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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1897 Session II, A-01

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Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

INDEX.

No. 1. (No. 17.) SlE , — Government House, Auckland, 15th May, 1896. With reference to your despatch of the 3rd December, 1895, requesting that you might be informed of the name of the delegate by whom New Zealand proposes to be represented at the meeting of the International Telegraph Conference to be held at Buda-Pesth, and also with reference to my despatch of the 16th March in reply, informing you that my Ministers do not propose that this colony shall be represented at the above-mentioned conference, I have the honour to inform you that I have now been informed by my Premier that, on farther consideration, while my Ministers do not propose to send a representative to the conference, they would ask that the representative of the United Kingdom may be requested to represent New Zealand, as otherwise the vote of this colony might be lost, and in the manner proposed can be used in case of any emergency for the benefit of the United Kingdom and the colonies. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies. I—A. 1.

No. of Series. Date. Subjeot. Page, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 15 May, 1896 .. 26 May, 7 July, „ .. 8 July, 26 Sept., „ 28 Sept., , .. 12 Nov., „ .. 20 Nov 21 Nov., „ .. 25 Nov., , .. 21 Dec, 21 Dec, 26 Dec, 20 Jan., 1897 .. 5 Feb., „ .. 5 Feb., „ .. 18 Feb., , 18 Mar., , .. 18 Mar., „ .. j 18 Mar., „ 25 April, „ ..' 15 April, „ 13 May, , International Telegraph Convention, Buda-Pesth Administration of Norfolk Island Distinction for saving human life Eesignation of Hon. J. G. Ward as Colonial Treasurer.' .' Colonial laws affecting British shipping .. .. [[ Notification of changes of masters of vessels to Lloyd's'' International Convention for publication of Customs tariffs '.'. Medals for permanent local forces " Coinage Act, 1870 " ...... Tuberculosis, Laws, &c, relating to .. Synopsis of Acts, 1896 ...... Asiatic Eestriction Act reserved Paris Exhibition, 1900 : space required .'. .. \\ Mutual trade, Great Britain and colonies Appointment of three members, Legislative Council .. .', Departure of Lord Glasgow Assumption of office by Sir James Prendergast Charge of property of Germans dying intestate Title of " Honourable " to Legislative Councillors retiring after ten years' service' Employers liability .. .. ,. J Synopsis of Acts, 1897, Sess. I. "Coinage Act, 1870" ...... Address of General Assembly to Her Majesty on completion of sixtieth year of her reign ' 1 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13

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No. _. (No. 19.) Sir, — Government House, Auckland, 26th May, 1896. I yesterday had the honour of receiving your telegram inquiring when you might expect to hear from me relative to the protest made on the advice of my Government, by cable, as to the proposed administration of Norfolk Island by New South Wales. My Government having delayed to follow up their advice by any further communication, pending developments regarding the proposed new Pacific cable, I telegraphed to inform them of the receipt of your cable message, and I now have the honour to give you the purport of their reply. In amplification of and addition to their previous representations, my Government raise the following objections to the control of Norfolk Island by New South Wales. In the event of a new Pacific cable being laid on British territory alone, in all probability Norfolk Island would be selected as the station from which a branch cable would be laid to New Zealand. Under such circumstances, and without desiring in any way to adopt an unfriendly attitude towards a neighbouring colony, with whom New Zealand has always been on the most friendly terms, my Government have the strongest objection to the junction of the New Zealand branch with the main cable being on territory controlled by any other colony, even if that colony be New South Wales. I am further advised to bring to your notice the agreement which was originally made with the islanders—that, while their island was and would remain an integral part of the Empire, they should enjoy local self-government without interference; also that, as far as my Advisers have been able to ascertain, there has not been sufficient ground for the contemplated abrogation of the rights and privileges of the islanders. Should, however, the Imperial authorities decide that the time has arrived for placing Norfolk Island under more direct control, it is the opinion of my Government that the claims of this colony to administer Norfolk Island are superior to those of New South Wales. It is true that New South Wales has exercised a sort of suzerainty or superiority over Norfolk Island, but that arose from the fact that New South Wales was the centre and head-quarters of British authority in Australasia in the days when Norfolk Island was first settled; but it does not give that colony any claim to continue the present shadowy control, and to convert it into a more effective one, if a better arrangement in the interests of the island can be effected. If any change has to be made it appears to my Government that other circumstances have to be taken into consideration. Norfolk Island is three hundred miles nearer New Zealand than New South Wales ; it is part of the diocese of Melanesia, which is, ecclesiastically speaking, a part of the Province of New Zealand. Thus there is a considerable amount of sympathy and community of feeling between Norfolk Island and this colony, which subscribes liberally to the cost of the Melanesian Mission, and for this and other reasons I am informed that the Bishop of Melanesia, as well as the other bishops in New Zealand, demur to the island passing under the Government of New South Wales. Finally, I am advised that, as far as my Ministers can ascertain, if any change is to take place in the government of Norfolk Island, the islanders, while protesting against any change, would prefer to come under the control of New Zealand rather than that of New South Wales. Should the claim of New Zealand be given effect to, the proper arrangements for the administration of the island, similar to those in the Cook Islands, would at once be made. My Government therefore beg to suggest that, pending the settlement of the question of laying a new Pacific cable, at any rate, no change should be made in respect to the control of Norfolk Island. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 3. (No. 23.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 7th July, 1896. I have the honour to draw your attention to your despatch of the 6th July, 1895, with regard to the granting of decorative distinctions for saving life in the colony, and, by advice of my Ministers, to respectfully request you to reconsider your decision thereon. What my Government desires is to be placed in the same position as the Eoyal Humane Society, and to deal just as that society does with the applications which may come before it. The colony is at present contributing ,£lOO a year towards the Eoyal Humane Society of Australasia ; it has no control whatever over the expenditure, and the granting of the rewards is not working satisfactorily. For these reasons my Government hope that you will be pleased to reconsider your former decision. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1896, No. 17.

