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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1910 Session I, A-01

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1910. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

INDEX.

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No. of Date. • Subject. Series Page 1 1 April, 1909.. Radio-telegraphic Convention 2 9 „ „ .. Appellate Jurisdiction Act.. 3 9 International Congress of Actuaries at Vienna : appointment of Mr. Morris Fox to represent New Zealand 4 12 International Conference with regard to Leprosy 5 14 „ „ .. Return of expenditure on education 6 I 23 „ „ .. Appointment of clergymen to minister to the spiritual needs of Presbyterian sailors 7 3 May, „ .. I Conference of Surveyors-General in London 8 8,, „ .. Retention of the title of " Honourable " by Mr. William Hall-Jones 9 18 „ „ .. Advising that Colonel Richard Hutton Davies, C.B., is proceeding to England fofurther training 10 24 „ „ .. Twelfth International Congress on Alcoholism 11 25 „ „ .. Appointment of Mr. W. H. D. Bell as Acting-Consul of Denmark at Wellington '.'. 12 26 „ „ .. I International Telegraph Conference at Lisbon 13 26 „ .... International Conference on Leprosy at Bergen 14 12 June, „ .. No Bulgarian medical students in the Dominion Iβ 12 , Appointment of Mr. O. Moller as Acting-Consul of Denmark at Christchurch Hi Iβ „ „ .. Opening of Parliament 17 17 „ „ •• Reciprocity in matters connected with examination and authorization of surveyors.. 18 17 „ „ .. Appointment of Mr. Thomas Young as Consul of Japan at Wellington 19 18 , The Harbours Act, 1908 .. .. .. .. . \\ 20 i 18 „ „ .. International Veterinary Congress at the Hague .. .. \\ 21 22 „ „ .. Changes in New Zealand Ministry 22 3 July, ., .. Acceptance of letters from British post-offices in French settlements in India 28 16 ,, „ .. Dairying industry in New Zealand 24 18 Only Act passed by General Assembly, session ended 17th .hme, ]!«)(• 25 20 „ „ .. Patents: marking of merchandise, &c, Acts relating to 26 21 Appointment of Mr. James Mackintosh as Consular Agent for France at Wellington.. 27 16 Aiii; International Conference on Preservation of Natural Resources .. 28 i 18 ,. .... Customs Tariff Agreement, South African Union ■l'.\ 1 Sept., „ .. Appointment of Mr. H. B. Sorenson as Consul of Denmark at Christohurch 30 I !> .. „ .. Rarotonga ensign and union flag .. .. . . . . .. 31 30 „ „ .. Quinquennial census to be held in 1911 32 I 30 „ „ .. Captain Cook Memorial, Queen Charlotte Sound .. .. .. " 33 j 11 Oct., „ .. J Use of white phosphorus in manufacture of matches 84 19 „ „ .. Appeals to His Majesty in Council .. .. .. .. \\ 35 25 „ „ .. Retired Judges recognised to retain title of " Honourable. " 36 28 „ „ .. Forwarding copies of the Animals Protection Act, 1908, to the Austro-Hungarian Government 37 2 Nov., „ .. Opening of Parliament 38 6 ,, ,, .. Survey of foreign passenger-steamers 3 3 3 4 4 7 7 7 8 8 g 9 9 (I 9 <i 10 II II II II 12 \-2 13 13 13 14 14 It 14 Iβ 15 If. It; it; id 17 17

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INDEX—continued.

