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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1905 Session I, A-01

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1905. 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.

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So. of leries. Date. Subject. Page. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 April, 1904.. 16 April, „ .. 13 May, „ .. 6 June, ,, 23 June, „ .. 4 July, „ .. 13 July, „ .. 20 July, „ .. 29 July, „ 26 Aug., „ .. 26 Aug., „ .. 29 Sept., „ .. 11 Oct., „ .. 21 Oct., „ .. Money-orders between the United Kingdom and the colony Malaria investigation Application of "Colonial Solicitors Act, 1900," to New Zealand in respect to England Finger-prints for identification of criminals Arrival of Governor Lord Plunket Hon. G. M. O'Rorke called to Legislative Council Opening of New Zealand Parliament Preferential-trade relations Paris Sanitary International Convention: New Zealand joins Banners for colonial contingents Marine survey of New Zealand Duties of Registrar in Ecclesiastical and Maritime Causes vested in the Registrar of the Privy Council Payment of death duties: Estate of late J. W. Smith Services of Major G. R. Johnstone in connection with assessment of claims of protected burghers, South Africa Complaint of Mr. William Ross re British Consul at Tonga Resolutions of General Assembly re Chinese in Transvaal Acts of 1904 Excise duties in operation in New Zealand Commercial agreement with Belgium: New Zealand declines Tenders for supply of meat, forage, &c, to troops in South Africa Sentence of death passed on James William Ellis Gold and silver exported during 1904 Cancer research License for Suwarrow Island Orders asked for by Army Council Guns for Field Batteries 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ■23 24 25 20 2 Nov., „ .. 10 Nov., „ .. 24 Nov., „ .. 24 Nov., „ .. 18 Dec, „ .. 6 Feb., 1905.. 22 Feb 2 Mar., „ .. 4 Mar., „ .. 4 Mar., „ .. 21 Mar., „ .. 21 Mar., „ .. 5 5 6 6 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 11 11

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No. 1

(No. 22.) Sir, — . Government House, Wellington, isth April, 1904. Referring to your despatch circular, dated the 21st January, 1904, with regard to an extension of the maximum amount for which single money-orders between the United Kingdom and this colony can be issued, I have the honour to inform you that my Government have no objection to the increase of such maximum from £10 to £40. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 2. (No. 23.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 16th April, 1904. With reference to your despatches on the subject of malaria investigation, I have the honour to inform you that my Government, after careful consideration, have decided that, as there is no malaria in New Zealand, it is not considered advisable that they should contribute to the same. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 3. (No. 35.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 13th May, 1904. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand, General), dated the 16th March, 1904, transmitting copies of an Order in Council applying to " The Colonial Solicitors Act, 1900," to this colony in respect to England, I have the honour to inform you that my Government have learnt with much satisfaction that the Colonial Solicitors Act has been extended to New Zealand. The Order in Council has been gazetted, and other steps will be taken to insure due publicity. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 4. (No. 42.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 6th June, 1904. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand, Circular), dated the 15th March, 1904, on the classification and uses of finger-prints, I have the honour to inform you that the system of identification of criminals by means of finger-prints was introduced in the Police Department of this colony in April, 1903, and. has already proved a considerable success. Mr. Henry's system was adopted, and his treatise on the subject utilised. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1904. No. 35.

No. 5. (No. 47.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd June, 1904. I have the honour to .inform you of my safe arrival in New Zealand on the 20th instant. My Ministers desire me to give the following account of the day's proceedings: —

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The day was observed as a public holiday, and I received a cordial and enthusiastic welcome, a large number of the Defence Forces and cadets taking part in the function. In spite of the wet weather the streets were lined with thousands of people whose enthusiasm displayed in a marked degree their patriotic regard for the Representative of His Most Gracious Majesty the King. Three loyal addresses were presented, and the reception shown me was most gratifying. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 6. (No. 54.) Str, — Government House, Wellington, 4th July, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that on the 25th June, 1904, I called to the Legislative Council the Hon. Sir George Maurice O'Rorke, Kt., of Auckland, who for very many years was Speaker of the House of Representatives, also a member of the Senate of the New Zealand University, and an ex-Minister of the Crown. Before this appointment was made there were three Councillors in this House less than there had been previously. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 7. (No. 56.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 13th July, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that I opened the second session of the fifteenth Parliament of New Zealand on the 28th June, 1904, and to enclose copies of the Speech that I made on that occasion. 2. I have also the honour to forward herewith copies of the Address in Reply presented to me by the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives on the Ist July, 1904, as well as copies of the Address in Reply from the Speaker and members of the Legislative Council presented to me this day. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 8. (No. 58.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 20th July, 1904. I have the honour to state that I duly submitted your despatch circular of the 4th May to my Ministers, on the subject of preferential-trade relations between the colonies and the United Kingdom, to my Government. 2. The only allusions in the New Zealand Parliament to this question prior to the introduction of " The Preferential and Reciprocal Trade Act, 1903," appear in the Speech of my predecessor at the opening of the New Zealand Parliament on the 24th June, 1898, and in the Address in Reply to the same. Extracts on this subject from the Speech and Reply are herewith enclosed. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1905, No. 4.