No. 4. (No. 27.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, Bth July, 1896. I have the honour to inform you that on the 16th ultimo the Premier waited on me and tendered me the resignation of the Hon. J. G. Ward, Colonial Treasurer, on account of the strictures which had been passed on him in the judgment given by Mr. Justice Williams with regard to his indebtedness to the late Colonial Bank and other matters in connection therewith. Under the circumstances, I felt that I had no alternative but to accept Mr. Ward's resignation. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 5. (No. 38.) Sm, — Government House, Wellington, 26th September, 1896. In reply to your circular despatch dated the 23rd June, 1896, covering copy of a communication from the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom relative to colonial laws affecting British shipping, and inviting Ministers to consider the expediency of preserving uniformity as far as possible in legislation affecting merchant shipping throughout the Empire, I have the honour to inform you that my Ministers are not unmindful of the desirability of so doing, but are of opinion that this consideration must in some cases give place to measures which are deemed to be necessary for the safety of ships and passengers. With reference to the manning scale, to which exception is taken by the Chamber of Shipping, my Government are satisfied that it has not the effect of overmanning vessels; and the fact should be noted that it is not applicable to vessels trading between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, but only to those trading on the coast and between New Zealand and the Australian Colonies and between New Zealand and the South Sea Islands. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1897, No. 9.

No. 6. (No. 37.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 28th September, 1896. In reply to your despatch (New Zealand, General) dated the 17th June, 1896, covering a letter from the Board of Trade regarding the notifying of

A.-2, 1897, No. 7.

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changes of masters of foreign-going ships to Lloyd's agent, I have the honour to inform you that the Collector at Auckland has been instructed to do this on payment of a fee of Is. in each case for so doing. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 7. (No. 40.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 12th November, 1896. In reply to your circular despatch dated the 21st August, 1896, relating to the International Convention for the Publication of Customs Tariffs, I have the honour to inform you that my Government have no wish to withdraw from the Convention. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1897, No. 15.

No. 8. (No. 41.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 20th November, 1896. I have the honour to forward, with reference to your general despatches dated the 21st July and the 3rd September, 1896, a copy of the proposed regulations regarding medals, as amended by my Ministers in accordance with your instructions; and, further, to inform you that my Government desire that the colonial colour for New Zealand for the line down the centre of the medal-riband should be dark-blue. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1897, Nos. 11, 17.

No. 9. (No. 43.) S:e, — Government House, Wellington, 21st November, 1896. I have the honour to inform you, in reply to your general despatch of the 18th August, 1896, regarding " The Coinage Act, 1870," that the Proclamation and Order in Council have been published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 12th instant, a copy of which is attached, and other copies are forwarded in the usual course by this mail. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

:'V. A.-2, 1897, No. 13.

No. 10. (No. 45.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 25th November, 1896. I have the honour to forward herewith, in accordance with the request made in your circular despatch dated the 11th August, 1896, copies of the Acts referring to tuberculosis enforced in this colony by my Government. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1897, No. 12.

No. 11.

(No. 46.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 21st December, 1896. I have the honour to forward herewith a synopsis of the Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand in the session of Parliament held in the year 1896, with copies of the said Acts. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW, Secretary of State for the Colonies,

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Enclosures. Memorandum for His Excellency the Govebnob. Premier's Office, Wellington, Ist December, 1896. The Premier has the honour to forward, for transmission to the Eight Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a synopsis, prepared by the Law Officers, of the Acts passed at the third session of the Twelfth Parliament of New Zealand. B. J. Seddon.