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i No. of leries Date Subject. P«e. 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 17 11 I Censorship of plays .. .. ■• ■■ ■• ■• ._ 16 „ „ .. Use of the word " Imperial" as a prefix by companies .. •■ •• j' 16 „ „ .. International Congress of Hygiene and Demography .. .. • • " } a 19 jp „ .. Governor empowered to convene courts-martial .. •• •• •• j 19 \\ ',',.. Amendment of Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908 .. .. • • " ia 19 .. .... Life-saving appliances on ships .. "..,,'.' , '» u io 19 I " .. ships of foreign countries from the New Zealand Lile-savmg Appliances 19 Rules . q 23 Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Bill .. • • • • '■ 25 „ „ .. | Suez Canal dues .. .. • • • • • - • ■ 20 27 „ „ .. Trade-marks and patents .. • • • ■ ■ • • • 2 Dec ; Training-ship .. . ■ • • • • ■ • „i 10 Legislation concerning horse-breeding .. ■ • • • • • • • 21 ! Third International and Quinquennial Botanic Congress to be held at Brussels .. 1 Jail 1910 . ! Seismological Committee's inquiry regarding earthquakes .. . ■ " «« 27 | Proposed Congress for Preservation of Natural Resources .. . ■ • • £j 27 "„ ',',..', Exportation of plumage or skins of non-edible birds -. • • " ii 27 „ „ .. I New Zealand Acts of 1909 .. .. • • • • • • • • "28 28 „ „ .. Ayrshire cattle purchaseable in the Dominion .. .. • • • • "28 •30 " „ .. Examinations of masters and mates .. .. • • • • • ■ " S 2 Feb . Money-order Convention between France and New Zealand • • • • "90 5 Forwarding copies of Acts relating to merchant shippmg and kindred subjects .. z» 10 .. .... Departure of Governor .. ■•.."", . " *• r>l_ui;- 11 90 16 " „ .. Appointment of Mr. P. E. Dayies ,as Vice-Consul for the Argentine Republic at 30 Wellington on 27 „ „ .. Chinese immigration ■ • ■ • ■ ■ • • „„ 22 Mar Postage rates, New Zealand and French Oceania .. ■ • • • 23 International Prison Congress at Washington .. .. • • • • 23 " „ .. Export of prison-made goods from United States .. •• •■ •• • 25 „ „ .. International Congress on Kadiology and Electricity 12 April Long-service medals (defence) . • • • • • • • „„ 12 „ „ .. Establishment of law library in Downing Street .. . ■ • • "32 12 „ „ .. Enforcement of arbitration awards .. .. • • 12 „ „ .. International Congress of the Deaf .. .. • • • • 2 May Export of gold and silver in 1909 ■ • ■ • • • • „.. 2 " ... Distribution of logs of Captain Cook's voyages .. •• _ ." ■ " ,., 2 Title of " Honourable " accorded to Judges recognized throughout Lmpire .. 00 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 1

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i A.-2, 1910 No. 50.

No. 1. New Zealand, No. 25. My Lord,, — Government House, Wellington, Ist April, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordships despatch, No. 16, of the 22nd January, on the subject of New Zealand's adherence to the Radiotelegraphic Convention, to the last paragraph of which 1 replied by telegram on the 31st March. 2. With reference to the fourth paragraph of your despatch, my Ministers have sent me the following statement:— " Circulars to No. 6 and notifications to No. 13 have been duly received. " Any issued since those two numbers respectively should be forwarded. No ' copies of the documents of the Berlin Conference, 1906, or of the Berlin Con- " vention, have been received from the International Office, nor have any additional copies of the Journal Telegraphique, due in consequence of joining the " Radio-telegraphic Convention, been received." I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your most obedient humble servant, PLIJNKFT The Right Honourable the Earl of Crewe, K.G., P.C., &c. &c, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 2. New Zealand, No. 28. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 9th April, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No 27, of the 3rd February, on the subject of the Appellate Jurisdiction Act, 1908, which was passed by the Imperial Parliament. I am desired to express the gratification of the New Zealand Government that legislative effect has been given to my Prime Minister's suggestion at the Colonial Conference of 1907. I have, &c. PLUNKET, m i i o Governor, io the Larl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 3. New Zealand, No. 29. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 9th April, 1909. I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a memorandum received from my Prime Minister with reference to Mr. Morris Fox, who has been appointed as the representative of New Zealand at the 6th international Congress of Actuaries at Vienna. 2. Your Lordship will observe that it is requested that the British Government will accredit Mr. Fox to the President of the Congress. I have, &c, PLUNKET, To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 6th April, 1909. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and desires to inform His Excellency that Mr Morris *ox, Actuary of the Government Insurance Department, has been appointed by the Government to represent New Zealand at the Sixth International Congress of Actuaries, which opens in Vienna on the 6th June.