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No. 9

(No. 61.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 29th July, 1904. I duly submitted your circular despatch of the 28th May, on the subject of the Paris Sanitary International Convention (1903), to my Ministers, and I have the honour to inform you that the New Zealand Government desires to become a party to that Convention, so far as the resolutions are applicable to it. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1905, No. 8.

No. 10. (No. 66.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 26th August, 1904. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand, Miscellaneous) of the 21st May, 1904, I have the honour to inform you that a very large number of the men who served in the several contingents despatched from this colony to the South African war were members of the various Volunteer corps and also of the New Zealand Permanent Force at the time of their enrolment'in the contingents; and, further, that none of the contingents referred to were organized on a permanent basis, but were disbanded on return to this colony. 2. Under these circumstances, my Ministers desire me to request that JHis Majesty's Government will be so good as to grant the banners to this colony, and also to increase as requested in my predecessor's despatch of the 14th December, 1903. ; '•*■■': I I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State|for|thejColonies.

A.-2, 1905. No. 6.

No. 11. (No. 67.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 26th August, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that my Government have duly considered your despatch (New Zealand, General) of the 28th May last, on the subject of establishing a marine survey for the colony, and, as a result of such consideration, they propose to establish a survey as suggested. 2. In view of this being done, my Ministers desire that H.M.S. " Penguin " should discontinue the work of surveying in New Zealand so soon as the Admiralty can make the necessary arrangements for such discontinuance. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1905. No. 7.

NO. 12. (No. 78.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 29 th September, 1904. With reference to your circular despatch of the 7th July last, I have the honour to inform you that the copy which you enclosed of an Order of the King in Council of the 23rd June, 1904, concerning the Registrar in Ecclesiastical and Maritime Causes, will be published in the New Zealand Gazette. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1905, No. 14.

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No. 13

(No. 82.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 11th October. 1904. With reference to your despatch (No. 42) of thef|6th July, regarding the payment of death duties on the estate of the late J. W. Smith, of Dunedin, New Zealand, I have brought the letter from the Board of Inland Revenue (enclosed in that despatch) before the notice of my Ministers. 2. I have the honour to enclose you herewith a copy of a memorandum which my Government are sending to their Agent-General, from which it will be seen that this colony has declined to adopt the legislation suggested by the Board of Trade. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1905. No. 13.

Premier's Office, Wellington, 27th September, 1904. Memoeandum for Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Re J . W. Smith, deceased. Refereing to your letter of the 30th November last and enclosures, and to subsequent correspondence on the subject of the payment of duty in the estate of the above deceased, I have now the honour to forward to you enclosed a copy of a letter received by His Excellency the Governor through the Secretary of State for the Colonies, from which you will perceive that the Board of Inland Revenue are taking steps to recover the duty payable, and state their inability to relinquish the claim. I have further to inform you that the Government of this colony has declined to adoptjthe legisVi<n suggested in the last paragraph of the Board's letter, whereby the difficulty which has arisen might be met. R. J. Seddon, Premier.

No. 14. (No. 86.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 21st October, 1904. [| With reference to your despatch (No. 57) of the 16th August last, concerning the marked ability with which Major G. R. Johnstone performed his duties in connection with military compensation claims in the Transvaal, I have the honour to inform you that I transmitted the contents of your despatch to my Ministers, as desired. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1905, No. 18.