Synopsis of the Acts passed by the Genebal Assembly of New Zealand in the Session of Parliament held in the Year 1896. Public General Acts. No. 1. The Imprest Supply Act.—This Act authorises advances of, in all, £341,000 out of the Public Account and the other accounts mentioned therein for the service of the year ending the 31st March, 1897, the moneys to be charged in manner expressed in the Appropriation Acts passed in the session. No. 2. The Eepresentation Act Amendment Act.—This Act provides for two permanent Commissioners, one for the North Island and one for the Middle Island (including Stewart Island), to be appointed by the Governor, in lieu of the Commission appointed under the Act of 1887, for the purpose of periodically dividing the colony into electoral districts. No. 3. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 2). —This Act authorises further advances of, in all, £329,500 out of the Public Account and the other accounts mentioned therein, for the same purpose and to be charged in the same manner as in the case of the former Imprest Supply Act. No. 4. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 3). —This Act authorises further advances of, in all, £237,000 out of the same accounts, for the same purpose, and to be charged in the same manner as in the case of the last previous Imprest Supply Act. No. 5. Eating on Unimproved Value.—This Act provides for the exemption of improvements from rating in every district the ratepayers whereof have by vote adopted the Act. Special provision is made to prevent the security of loans secured on rates being prejudicially affected. No. 6. The Gold Duties Act Amendment Act.—This Act amends the previous Act by requiring every person who makes the prescribed declaration of the quantity of gold purchased by him to send a copy thereof to the Clerk of the Council of each county or borough named therein. No. 7. Criminal Code Act Amendment Act. —This Act raises the age of consent from fifteen years to sixteen, and amends in other respects the existing law as to offences against females, and otherwise. No. 8. Eailways Compensation Adjustment Act.—This Act provides for the payment of compensation for certain land taken for railway purposes. No. 9. Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Act.—This Act provides that ratepayers on the defaulters' list for arrears of rates may vote by paying the arrears and costs at any time before the poll is taken. No. 10. Imprest Supply Act (No. 4). —This Act authorises further advances of, in all, £236,000 out of the same accounts, for the same purpose, and to be charged in the same manner as in the case of the last-preceding Imprest Supply Act. No. 11. Female Law Practitioners Act.—This Act opens the profession of the law to women. No. 12. Public Morgues Act.—This Act requires the local authority of every city or borough containing not less than one thousand inhabitants to provide a suitable building for the purposes of a public morgue. No. 13. Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act. —This Act authorises the raising of, in all, one million pounds for the various public purposes specified therein. No. 14. Imprest Supply Act (No. 5). —This Act authorises further advances of, in all, £300,000 out of the accounts and funds mentioned therein, for the same purpose and to be charged in the same manner as in the case of the last-preceding Imprest Supply Act. No. 15. Married Persons Summary Separation Act.-—This Act gives a Stipendiary Magistrate jurisdiction to grant an order operating in the same manner as a decree of judicial separation. Application for the order may be made by either husband or wife on the grounds of conviction for assault and fine of five pounds or upwards therefor, or imprisonment for more than two months, or of desertion or persistent cruelty, or neglect to maintain. No. 16. Photographic Copyright Act.—This Act extends the protection of copyright law to certain photographs without registration. The period of protection is five years from the date of the first taking of the photograph. No. 17. Public Eevenues Acts Amendment Act. —This Act makes various technical amendments of the existing law, and extends the time for the making-up of the quarterly and yearly abstracts of the Public Account. It also makes further provision for the recovery of moneys illegally expended or applied by local authorities, and for the audit of certain local bodies' accounts. No. 18. Abattoirs and Slaughterhouses Amendment Act.—This Act amends the existing law by making it a sufficient defence to proceedings for permitting drainage to flow from any slaughterhouse or abattoir into any stream running through the Borough of Green Island that the stream is not thereby polluted. It also permits bond fide farmers to slaughter cattle in certain quantities and under certain conditions. No. 19. Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Act.—This Act raises the poll-tax from £10 to £100, and the ship's tonnage per single Chinese from 100 to 200 tons. The Asiatic Eestriction Act of this session contains similar provisions as regards Asiatics; but this measure having been reserved for the Eoyal assent, the Act relating to Chinese was deemed necessary.