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4

Mr. Fox is a Government officer of twenty-nine years' standing, and a gentleman who will worthily uphold the dignity of the Dominion in his representation at the important Conference The Prime Minister will be glad if His Excellency will advise the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and request him to accredit Mr. Fox to the President of the Congress, Dr. Josef Ritter yon Wolf, Sektions-chef in the i.s. Minister of Interior, Vienna, through the proper authorities. Mr. Fox, who will be accompanied by Mrs. Fox, proceeds direct to Vienna from New Zealand, arriving at destination on 7th June. For Your Excellency's information, I am given to understand that the Commonwealth Government has also requested the British Government to accredit their representative (Mr. G. H. Knibbs) to the President of the Congress. » J. G. Wakd.

No. 4. New Zealand, No. 30. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 12th April, 1909. In reply to your Lordship's despatch, No. 7, of the llth January, I have the honour to inform you that my Government do not propose to be represented at the second International Conference with regard to Leprosy which is to be held at Bergen next August. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 5. New Zealand, No. 31. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 14th April, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that I am now in a position to reply to your Lordship's despatch, No. 138, of the 14th August, 1908, in which a request was made for a Return of the expenditure on education during the last five years in New Zealand. 2. I enclose herewith a memorandum from my Prime Minister, transmitting a memorandum from the Inspector-General of Schools, to which are attached tables containing the desired information. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosures. N.Z. Prime Minister's Office. 7th April, 1909. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister submits, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, the information asked for in the despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 14th August, 1908 (Government House No. 657/08), consisting of a memorandum by the Inspector-General of Schools and tabulated statements connected therewith. These enclosures as supplied in duplicate. J. G. Ward. G.H. 657/08. Education Department, Wellington, New Zealand, 6th April, 1909. Hon. the Minister of Education. Thf tables here given include a summary of all information of the kind asked for by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in his despatch dated Uth August, 1908; but in order that their force may be fully understood, it is suggested that reference should be made to the tables shown on na/es 6 18 19 20 21 and 22 of the report of the Inspector-General's Visit to Schools, &c, in Europe'and America; also to the regulations and to the reports of the Education Department for 1908 copies of which are sent herewith. ( *- Hogben " v ' ""F" 50 Inspector-General of Schools.

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Table 1.—Expenditure out of Public Funds.

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1903. 1903. 1904. 1905. iJ! Jt 1906, a II 1906. ). I g a^ OH 1907. Branch of Education. II O a % i Eh - =_ C a a g 3 a a % I H 'i £ 559,000 £ 59,00( 10 45,O0Oj £ 45,000 £ £ £ £ £ 604,000; 574,00014 l.ooi) 618,000 611.000 ■ £ i 47,000 £ 47.00C £ 658,000 £ 58,( 000 £ £ 717,000 48.000 £ 17,000 £ • 48,00( x>1 £ 765,O( £ 765,000 £ 00 720,000 e 47.01 '0 £ 767,OO< A. I. Elementary (including Native Schools and Training Colleges) II. Secondary (including Secondary Schools and Secondary departments of District High Schools) III. Continuation and Technical (including Agricultural) IV. Higher (including University and Higher Technical) Note. — E.g., Agricultural College, University, School of Engineering and University Schools of Mines ; lower Schools of Mines are included in III Totals (A. I-IV) 23,000 30,000 11,000 23,OO( 30,0CK ll,00( •0 29,000 0 .. O 18,000 29,000 18,000 52,000 j 37,000 32,000 69,000 51,000; 30,000 28,000 .. 28,000 45,000 29,000 17,000 16,0<XJl 33,000 34,000 i 32,OOOJ 32,OOC 17.000 17.000 83,000| 45,000 ! 51.(XH)! J3,( 15.1 >1,C 000, ooo; 000 68,000 34,000 54,000' .. 41,000J 23,0001 68,000) 54,ooq 41,000; 54,000' 41,000 I 34,00i > 23,OOi 102,<X 54,0( 64,(X 102,000 54,000 64,000 00 77,000 00 78,000 00 22,000 34.000, . . 18,000 111,001 78,(XM 40,001 623,000 92,OOO| 715,0001 656,000 92,000 748,000 741.000 96,000 837,000 880,000 105,000 985,000, 897,0001 99,000 996,0( B. Industrial Schools C. Special Schools (Deaf and Blind) .. D. Superannuation and Miscellaneous I 36,000 14,000 6,000 36,000 14,000 6,000 26,000: 9,000 3,000 26,OOOj 9,000 3,000 31,000 8,000 5,000 31,000 8,000 5,000 36,000 5,000 5,000 36,000 5,000 5,000 32,000! 7,000J 8,000; 32,0( 7,0( 8,<X • • Totals A, B, C, D 679,000 92,000 771,000; 694,000 92,000 786,000 785,()()0J 96,000 881,000 926,000 105,000 1,031,000! 944,000 99,000 l,043,( Does not include contributions from local bodies and private persons, which are subsidised, pound for pound, by Government; but does include the subsidies paid on sue! iontributions, amounting in the five years respectively to— 1903. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. £1,397 £920 £2,372 £12,677 £3,936