No. 15. (No. 91.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd November, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that my Government desire me to transmit copy of a letter they have received from Mr. William Ross, of Auckland, in which the writer complains that the Consul at Vavau (Friendly Islands) states that the treaty between Great Britain and Tonga renders the Consul powerless to intervene in difficulties between New Zealand's shipping and the Tongan Government. 2. My Government state that, as Mr. Ross is a resident of New Zealand, they would be glad if inquiry were made by the Imperial Government into this matter. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. S;s» — Vavau, Friendly Isles, 24th September, 1904. I have the honour to address you in reference to a statement made to me by Mr. Hamilton Hunter, our British Consul here. I am master and owner of the schooner " Ysabel," 150 tons register, of New Zealand, and I am a citizen of Auckland, and trade between New Zealand and the Friendly and other islands.

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The Tongan Government have at various times, as shown by the records in the Consulate, tried to hinder me in my lawful occupation, and I have had to seek the protection and advice of the British Consul here on several occasions, but now I am informed by him that he is " powerless " to render me any aid, and that the treaty between Great Britain and Tonga rendered him powerless to help or intervene in any way with New Zealand ships. Mr. H. Hunter has himself granted me permission to make this statement to you or any others in New Zealand. I would kindly ask you, in face of the above facts, to do something to cause New Zealand shipping to be placed on mose favourable terms in these Islands, because when this Government once know of the above they will make it impossible for New Zealand ships to come here at all unless they submit to numberless indignities and troubles. Hoping you will cause something to be done shortly, I have, &c, The Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier, New Zealand. William Koss.

No. 16. (No. 92.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 10th November, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that I have received Addresses from the Legislative Council and from the House of Representatives of this colony, in which I am requested to transmit to you the following resolution which both the Council and the House have recently passed : " That this House [Council] deeply regrets the introduction of Chinese labour into the Transvaal without the expressed and direct sanction of the white population by vote having been first obtained or responsible government being granted." I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 17. (No. 94.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 24th November, 1904. I have the honour to forward to you herewith a synopsis, prepared by the Law Officers, of the Acts passed during the second session of the fifteenth Parliament of New Zealand, together with the Acts duly authenticated with the Seal of the Colony. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Synopsis of Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand in the Session ended the Bth November, 1904. Public General Acts. No. 1. An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, One thousand nine hundred and five. No. 2. An Act to make further Provision respecting the Bank of New Zealand. No. 3. An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, One thousand nine hundred and five. No. 4. An Act to make Better Provision for the Appointment of Domain Boards. No. 5. An Act to amend the Law relating to Fencing. No. 6. An Act to revive " The Town Districts Act, 1881," and " The Town Districts Act 1881 Amendment Act, 1883." No. 7. An Act to amend " The School Attendance Act, 1901." No. 8. An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, One thousand nine hundred and five. No. 9. An Act to amend " The Police Offences Act, 1884." No. 10. An Act to amend " The Harbours Act, 1878." No. 11. An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, One thousand nine hundred and five. No. 12. An Act to make certain Amendments in the Law. No. 13. An Act to consolidate and amend the Law relating to the Drainage of Land. ■ No. 14. An Act to amend " The Maori Antiquities Act, 1901."