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No. 20. Ngatitoa Trust Act.—This Act authorises the Public Trustee to pay the corpus of the therein-mentioned fund to the respective Native beneficiaries at present entitled to the income thereof. No. 21.. Poverty Bay Land and Deeds Eegistration District Act.—This Act constitutes a new land and deeds registration district, and defines its boundaries. No. 22. Law Practitioners and New Zealand Law Societies Acts Amendment Act.—This Act opens the legal profession to women, and amends the constitution of the council of the New Zealand Law Society. No. 23. Infant Life Protection Act.—This Act repeals the existing Act, passed in 1893, and re-enacts it with amendments for the purpote of making better provision for the protection of the lives of young children, and the checking of baby-farming. The keeper of an infants' home is required to keep a book containing full and accurate records relating to each child. No child may be removed from an infants' home without the warrant of the Inspector of Police. In case of death, notice must be given to the police within twelve hours thereafter, and the body may not be buried without the authority of the Coroner. The provisions relating to inspection are amplified, and the power of cancellation of licenses for infants' homes is increased. No. 24. Trade-union Act Amendment Act.—This Act reduces the minimum age of membership of a trade-union from sixteen to fourteen years. No. 25. Government Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Act.—This Act provides for the granting of fixed loans for any term not exceeding ten years, without sinking fund, but with the right to pay off the whole or any part (not less than £5 or a multiple of £5) at any time during the term. It also increases the maximum amount of a loan from £2,500 to £3,000, and increases the classes of landed security upon which advances may be made. No. 26. Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Act (No. 2).—This Act amends the principal Act as to the power of the Council to stop, widen, and divert streets. No. 27. Urewera District Native Eeserve Act.—This Act constitutes the Urewera district a Native reserve, and provides for the local government thereof by the Native owners. The Governor is to appoint Commissioners to divide the district into blocks (adopting hapu boundaries) and to investigate the Native ownership of each block and the relative share of each family. The owners of each block elect a local committee to deal with the internal affairs of the block, and each local committee elects one of its members to form a general committee. The general committee deals with the reserve as a whole, and with each portion of it in relation to other persons than the Native owners of such portion. The Act further provides that the Governor may lay out roads and landing-places, and take land (within limited areas) for accommodation-houses and camping-grounds. No. 28. Harbours Act Amendment Act.—This Act amends the constitution of the Napier Harbour Board by increasing the number of members from twelve to thirteen. No. 29. Sea-fisheries Act Amendment Act.—This Act extends to edible shell-fish, and also to sponges and sponge-beds, such of the provisions of the principal Act relating to oysters as the Governor specfies in that behalf. No. 30. Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Act.—This Act brings watersupply districts under the provisions of the principal Act, and fixes a limit of £3,000 as the .maximum loan to any such district in any one year. It also amends the principal Act by requiring a special rating district to be a continuous area, forbidding the grant of loans unless the Native or Crown lands rated for the loan are less than two-thirds of the total rateable property, and unless the number of ratepayers exceeds one. Provision is made for the repayment of the whole or any part of a loan at any time during its currency. Additional remedies are given in case of default in payment of interest. Special provisions are made for loans for construction of bridges, and the principal Act is otherwise amended in various technical points. No. 31. Factories Act Amendment Act.—This Act checks sweating by providing that where textile goods are made for a factory by any one outside a factory the work shall not be sublet; also that a factory employe shall not work outside the factory. It also checks the risk of disease by making it unlawful to work up goods or material in any place where any one suffering from any infectious or contagious disease resides. No. 32. Inspection of Machinery Act Amendment Act.—This Act widens the scope of the principal Act by bringing under it machinery worked by water or electricity. It also makes further provision respecting certificates, and otherwise amends and extends the existing law. No. 33. Shops and Shop-assistants Act Amendment Act.—This Act extends the definition of " shop-assistants," and brings hawkers and pedlars under the principal Act, which is also amended in several other technical points. No. 34. Mining Companies Act Amendment Act.—This Act brings all mining companies under the operation of the Companies Branch Eegisters Act. It also provides that for the purpose of the incorporation of companies under the principal Act paid-up shares are to be deemed to be shares subscribed for. It also extends the provisions of the Act of 1895 relating to the sale of a mining company, and provides that payment may be made in paid-up shares in the purchasing company. No. 35. Chattels Transfer Act Amendment Act. —This Act exempts mercantile securities from the operation of the defeasance clause of the principal Act, and amends the law relating to the execution and registration of instruments. No. 36. Land for Settlements Act Amendment Act. —This Act makes fuller provision as to the disposal of lands acquired under the principal Act; requires the lessee to purchase the buildings by instalments; empowers the Minister to carry on such operations on land as he thinks necessary in order to prepare it for settlement; restricts the power of the lessee to sell or encumber his lease ; provides for small advances to lessees of workmen's homes in aid of building, fencing, and planting; authorises the establishment of experimental farms ; and otherwise amends and extends the principal Act.

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No. 37. Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Act. —This Act gives engineers the status of officers; requires that, in case of any investigation relating to a steamship casualty, one of the assessors shall be an engineer if the investigation affects the engine department or any person employed therein ; prescribes the qualifications for engineers' certificates, and the number of engineers to be carried in intercolonial and home-trade steamships; requires all intercolonial and home-trade steamships registered more than six months after the coming into operation of the Act to provide adequate ventilation for engineers' rooms; provides that seamen employed in the colony shall be paid current wages, and that their engagement may be determined by twenty-four hours' notice after arrival at final port of discharge in the colony consequent on completion of round voyage, and that seamen discharged in the colony before completing full term of engagement shall be paid full amount of wages due up to date of discharge; requires accidents to sailing-ships to be reported ; prescribes fees for surveying load-line, and for license as to deck cargo ; directs that where seaman in prison when ship leaves colony he may be put aboard at cost of ship ; and makes further provision for the carrying of boys and apprentices. No. 38. Tauranga Educational Endowment Eeserves Act.—This Act disposes of certain lands as educational reserves. No. 39. Eiver Boards Act Amendment Act. —This Act provides that cheques shall be signed by the treasurer and countersigned by any member of the Board. No. 40. Eating Act Amendment Act.—This Act simplifies the procedure for recovering rates on Native lands where the number of Native owners or occupiers exceeds four, and provides for the leasing of such lands, in lieu of the sale thereof, in satisfaction of rates in arrear. It also exempts machinery from rates, and otherwise amends the principal Act. No. 41. Native Eeserves Act Amendment Act.—This Act vests certain reserves in the Public Trustee, and directs how the rents and proceeds are to be applied for the benefit of the Natives entitled. It also makes provision respecting a burial-ground for the Ngatitoa Natives, and amends in various respects the principal Act. No. 42. Government Eailways Classification Act.—This Act classifies all persons employed in the Government Eailways Department, fixes their minimum and maximum rates of pay, and establishes a Board of Appeal. No. 43. Public Bodies' Powers Act Amendment Act.—This Act extends the definition of " leasing authority " to include the trustees of any property held for charitable, educational, or scientific trust purposes. No. 44. Government Valuation of Land Act.—This Act provides for the periodical valuation of all landed properties in the colony by valuers appointed by the Governor, and directs that the valuations so obtained shall be used for the lending and other purposes of the various public offices and departments mentioned or that may be brought under the Act, and for the rating purposes of all local authorities. No. 45. Orchard and Garden Pests Act.—This Act makes provision for the prevention and eradication of phylloxera and other diseases affecting gardens and orchards. No. 46. Canterbury College and Canterbury Agricultural College Act.—This Act separates Canterbury College proper from the college heretofore known as the Lincoln Agricultural College, and establishes the constitution of their respective governing bodies on a popular basis by widening the franchise and limiting the tenure of office. No. 47. Electrical Motive-power Act. —This Act makes it unlawful for any local authority to grant concessions for the purpose of generating or using electricity as a motive-power without the previous consent of the Governor in Council. It also empowers the Governor in Council to cause inquiries to be made in order to ascertain the feasibility of utilising the waterways of the colony for the purpose of supplying electrical motive-power for use on the goldfields. No. 48. Fencing Act Amendment Act.—This Act prescribes a sufficient non-rabbit-proof fence within the County of Westland, and modifies the law of impounding on unfenced land within that county. No. 49. Electoral Act Amendment Act. —This Act abolishes the non-residential qualification of electors, save as to persons at present on the roll by virtue of that qualification. It also gives to seamen further facilities for obtaining electoral rights, and makes various technical amendments of the principal Act. No. 50. Naval and Military Claims Settlement and Extinguishment Act.—This Act provides for the appointment of a special Commissioner to investigate and report on all existing claims, with a view to their equitable settlement on the merits, and irrespective of technicalities. No. 51. Mining Act Amendment Act. —This Act makes special provision for prospecting on and resumption of lands alienated from the Crown prior to 1873, or (if Native lands) alienated from the Native owners to any person other than the Crown prior to 1888, and situate within any nowexisting mining district. The consent of the owner is not necessary save as to land under cultivation, or forming the site of buildings, &c, or being prospected or mined by the owner. Compensation for damage is payable in the case of prospecting, and for the value of the land in the case of resumption, and, in addition thereto, he has a prior right to mark out a claim. The right is reserved to any person to assert by suit his title to the Eoyal metals, and if he succeeds he receives compensation for them if the land is resumed. The Act also provides for the surrender of certain classes of Native leases, the appointment of provisional mine-managers without certificates of competency, the protection of mines at the Thames Goldfield from flooding, the prevention of injury to the surface of land in every case where a mining license is granted, and various other amendments of the existing law. No. 52. Public Eeserves Vesting and Sale Amendment Act.—This Act empowers an alleged owner of a section of land in Dunedin to assert his title by suit, and directs that, if he succeeds, the Corporation of Dunedin (in which the section was vested by statute) shall execute a transfer thereof in his favour.