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Table 2. (1.) Expenditure on Scholarships and Free Places and on the Conveyance of Children. (2.) Average Attendance at Primary Schools.

Note. Scholarships are awarded in nearly all cases on the results of competitive examinations; but scholarships for Maoris, free places in secondary or technical schools, and University bursaries are awarded to all who reach certain prescribed standards of attainments in their previous work, shown either by examination or by certificate. These free places or bursaries exempt the holders from payment of tuition fees. University bursaries were instituted only in 1907: the amount is likely to increase considerably. The allowances to students in training colleges are not included under scholarships, although they are closely akin in character. They vary from £10 to £75 in value, and are granted to all who qualify without competition. The total amounts spent in allowances to students.(included in A I of Table 1) were as follows :—

Table 3.—Details of Expenditure on Scholarships. etc.

1903. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. £ £ £ £ £ Scholarship (A) ' 14.402 U.;iUO 13,370 16,265 16.724 Free Places (B) (as per Table 3) .. 3,089 13,891 18,556 24,885 28,704 Total .. .. .. .. 17,491 28,391 31,926 41.150 45,428 Conveyance of children to school by rail, and board of children, — Elementary Schools .. 3,627 3,656 3,055 5,091 5,638 High Schools .. .. .- 1,899 2,521 2,633 4,904 3.772 Technical Classes .. .. ... .. 20 574 846 1,956 2,693 Total L 5 > 546 6 - 751 6 ' 534 H ' 954 12 ' 103 Average Attendance, — Public Primary Schools j 113,047 116,506 120,265' 121,958 | 120,026 Native Primary Schools .. .. 3,012 3,084 3,428- 3,607! 3,561 Total . •• 116,059 119,590 123,693 125,565; 123.587 _L

1903-i. 1904-5. 1905-6. 1906-7. 1907-8. 1 : (1.) Secondary Schools and District High Schools— £ A. Education Board Scholarships .. 8,605 A. Junior National Scholarships B. Free Places .. .. ■ • 3,089 A. Foundation Scholarships .. • • 3,255 £ 8,049 903 13,015 2,563 £ 6,834 1,388 16,446 2,137 £ £ 9,341 8,564 2,469 2,304 21,767 ' 22,815 1.365 1,587 11.949 11.919 24,530 26,805 34,942 \ 35,270 i (2.) Technical Schools— B. Free Places 2,111) I 3,118 5,889 876 (3.) A. University Junior Scholarships.. .. 1.468 A. Senior National Scholarships A. Queen's Scholarships .. .. • • 665 A. University Bursaries .. . . 1,658 1,700 1,755 1,645 83 1 813 896 99 769 751 2,133 2,427 2,451 2,568 3,471 (4.) A. ""Higher Scholarships'and Research .. 409 409 558 560 522 708 Grand total .. . • • • 28,391 31,926 41,150 45,428 Scholarships (all items above except Free Places) 14,402 Free Places (two items as above) •. • • 3,089 14,500 13,891 13,370 18.556 16,265 24,885 16,72-1 28,70-1 17,491 28,391 31,926 41,150 45,428 * Sir George Grey Scholarships .. ■ 1°° University Senior .. .. • • • • | John Tinline .. • • • • ■ • 309 Bowen .. • • • ■ ■ • ' 150 408 200 360 150 372 175 623