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No. 15. An Act to amend the Law relating to the Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration of Deceased Persons' Estates. No. 16. An Act to amend the Law relating to the Salaries of the Judges of the Supreme Court. No. 17. An Act to amend " The Water-supply Act, 1891." No. 18. An Act compiling certain Acts of the General Assembly relating to Divorce and Matrimonial Causes. No. 19. An Act compiling certain Acts of the General Assembly relating to Marriage. No. 20. An Act compiling certain Acts of the General Assembly relating to Education. No. 21. An Act to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Local Elections, and to the Taking of Polls on Proposals submitted to the Vote of Local Electors. No. 22. An Act to amend the Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901." No. 23. An Act to declare the Conditions on which Public Loans may be raised in New Zealand. No. 24. An Act to consolidate and amend the Law relating to the Payment of Members of the General Assembly. No. 25. An Act to impose a Land-tax and an Income-tax. No. 26. An Act to amend " The Counties Act, 1886." No. 27. An Act to make Provision for the Appointment and Powers of certain Public Officers. No. 28. An Act to repeal the Special Stamp Duties heretofore payable on the Alienation of Native Lands. No. 29. An Act to amend " The Weights and Measures Act, 1903." No. ZO. An Act to enable Satisfaction to be made of a Compensation Grant to one William Henry Ware Carrington, deceased. No. 31. An Act to provide for the Better Training of Midwives, and to regulate the Practice of Midwifery. No. 32. An Act to amend " The Destitute Persons Act, 1894." No. 33. An Act to amend " The Mining Act, 1898." No. 34. An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, One thousand nine hundred and five. No. 35. An Act to authorise the Eaising of Money in Aid of certain Public Works and Purposes. No. 36. An Act to authorise the Construction of certain Railways. No. 37. An Act to amend " The Public Health Amendment Act, 1903." No. 38. An Act to extend the Powers of the University of New Zealand in regard to the Conferring of Degrees. No. 39. An Act to make Better Provision for the Registration and Winding-up of Mining Companies. No. 40. An Act to authorise the Duplication and other Improvements of certain Railways. No. 41. An Act to amend the Law relating to the Rating of Native Land. No. 42. An Act to amend the Licensing Acts. No. 43. An Act to make Better Provision for computing the Retiring-allowance of Railway Servants in certain Cases. No. 44. An Act to make Provision for the Manufacture and Supply of Ammunition for the Defence Forces of New Zealand. No. 45. An Act to amend " The Education Act, 1904." No. 46. An Act to amend " The Public Works Act, 1894." No. 47. An Act to provide for the Office of High Commissioner for New Zealand in the United Kingdom. No. 48. An Act to make Better Provision for the Control of the Sale of Fertilisers. No. 49. An Act to adjust and protect Claims and Interests in, and to amend the Laws relating to, Maori Lands No. 50. An Act to amend " The Foreign Insurance Companies' Deposits Act, 1894." No. 51. An Act to amend the Law relating to Road Boards. No. 52. An Act to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Shops and Offices. No. 53. An Act to amend " The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1900." No. 54. An Act to amend " The Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act, 1900." No. 55. An Act to amend " The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900." No. 56. An Act to adjust the Boundaries of the Counties of Kawhia and Awakino, and to constitute thereout a New County. No. 57. An Act to provide for the Registration of Dentists qualified to practise, and for the Regulation of the Practice of Dentistry in New Zealand. No. 58. An Act to provide for the Management of Hagley Park and Domain, Christchurch. No. 59. An Act to make Better Provision for the Control of certain Reserves now vested in the Council of the University of Otago. No. 60. An Act to appropriate and apply certain Sums of Money out of the Consolidated Fund, the Public Works Fund, and other Accounts to the Services of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, One thousand nine hundred and five, and to appropriate the Supplies granted in this Present Session. Local Acts. No. 1. An Act giving Power to. the Hokitika Harbour Board to dispose of certain Endowments vested in the said Board, and to further improve the Hokitika Harbour. No. 2. An Act to further enable the Governors of the Gisborne High School to grant Scholarships, and to remove Doubts as to the Power heretofore conferred upon the Governors for the Grant of Scholarships.