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No. 53. Native Land Laws Amendment Act. —This Act provides for the appointment of a SubCommissioner of the Native Land Court and the Native Appellate Court, and defines his powers. It enlarges the powers of these Conrts as to confirmation of leases, payment of moneys due to minors, and otherwise. It also appoints the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court to be Chief Judge of the Validation Court, and empowers assessors, clerks, and interpreters of the former Court to act in the latter. The Act amends in various ways " The Native Land Court Act, 1894," and " The Native Land Laws Amendment Act, 1895," chiefly in the direction of enlarging the jurisdiction of the Court. No. 54. Eegistration of People's Claims.—This Act provides for the investigation and registration of claims to old-age pensions (if hereafter established) by persons possessing the prescribed qualifications of age, residence, &c, the purpose being to ascertain the probable cost of establishing an old-age pension fund. No. 55. Alcoholic Liquors Inspection Act.—This Act enlarges and defines the powers of special Inspectors appointed to prevent the sale of adulterated liquor. No. 56. Eeserves and Crown Lands Disposal and Enabling Act.—This Act deals with various reserves by changing the purposes thereof. It also authorises certain reserves to be disposed of as Crown lands, and certain Crown lands to be set aside as reserves for specified purposes. No. 57. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act.—This Act amends the principal Act on several technical points— e.g., by preventing a member of one Board of Conciliation from being elected to another, providing for the joinder of parties to an industrial dispute, giving further facilities for the registration of companies as industrial unions, and providing for fees payable to the chairman and members of the Board. No. 58. Tobacco Act Amendment Act.—This Act amends the law as to the manufacture of tobacco, enlarges the powers of the Commissioner, and reduces the license-fee and bond in respect of a tobacco manufactory. It also provides for warrants authorising the use of a cutting-machine and the making of cigarettes by hand. It also enlarges the powers of inspection, and makes several technical amendments of the existing law. No. 59. Tobacco Excise Duties Act. —This Act imposes excise duties on tobacco, cigars, snuff, and machinery-manufactured cigarettes, but exempts cigarettes made by hand from duty-paid tobacco outside a bonded tobacco factory. No. 60. Land-tax and Income-tax Act.—This Act imposes the same land-tax and income-tax for the year commencing Ist April, 1896, as were imposed last year. No. 61. Public Eevenues Act Amendment Act (No. 2). —This Act removes certain technical difficulties in the existing Acts by providing for the delivery up of securities for the purpose of exchange for other securities. No. 62. Public Works Appropriation Act.—This Act appropriates in all £1,145,716 out of the various funds and accounts therein mentioned for the construction of public works and other purposes for the year ending 31st March, 1897. No. 63. Appropriation Act.—This Act appropriates the supplies granted during this session of Parliament, and makes a further grant and appropriation of £1,102,888 out of the Consolidated Fund, making the total sum granted out of the Consolidated Fund for the year £2,438,696. Act reserved for the Signification of Her Majesty's Pleasure. No. 64. Asiatic Eestriction Act.—This Act repeals all former Acts restricting the immigration of Chinese, and applies the provisions of those Acts to all Asiatics other than persons of European or Jewish extraction or British subjects natives of the Indian Empire. The poll-tax is £100, and no ship may bring more than one Asiatic for every 200 tons of the ship's tonnage. This Act is reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon, on the grounds set forth in a separate memorandum herewith. Local and Personal Acts. No. 1. Caversham Waterworks Account Act.—This Act empowers the Council of the Borough of Caversham to place to the credit of the General Account the surplus at credit of the Waterworks Account on the 31st March, 1896. No. 2. Dunedin City Borrowing Act.—This Act empowers the Corporation of the City of Dunedin to borrow £50,000 for the purposes of the city as mentioned therein, on the security of a special rate, the maximum currency of the debentures to be twelve years, and the maximum rate of interest 5 per cent, per annum. No. 3. Picton Eecreation Eeserve Act.—This Act vests certain land in the Picton Borough Council as a recreation reserve. No. 4. Westport Harbour Board Loan Act.—This Act authorises the Westport Harbour Board to borrow on the security of its endowments a sum of £50,000 for harbour-works, in addition to the moneys authorised to be borrowed under " The Westport Harbour Act, 1884." No. 5. Lyttelton Harbour Board Enlargement Act.—This Act increases by one the number of members constituting the Harbour Board, and directs that he shall be elected by the ratepayers of the Boroughs of Linwood, Woolston, and Sumner. No. 6. Mount Wellington Public Domain Board and Thomas Morrin Exchange of Land Act. —This Act authorises an exchange of land between Thomas Morrin and the Mount Wellington Domain Board. No. 7. Dunedin Garrison Hall Trustees Empowering Act Amendment Act. — This Act empowers the Trustees of the Dunedin Garrison Hall to raise money not exceeding £6,500 from any lending department of the Government on debentures bearing not more than 5 per cent, interest per annum. It also authorises the Minister of Defence to guarantee such loans on the conditions therein mentioned. •