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No. 6

New Zealand, No. 33. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd April, 1909. I have the honour to inform }'our Lordship that the contents of your despatch, No. 55, of the 3rd April 1908, were duly conveyed to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of this Dominion. 2. In reply I am desired to inform your Lordship that the Assembly has now appointed the following clergymen to minister to the spiritual needs of the Presbyterian sailors on His Majesty's fleet while in New Zealand waters : The Rev. A. A. Murray, Auckland; Rev. James Gibb, D.D., Wellington; Rev. John Bates, Lyttelton- Rev. Thomas Nisbet, D.D., Dunedin; Rev. E. C. Tennent, Port Chalmers; Rev. A. Laishley, Bluff. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 7. New Zealand, No. 36. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 3rd May, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 51 of the 4th March, transmitting copies of a memorandum drawn up by the Council of the Surveyors' Institution on the subject of the proposed establishment of reciprocity in matters connected with examination and authorisation of surveyors throughout the Empire. 2. An endeavour will be made to enable one or more representatives of the Lands and Survey Department of this Dominion to attend the proposed Conference of Surveyors-General in London, but before definite arrangements can be considered my Government desire to know the date that the Conference will be held. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 8. New Zealand, No. 39. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, Bth May, 1909. I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a memorandum from my Prime Minister, on the subject of the retention of the title of " Honourable " by Mr. William Hall-Jones, who has ceased to be a member of the Executive Council of this Dominion. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 6th May, 1909. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Referring to the Governor's despatch, No. 23, of the 7th June, 1894, and to the reply thereto of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 2nd August, 1894, on the subject of the retention of the title of " Honourable " by members of the Executive Council, the Prime Minister, in order that His Majesty's permission may be gazetted for Mr. William Hall-Jones to retain the title of Honourable, respectively requests His Excellency to be good enough to report to the Secretary of State that Mr. Hall-Jones has ceased to be a member of the Executive Council of this Dominion. J. G. Ward.

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No. 9

New Zealand, No. 41. ianfl My Lord— Government House, Wellington, 18th May 1909. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that Colonel Richard Hutton Davies, C.8., N.Z.M., now acting as a member of the Council ot Delence and of the New Zealand Defence Forces, is to_ proceed to England on or about the 20th May for the purpose of obtaining further training for twelve months with the Imperial Forces. 2 My Prime Minister desires me to request the Imperial Government to place every facility in the way of Colonel Davies acquiring such instruction in military subjects as will be of benefit to this Dominion on the return of that nffirer * have, &C, OthCer • PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. S e o fen 2"i0 1909/1500 ' Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, New Zealand, 14th May, 1909. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Hieili minion on the return of that officer. Prii^e Minister

No. 10. Mv L 0R W D Zealand ' N °" 42 ' Government House, Wellington, 24th May, 1909. In" reply to your Lordship's despatch, No. 62, of the 12th March, I have the honour to inform you that the New Zealand Government does not propole to be represented at the Twelfth International £ongre» on Alcoholism. PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 11. Mv NO ' 43 ' Government House, Wellington, 25th May 1909. MY L I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordshrp's despatch, No 4* of the 3rd March, on the subject of the appointment of Mr. W. H. D. Bell as the 13th May. PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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New Zealand, No. 44. My Lord — Government House, Wellington, 26th May, 1909 * v »ni T VC the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No 222 ot the dOtn December, on the subject of the recent International Telegraph Conference at Lisbon. & 2. My Prime Minister has informed me that the New Zealand Government approve ot the regulations and tariffs as revised at the Conference. I have, &c, PLUNKET, t. iL i f « Governor, lo the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 13. New Zealand, No. 45. My Lord— Government House, Wellington, 26th May, 1909. I have the honour to forward herewith the information desired by your Lordship in connection with the forthcoming International Conference on Leprosy at Bergen. I have, &c., PLUNKET, n, ~ t, , „ „ „ Governor. 1 o the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 14. New Zealand, No. 48. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 12th June, 1909 In reply to your despatch, No. 64, of the 18th March, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that there are no persons of Bulgarian nationality studying medicine at any institution in this Dominion. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 15. New Zealand, No. 49. My Lord,- Government House, Wellington, 12th June, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No 74 of the 2nd April, on the subject of the appointment of Mr. Odin Molle'r to take charge temporarily of the Consulate of Denmark at Christchurch. 2. [am not aware of any objection to this appointment; and notification of his being , recognised in that capacity was published in the New Zealand Gazette >f the Ith June. I have, &c., PLUNKET, Governor To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 6.