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No. 3. An Act to amend " The Auckland City Borrowing Act, 1899." No. 4. An Act to enable the Corporation of the City of Auckland to take, divert, and impound the Whole of the Water flowing into and in the Head-waters of the Streams called the Nihotupu, Huia, and Waitakerei, and all or any of the Tributaries of such Head-waters, for the Purpose of increasing the Supply of Water for the Inhabitants of the said City, and for other Purposes in connection with the said Objects. No. 5. An Act to validate certain Leases granted by the Inglewood Town Board. No. 6. An Act to vest certain Lands in the Corporation of the City of Nelson. No. 7. An Act to authorise the Exchange of certain Lands. No. 8. An Act to amend " The Oxford and Oust Road Districts Act, 1902." No. 9. An Act to enable the Body Corporate called " The Inhabitants of the Remuera Road District" to borrow Four Thousand Pounds. No. 10. An Act to enable the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of South Dunedin to acquire Lands for Street-widening and other Purposes, and to borrow the necessary Funds. No. 11. An Act to amend " The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885." No. 12. An Act to confer Additional Leasing-powers upon the Council of the City of Wellington. No. 13. An Act to empower the Patea Harbour Board to borrow Ten Thousand Pounds. No. 14. An Act to authorise the Auckland Harbour Board to raise by way of Loan the Sum of Four Hundred Thousand Pounds. No. 15. An Act to vest in the Waitara Harbour Board a Portion of a Foreshore Endowment belonging to the New Plymouth Harbour Board, together with certain Rights over an Adjacent Part of such Foreshore Endowment. No. 16. An Act to make Provision for a Supply of Water for the Use of the Inhabitants of the Town of Ashburton from a Water-race under the Control of the Ashburton County Council. No. 17. An Act to enable the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board to sell a certain Allotment or Parcel of Land now vested in it, and to apply the Proceeds of such Sale in or towards the Erection of an Infectious-diseases Hospital, and the Fixtures, Fencing, and Improvements in connection therewith. No. 18. An Act to grant Further Borrowing-powers to the Timaru Harbour Board. No. 19. An Act for empowering the Hawke's Bay and Waipawa United District Charitable Aid Board to sell and convey certain Lands, and to acquire a Site for an Institution. No. 20. An Act to extend the Powers of the Trustees of the Dunedin Garrison Hall. Private Acts. No. 1. An Act to authorise the Trustees of Allotment Number Fifty in the Town of Hamilton West, held in Trust as the Site for a Parsonage for the Use of a Minister of the United Church of England and Ireland in New Zealand, to sell or lease the said Allotment, and to purchase other Freehold Lands and Hereditaments, or to exchange the said Allotment for other Freehold Lands and Hereditaments. No. 2. An Act to provide for the Vesting in the Church Property Trustees, Canterbury, of certain Reserves, being Part of the Christchurch Town Reserves, as a Local Endowment within the meaning off Part IV. of " The Church Property Trust (Canterbury) Act, 1879." 'J*\ *No. 3. An Act enabling the Trustees of the Estate of Stephen Cole Moule, deceased, to provide out of the Income of the Estate for the Maintenance and Benefit of the Family of Stephen Cole. Moule, late of Picton, deceased (hereinafter called " Stephen Cole Moule the Younger "). during their Lives and the Life of the Survivor, and directing and empowering the Trustees to pay the Residue and Remainder of the Net Income derived from the Estate of the said Stephen Cole Moule, deceased, to the Local Body or Persons for the time being having the Management and Control of the Old Men's Home, Ashburton. No. 4. An Act to provide for the vesting in the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch of certain Lands being Part of the Town Reserves of Christchurch, and to enable the Bishop of the said Diocese to raise Moneys for the Building of a Cathedral Church at Christchurch, by Mortgage of the said Lands, or by Issue of Debentures secured on Mortgage of the said Lands. No. 5. An Act to enable the Waipori Falls Electric Power Company (Limited) to supply and use Electrical Energy for Lighting, Power, Heat, and other Purposes within the City of Dunedin and the Boroughs, Counties, and Districts adjacent thereto.

No. 18. (No. 95.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 24th November, 1904. With reference to your circular of the 2nd September, concerning excise duties in the colonies, I have the honour to enclose for the information of the Board of Trade a statement of the excise duties in operation in New Zealand, and to inform you that care will be taken to forward notification of changes which may be made from time to time. . I have, &c., The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1905. No. 22.

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Enclosure,

Excise Duties in Operation in New Zealand, 1904. J e f du *y • • ■ • .. 3d. the gallon. Tobacco Is. thelb. Cigars and snuff Is. 6d. the lb. Cigarettes manufactured by machinery . . .. .. 2s. 6d the lb Cigarettes manufactured by hand .. .. .. Is. the lb. Perfumed spirits 2Os the X Urn ioilet preparations subject to 16s. the gallon on importation .. .. .. . 12s . Toilet preparations subject to 25 per cent, duty on importation ...... g g Toilet preparations subject to 25 per cent, duty on importation .. .. .. _ g g Pharmacopoeia tinctures, essences, extracts, and medicinal spirits containing more than 5 per cent, proof spirit .. 9d. the lb. Pharmacopoeia tinctures, essences, extracts, and medicinal spirits containing less than 50 per cent, proof spirit .. 3d. the lb.

No. 19. (No. 99.) SlE '~ T Government House, Auckland, 18th December, 1904 In reply to your despatch (No. 53) of the 6th August, I have the honour to inform you that my Ministers, after careful consideration of the matter in question have decided that the time is not opportune for entering into the proposed commercial agreement with Belgium. I nave & c F The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A,-2, 1905, No. 16.