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No. 8. Gisborne Harbour Board Empowering Act.—This Act authorises the Public Trustee to pay to the Board £15,000 out of the unexpended balance of the Board's loan now vested in him under "The Gisborne Harbour Act, 1884," and directs how the money is to be applied by the Board. No. 9. Lake Forsyth Lands Vesting Act.—This Act vests certain lands in the Corporation of the County of Akaroa, and authorises the Governor to grant certain other lands to the Council of that county. No. 10. Greytown Trustees Empowering Act.—This Act empowers the Greytown Trustees to transfer certain lands to the Education Board of the District of Wellington. No. 11. Waimakariri Harbour Board Land Act.—This Act vests certain land in the Waimakariri Harbour Board, and empowers the Kaiapoi Borough Council to extend certain streets in the borough to the water's edge. No. 12. Bishop Suter Art Gallery Trustees.—This Act vests certain lands in certain persons as trustees to be held by them as a site for an art gallery for the people of the City of Nelson. No. 13. Borough of Masterton Water-supply and Drainage-works Loan Empowering Act.— This Act empowers the Council of the Borough of Masterton to raise a special loan not exceeding £30,000 for the construction of water-works and drainage-works within a portion of the borough, subject to the consent of the ratepayers within that portion, and on the security of a special rate on the rateable property within that portion. No. 14. Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools Board Empowering Act.—This Act empowers the Board to borrow money not exceeding £3,500 on debentures or mortgage charged on the rents and profits of its lands, the maximum rate of interest to be 5 per cent, per annum, with an annual sinking fund of 10s. per centum, and the term of the loan not to exceed twenty years. No. 15. St. Albans Borough Council Special Loan Empowering Act.—This Act empowers the Council of the Borough of St. Albans to' borrow money not exceeding £30,000 for works within the borough. No. 16. Mataura Eeserve Vesting Act. —This Act vests a certain piece of land in the Corporation of the Borough of Mataura for a municipal reserve. No- 17- Oamaru Harbour Board Leasing Act. —This Act validates certain leases granted by the Board, subject nevertheless to the conditions mentioned in the Act. The Act is to come into operation on a day to be named by the Governor, being not sooner than the Ist March, 1897, and he may decline to bring it into operation if at any time before the Ist March, 1897, it is objected to by debenture-holders representing not less than one-third in value of all the debentures issued by the Board. No person is to have any claim against the colony by reason of anything contained in the Act. No. 18. Horowhenua Block Act. —This Act gives effect to the recommendation of the Commission appointed to inquire into the matter. The Act cancels certain certificates of title and all entries therein, subject to reinstatement if so ordered by judgment in proceedings which the Public Trustee is directed to institute for the purpose of testing the validity of certain transactions. All dealings with the land is prohibited pending the result of such proceedings. The residue of the block is disposed of in accordance with the report of the Commission, and the relative shares of the owners are to be determined under "The Native Equitable Owners Act, 1886," which is re-enacted for that purpose alone. Private Act. No. 1. The Wesleyan Methodist Church Property Trust Act Further Amendment Act.—This Act vests in the Wesleyan Methodist Church in New Zealand the lands belonging to or held in trust for the United Methodist Free Church and the Bible Christian Church, pursuant to an agreement for the union of the three churches. It also empowers the New Zealand Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church to appoint ministers for five years, alter (within prescribed limits) the Model Deed of the church, and make regulations for the appointment of ministers and election of officers. The Act also makes provision for the union of other churches with the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

