of the North Island." No. 52. "An Act to repeal' The Westland Education District Subdivision Act, 1883,' and to make other Provision in lieu thereof." No. 53. " An Act to appropriate certain Sums of Money for the Purposes of Immigration and Public Works." No. 54. " An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Consolidated Fund and other Moneys to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first day of March, One thousand eight hundred and eighty-five, and to appropriate the Supplies granted in this present Session." Local Acts. No. 1. " An Act to remove Doubts whether the Board of Governors of the Auckland College and Grammar

School has Power to grant Free Education, Prizes, Exhibitions, and Scholarships to other Students than those educated at the said School." No. 2. " An Act to authorize the Sale of a Recreation Reserve at the Thames, in order to the Acquisition of another in place thereof." No. 3. " An Act to make further Provision for the Education of the Inhabitants of Tauranga." No. 4. " The Gisborne Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1884." No. 5. "An Act to authorize the Governor to grant to the Napier Harbour Board certain Lands, being part of the Foreshore and part of tho Land covered by Tidal Waters in Hawke's Bay, and to give Power to the said Board to erect Harbour Works and Borrowing Powers for carrying out such Works." No. 6. " An Act in Supplement of ' The Wellington College Reserves Confirmation Act, 1878.' " No. 7. " An Act to authorize the Wellington Harbour Board to consolidate certain Loans, and to borrow a further Sum of One Hundred Thousand Pounds, and also to increase the Powers of and to relieve the said Board in certain respects." No. 8. " An Act to confer Additional Powers upon the Kaiapoi Domain Board." No. 9. " An Act to confer Additional Powers upon the Kowa* Domain Board." No. 10. "An Act to constitute a Harbour Board for the Harbour of Westport." No. 11. "An Act to constitute a Harbour Board for the Harbour of Grey mouth." No. 12. "An Act to declare the Amount authorized to be borrowed under ' The Greymouth Harbour Board Act, 1884,' passed in this present Session of the General Assembly." No. 13. " An Act to provide for Leasing certain Portions of the Timaru Market Reserve." No. 14. "An Act to constitute a Board of Trustees, and to vest in it certain Public Domains in and near the Town of Hokitika, in the Provincial District of Westland, for the Purposes of a Racecourse." No. 15. " An Act to enable the Hokitika Harbour Board to acquire a Steam Tug-Boat." No. 16. " An Act to authorize tho Borough of Caversham to make Deviations in certain Drainage Works which have been authorized to be carried out." No. 17. "An Act to confer certain Powers on the Corporation of the Mayor, Councillors, and Citizens of the City of Dunedin." No. 18. " An Act to amend ' The Dunedin Drill-shod Reserve Act, 1876.'" No. 19. " An Act to amend ' The Otago Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1875.'" No. 20. "An Act to authorize the Ofcago Harbour Board to consolidate certain Loans." No. 21. "An Act to amend the Powers vested in the Otago Presbyterian Church Board of Property." No. 22. " An Act to authorize the Raising of a Loan by the Borough Council of West Harbour in discharge of a Debt due to the Waikouaiti County." No. 23. " An Act to enable Portions of certain Reserves in the Borough of Invercargill to be leased." No. 24. " An Act to grant certain Special Powers to the Governor to issue Crown Grants, and to enable him to carry out certain Contracts and Promises." Private Acts. STo. 1. "An Act to confer Powers upon 'The Perpetual Trustees, Estate, and Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited).'" STo. 2. "An Act to amend 'The Trustees, Executors, and Agency Company Act, 1882.' " STo. 3. "An Act to enable the Gisborne Gas Company (Limited) to supply the Town of Gisborne and Suburbs with Gas." STo. 4. " An Act empowering ' The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited)' to alter its Memorandum of Association."

I have, &c, Governor, Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &o. DERBY.

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No. 37. (New Zealand, No. 7.) g IK , 5 Downing Street, 2nd February, 1885. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the War Office, with its enclosure, respecting a claim to land or an equivalent in money made by John Rahilly, for alleged service in New Zealand in 1849. I have to request that you will return an answer to the applicant after communication with your Government. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

Answer, A.-l, No. 43.

Enclosure. Sic, — Financial Secretary's Department, War Office, 29th January, 1885. I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to forward to you the enclosed claim from John Eahilly, who states that he enlisted into the 58th Eegiment in 1836, and claims a recompense of fifty acres of land or an equivalent in money, apparently for alleged service in New Zealand in 1849, and to request that you will be good enough to move the Secretary of State for the Colonies to deal with the application. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. H. T. De la Bebe.