No. 20. (No. 4.) Sm '~ T , , . Government House, Wellington, 6th February, 1905 1 have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of a memorandum I have received from the Premier of this colony on the subject of tenders for the supply of meat, forage, &c. to the troops in South Africa, and shall be obliged if you wiU -ause this matter to be brought before the notice of the Army Council! mi t,- t, tt I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., PLUNKET Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 25th January, 1905. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Premier desires to inform His Excellency the Governor that the forms of tender sent to this on W irnVe h™ *? Arm y C ° uncil for *• -PPlj of meat, forage, &c, to the troops In Sou nA £ arrive here too late to admit of New Zealand merchants or producers to tender. The PremSr entlo es dat2 IS th l^N 7 mf ° rma + tlOn I T t * ender form received with the covering letter attached thereto dated the 18th November, from which His Excellency will see that tenders have to be in the several districts mentioned m South Africa on the 17th January instant, which, so far as New Zealand ll thelffiitv Tf T° SSI S c - -7 he Premler res P ectM ly urges, therefore that HktowSi ,ti? % \t ole I" a ,f h ° nt ! es ' P° mtln g out the utter inutility of the present arrangement and suggesting that time should be given, between the date of the issue of forms in London anTS date o c osmg m South Africa, for New Zealand producers to tender. The Premier feels that in view of the quality of New Zealand produce, the-military authorities would be pleased to receive New Zealand out *V ™ " *** ™?¥> S5 *oZ JoiS

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No. 21. (No. 5.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 22nd February, 1905. I have the honour to report that on the 6th February sentence of death was passed upon James William Ellis, alias John McKenzie, convicted of the murder of one Leonard Collinson upon the 26th February, 1904. 2. My Ministers reported to me that they were unanimously of opinion that there should be no interference with the death-sentence, and with that advice I fully concurred. 3. I have accordingly directed that the law shall take its course. I have, &c, PLUNKET. The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 22. (No. 7.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd March, 1905. In conformity with Mr. Chamberlain's request, contained in a despatch of the Bth December, 1898, I have the honour to inform you that the quantities of gold and silver entered for export for the year ended the 31st December, 1904, were 520,320 oz., equal to 16,184-14 kilograms, valued at £1,987,501; and 1,094,461 oz., equal to 34,042*33 kilograms, valued at £112,875 respectively, I have, &c, PLUNKET. The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 23. (No. 10.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 4th March, 1905. With reference to your circular despatch of the 18th November, 1904, on the subject of cancer research, I have the honour to inform you that my Government are prepared to comply, as far as possible, with the wishes therein expressed. 2. Several specimens have already been sent to the General Superintendent of Research, London. 3. The Health Department in this colony has few hospitals directly under its control to which patients suffering from cancer are admitted; and, although the medical practitioners throughout the colony are invited to send all specimens to the Department for microscopical and bacteriological examination, accompanied by a clinical report, such data are rarely received. 4. The Chief Health Officer has drawn the attention of the Medical Superintendents of most of the hospitals to the value of the data being of a uniform type; and if the Superintendent of Research in London will be good enough to send, say, 1,000 of the cards forwarded with your circular despatch, they will be posted to all the doctors practising throughout New Zealand. There is no need to send tubes, as these can be supplied by the Department. I have, &c, PLUNKET. The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 24. (No. 12.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 4th March, 1905. With reference to your despatch (No. 44) of the 13th July, 1904, concerning a new license for Suwarrow Island, I have the honour to enclose the following deeds, which I have executed :—

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fa.) Counterpart surrender of license of Suwarrow Island, dated the 20th June, 1904. (6.) Original license of Suwarrow Island, dated the 13th February, 1905. 2. The license of the 10th August, 1892, and the assignment of the 30th June, 1899, are also forwarded herewith, as requested in paragraph 4 of your despatch. 3. The costs of the Crown for the issue of the new license will still be three guineas which may be paid to the Agent-General for New Zealand. I have, &c, PT TTNTCTfT The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 25. (No. 13.) SlR '~ Government House, Wellington, 21st March, 1905. With reference to your despatch (General) of the sth January, I have the honour to inform you that the Orders desired by the Army Council will be supplied. I have, &c, PT The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1905. No. 27.

No. 26. (No. 22.) SlR '~~ Government House, Auckland, 21st April, 1905. I have the honour to inform you that my Government desire me to communicate with you concerning the disposal to the New Zealand Government of discarded 15-pr. B.L. Mark IV. guns. 2. It is computed that fourteen guns of the above-mentioned description will be required to complete the re-armament of field batteries in New Zealand. 3. As these guns are being replaced in England by others of an entirely different pattern, my Ministers think that they would probably be practically useless to the Home Government, and suggest that the latter might possibly see fit to let the colony have them at a reduced price, or even at a nominal charge. I have, &c, PT The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, M.P., Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, cot given; printing (1,425 copies), £5 Ua.

By Authority: John Mackat, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9os.

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