" The Asiatic Restriction Act, 1896." The long title of this Bill is " An Act to prevent the Influx into New Zealand of Persons of Alien Eace who are likely to be hurtful to the Public Welfare." Its operation is confined to " Asiatics " —this term being defined to mean any native of any part of Asia, or of the islands adjacent to Asia or in Asiatic seas, and the descendants of such natives; but it does not include (1) persons of European or Jewish extraction, nor (2) British subjects being natives of that portion of Her Majesty's dominions known as the Indian Empire. Its provisions are based very largely on those already in force in the colony in " The Chinese Immigrants Act, 1881," which, with its amendments, is repealed by the new measure. But the poll-tax to be paid on the landing of any Asiatic in New Zealand has been increased from £10 to £100. Other disabilities are created, such as those set forth in section 17 and those in section 18, prohibiting in future the naturalisation of any Asiatic being a Chinese. Looking, therefore, at the nature of this measure, it was deemed one of such importance as rendered it desirable His Excellency the Governor should be advised, under subclause 7 of clause VI. of the Eoyal instructions of the 26th March, 1892, and in terms of section 56 of the New Zealand Constitution Act (15 and 16 Vict., cap. 72), to reserve it for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon. W. S. Eeid, Solicitor-General. Crown Law Offices, 2nd November, 1896. 2—A. 1.

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No. 12. (No. 47.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 21st December, 1896. In accordance with paragraph 179 of the Colonial Office rules and regulations, I have the honour to forward herewith a copy of an Act entitled shortly "the Asiatic Eestriction Act," which has passed both Houses of the Legislature, and which I have to inform you I have reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon. In the synopsis of the Acts which have been passed this session, which accompanied Despatch No. 46 of even date, will be found the reasons given by my Solicitor-General for considering it necessary that this Bill should be reserved. To these, I think, may be added the fact that the number of Asiatics is not increasing in this colony, and that this Government is not in possession of any information as to the likelihood of any influx of Japanese, Chinese, or other Asiatic labourers or artificers into New Zealand. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 13. Telegeam to Secretary op State in Eeply to Circular Despatch of the 7th September, 1896. 26th December, 1896. Paris Exhibition, 1900. This Government desires to be represented, and will require 100,000 ft. space.

1897, i.

No. 14. (No. 2.) Sir, — Government House, Christchurch, 20th January, 1897. With reference to your despatch No. 103, dated the 28th November, 1895, I have the honour to enclose herewith, at the request of my Government, four copies of return compiled on the trade of this colony with the United Kingdom. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

1896, ).

No. 15. (No. 7.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, sth February, 1897. I have the honour to inform you that on the 3rd instant I called to the Council the three gentlemen whose names are as follows : Mr. D. Pinkerton, Mr. W. Kelly, Mr. B. Harris. With reference to the reasons given by the Premier for advising these appointments, I addressed to him a memorandum, of which I enclose a copy. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Memoeandum for the Pbemieb. Government House, Wellington, 30th January, 1897. 1. The Governor has to acknowledge the Premier's memorandum of the 23rd instant, advising the appointment of three additional members to the Legislative Council, and, while prepared to accept the advice now tendered to him, he considers that in justice to himself he should indicate which of the reasons advanced by the Premier for advising these appointments appear to him to make it his duty to do so.

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2. In the memorandum under consideration the Premier repeats some of the reasons which he advanced on the last occasion, when he advised four appointments to the Council, or at least reasons similar, if not in the same words. With regard to these, the Governor adheres to the views he then expressed; but the Premier has brought forward two others, to which he will allude further on, as sufficient, in his opinion, to make it his duty to make the appointments asked. 3. The present position is that the party in power has now appointed fifteen Councillors in addition to those previously appointed by the same party, and on the appointments now asked for being gazetted they will have appointed eighteen Councillors in five years, a number which he believes to be unprecedented in the history of this or any other colony. There can be no doubt, as the Governor has before pointed out, that, when the time comes when another Government assumes office, what has happened will form a very strong incitement to the next Ministry, in their turn, to make a considerable addition to the Council, thereby raising it to an abnormal strength, and thus causing the colony an unnecessary expense, for which the present Government will have to bear the responsibility. 3. The reasons which induce him to agree to these appointments, however unnecessary he may deem them, are : First, that the result of the general election, which gives the Government a considerable though reduced majority, is evidence that the Premier still possessed at the general election the confidence of the colony. The second is, that he thinks it very inadvisable that such an important question should be left for the consideration of his successor, as from the Premier's memorandum it appears would be the ease, were he not to agree to the advice given him. 5. Therefore, although he feels that this intimation places a pressure upon him, for the reasons he has given he has come to the conclusion that it is his duty to act on the advice of his Ministers, and to grant the three appointments advised. 6. I have to request that this memorandum may be placed on the table of both Houses of the General Assembly on the meeting of Parliament. Glasgow.

No. 16. (No. 8.) Sic,— Government House, Wellington, sth February, 1897. Having been granted by your telegram of the Ist September, 1896, two months' leave of absence, I have the honour to inform you that I take my final departure from the colony on the 6th of February (to-morrow evening), and that my five years' term of service will expire on the 18th of April next ensuing. Sir James Prendergast, Knight, Chief Justice of the Colony, will be the Administrator of the Government until the arrival of my successor. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, I have, &c, Secretary of State for the Colonies. GLASGOW.