Sub-Enclosure. Sm,' — Campbell's Crescent, Eedan, Ballarat, Victoria, 10th December, 1884. I enlisted in the 58th Eegiment on the 14th June, 1836, and served in New Zealand until 1849. At the time that I was in the service, and on the agreement with the Colonial Government, it was stipulated that each man would receive a recompense of fifty acres of land or an equivalent in money. I trust that you will see that I am entitled, and through you to the Government of New Zealand, for recompense for my services. I have, &c, John Eahillt, Late private in the 58th Eegiment, Eegimental No. 869. The Secretary at War, War Office, London.

No. 38. (New Zealand, No. 9.) Sir, — Downing Street, 17th February, 1885. With reference to recent correspondence respecting Samoan affairs, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of a despatch which I have addressed to the Acting High Commissioner for the Western Pacific on the subject. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

Answer, A.-l. No. 51.

Enclosure. Sic, — Downing Street, Feburary, 1885. I have received communications respecting certain recent proceedings of the German Consul in Samoa, and the alleged wish of the king that Samoa should be annexed to the British Empire. Her Majesty's Government are in communication with the German Government with a view to maintaining their agreement that both countries shall respect the independence of this group of islands; and I have therefore to direct you to cause the Samoan Government to be informed that any movement in favour of British annexation is disapproved of by Her Majesty's Government. I have, &o.j Debby, P.S.—A similar instruction has been sent by telegraph to the Acting British Consul at Samoa. Sir G. W. des Vceux, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 39. (New Zealand, No. 11.) Sir,— Downing Street, 11th March, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 6, of the sth of January last, reporting the resignation by Mr. W. 11. Reynolds, M.L.0., of his seat in the Executive Council, and the appointment in his stead of Mr. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G., member of the House of Representatives for the Peninsula, Otago. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

A.-l, No. 20.

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No. 40. (New Zealand, No. 12.) Sir, — Downing Street, 19th March, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch Xo. 1, of the 3rd of January, transmitting extracts from the " New Zealand Parliamentary Debates," containg the debates in the Legislative Council and House of Eepresentatives of New Zealand respecting federation and annexation. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DEEBY.

A.-l, No. 15.

No. 41. (New Zealand, No. 13.) Sir,— Downing Street, 19th March, 1885. I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acquaint you that an application has been received from the United States Minister at this Court on the subject of the appointment of Mr. J. E. Ward as Consular Agent of the United States at Christchurch. As this gentleman appears to be resident in the colony under your Government, I am to request you to report whether you are aware or not of any objection to this appointment; and, if not, you will recognize him in that capacity. I have, &c, EGBERT G. W. HEEBEET. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 42. (New Zealand, No. 14.) Sir, — Downing Street, Ist April, 1885. I referred to the Secretary of State for War a copy of your Despatch No. 13, of the 17th of January last, with the petition from James Tyler, which accompanied it, praying for the grant of an annuity from the Patriotic Eund, and I have the honour to transmit to you herewith, a copy of a letter, with an enclosure, which has been received from the "War Office in reply. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., 0.8., &c. DEEBY.

A.-l, No. 23.

Enclosure. Financial Secretary's Department, War Office, Sib,— 27th March 1885. With reference to War Office letter of the 21st instant, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Secretary to the Patriotic Fund Commissioners, relative to the application for an annuity from the Patriotic Fund on behalf of James Tyler, late Sergeant, 4th Hussars. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. H. T. Db la Bebb.

Suh-Enclosure. Royal Commission of the Patriotic Fund, 53, Charing Cross, S.W., Sib,— 23rd March, 1885 I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant, transmitting a letter from the Secretary of State for the Colonies (with its enclosures), on behalf of a pensioner, James Tyler, formerly of the 4th Hussars, and I regret to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for War, that it is impossible to render any assistance to James Tyler from the Patriotic Fund, which is, and always has been, restricted to widows and orphans. The enclosures of your letter are herewith returned. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State for War. Wm. .H. Muohfokd, Secretary.

No. 43. (New Zealand, No. 17.) Sir, — Downing Street, 13th April, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 31,

A.-l, No. 29.

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of the 24th of February last, reporting your intended visit to Sydney and Melbourne in order to consult with Major-General Scratchley on matters relating to the defences of Victoria, and stating that you had appointed Sir James Prendergast to act as Deputy-Governor during your absence. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.0.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

No. 44 : (New Zealand, No. 20.) Sir, — Downing Street, 15th April, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 86, of the Bth of November last, transmitting copies of the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Representatives of New Zealand, appointed to consider and report on the best route for the North Island Trunk Railway, with extracts from the Parliamentary debates containing the discussion on the presentation of the report. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. P. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBI.

A.-l, No. 7,

Authority r Geobob Didbbubt, Government Printer, Wellington. —1886.

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