No. 17. (No. 10.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 18th February, 1897. I have the honour to inform you that His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow took his departure from New Zealand on the afternoon of Saturday, the 6th instant, amidst an universal expression of respect and affection. On Monday, the Bth instant, I, under the Commission to the Chief Justice, assumed the Administration of the Government, having first taken the oaths required, and in the manner prescribed by the Eoyal Instructions. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 18. (No. 12.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 18th March, 1897. In reply to your despatch, No. 57, 21st November, 1896, I have the honour to inform you that the Government here agrees with the wishes of the German Government therein made reference to, and approves of the method of procedure suggested in the last paragraph of Prince Hohenlohe's despatch. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1897, No. 26 (property of Germans dying intestate).

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No. 19. (No. 14.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 18th March, 1897. In reply to your circular despatch of the 14th November last, relating to the retention of the title of " Honourable " by members of the Legislative Council of this colony, I have the honour to inform you that it is the wish of Ministers here that the privilege mentioned in that despatch should be accorded to gentlemen who hereafter, by resignation or by absence, vacate their seats in the Legislative Council after ten years' continuous service. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, . Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1897, No. 25.

No. 20. (No. 17.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 27th March, 1897. In reply to the despatch of the 2nd October last, addressed to His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow by the Earl of Selbourne for you, requesting that there should be obtained a report as to the working of the clauses in the Acts of this colony relating to employers' liability which forbids contracting out, but provide that, in determining the amount of compensation, allowance is to be made for the contribution of the employers to an insurance or compensation fund, I have the honour to state that I have obtained from Ministers here a report from the Secretary of the Department of Labour, which report is here enclosed. I have also to state that the Prime Minister expresses his opinion that the Acts in force here relating to employers' liability are on the whole working satisfactorily. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1897, No. 21.

Enclosure. Sic, — Department of Labour, Wellington, 23rd March, 1897. I have the honour to report as follows concerning the information asked for of His Excellency by the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The sections of the New Zealand Acts referred to are attached herewith, viz. : Section 69 of "The Coal-mines Act, 1891," and sections 6 and 9 of " The Employers' Liability Act Amendment Act, 1891." Few cases have of late years been tried under the Employers' Liability Acts, and of these no cases hinged upon the sections in question. The Employers' Liability Acts appear to work well, and to afford that necessary protection to workmen which they were intended to do. Efforts have been made by a certain accident insurance company in New Zealand to induce employers to insure their workmen against accident and themselves against all liability under the Employers' Liability Acts; the premiums being deducted from the workmen's wages, and consent being made a condition of employment. This the Government has successfully endeavoured to prevent. i have, &c, Edw. Tbegeab, The Hon. the Premier. Secretary, Department of Labour.

No. 21. (No. 18.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 25th April, 1897. I have the honour to forward herewith a synopsis of the Acts passed at the first session of the thirteenth Parliament of New Zealand, held in April, 1897, with copies of the said Acts. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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Enclosures. Memorandum for His Excellency. (No. 67.) Premier's Office, Wellington, 14th April, 1897. The Premier has the honour to forward, for transmission to the Eight Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a synopsis, prepared by the Law Officers, of the Acts passed at the first session of the thirteenth Parliament of New Zealand. E. J. Seddon.

The Colonial Secretary. Below is the usual synopsis of Acts passed by the General Assembly, and which has been prepared by me. The Acts in question are those of the recent session of Parliament. 13th April, 1897. W. S. Eeid.

Synopsis of the Acts passed by the Genebal Assembly of New Zealand in the First Session of the Thirteenth Parliament, held in the Year 1897. Public General Acts. No. 1. The Legislative Council Act Amendment Act. — This Act provides for the present Speaker of the said Council holding office until fourteen days after the commencement of the next session if his term of office expires when Parliament is not in session, and also provides for the appointment of an Acting Speaker if the office of Speaker becomes vacant. No. 2. The Public Eevenues Acts Amendment Act.—This Act is to remain in force until the 14th day of October, 1897, and meantime amends the law relating to the public revenues so as to enable the public service of the colony to be carried on until the next ensuing session of Parliament, and also makes other temporary financial arrangements.

Local Act. No. 1. The Wellington City Sanitation Loan Act.—This Act authorises the Council of the City of Wellington to raise by special loan a further sum or sums not exceeding £33,000, in addition to the amount authorised by " The Wellington City Sanitation Loan Empowering Act, 1892," for drainage purposes.

No. 22. (No. 20.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 15th April, 1897. In reply to your despatch of the 16th January last, addressed to the A Earl of Glasgow, I have the honour to state that the necessary Proclamation has j been made, and published in the New Zealand Gazette, a copy of which I now enclose. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1897, No. 28 (thCoinage Ac6j

No. 23. (No. 29.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 12th May, 1897. I have the honour to have sent in a separate cover, for presentation to Her Majesty, a joint address to Her Majesty passed by both Houses of Parliament, which has been forwarded to me by the Speakers of both Houses with the request that I should forward it to you, to be laid at the foot of the Throne. I also enclose a copy of the address. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies. Approximate Coat of Paper.— Preparation, not given: printing (1,375 copies), £1 ss. M.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97. Price 6d.]

3—A. 1.

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