No. 16. New Zealand, No. 52. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 15th June, 1909 I have the honour to inform you that the first session of'the seventeenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened by Commission on the 10th June last.

vJ—A. 1.

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2 I enclose for your Lordship's information, copies of the speech that I subsequently delivered the same day, together with copies of the Addresses in Reply from the Legislative Council and House of Representatives. F J I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies. Enclosures. [See Journals of House of Representatives, 1909.]

No. 17. New Zealand, No. 63- HoUBe Wellington , l7th June, 1909. Inform LoTJship that my Prime Minister has requested that a further T iTZeI Council of the Surveyors' InstjSySt T I enclose a copy of a memorandum from Sir Joseph Ward dealing with ,hi 9 matter l JAMES PRENDERGAST, Deputy Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Wellington, 14th June, 1909. Hi. Excellency the Governor * ~P^^^^^ tarv of State for the Colonies that in the ]*™$J^^?\ h 3 .< C*v*l*y* *™ 7 grett Council of Surveyors in England appears; °^^ d^tl v fn Australasia and Canada." stress on co-ordinate surveying, which sub ect is treated I g > &a _ It is in order to remove an erroneous opinion nave re spectfully ask that land practice that the Government of the Domin on oNe* of the Institute the Right Honourable the Secretary ot Jd has not been treated lightly of Surveyors its assurance that «»- fCknother that New Zealand prides itself upon, in New Zealand." .If there - one act haB bee n the strong point of the it is the fact that since 1878 S triangulation has been carried over New Zealand survey system. Since 1878 » ™jor an< ™ fl accurately measured bases, and the greater part of New Zealand subtended horn calculated "The section surveyors on the true meridian, the co-ordinates of each sa to ,n J and from BUch meridian then use the co-ordinates of the trig™"*"*n!£^. supphed then., and perpendicular distances compute the co-ordinates o| ««J ? g meridional circuit. Ihe safe? rATt«a^X"» sjrusipTii si x "2 for •• .. S ." i. reduced lo under » link to . m.le. ; & Prime Minister.

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No. 18. New Zealand, No. 54. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 17th June, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 77, of the 7th April, on the subject of the appointment of Mr. Thomas Young as Consul of Japan at Wellington. I am not aware of any objection to this appointment; and notification of his being recognised provisionally in that capacity was published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 10th June, 1909. I have, &c, JAMES PRENDERGAST, Deputy Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 7.

No. 19. New Zealand, No. 55. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 18th June, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch, No. 79, of the 15th April, in which it is suggested that section 80 of the Act No. 227 of 1908 of the New Zealand Parliament, entitled " An Act to amend the Harbours Act, 1908," should be amended with a view of bringing the New Zealand law on 'certain points mentioned by your Lordship into conformity with section 592 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. 2. My Prime Minister, in reply, has sent me the following minute upon this subject:— ' The Harbours Act, 1908,' was only a consolidating Act, and section 80 I" was similar to the provision contained in ' The Harbours Act, 1878.' There I" is, however, no objection to the section being altered as suggested by the Secre-. '" tary of State, and it is proposed to make provision for this in a Bill which is " now being prepared to amend the Harbours Act." I have, &c, JAMES PRENDERGAST, _ , Deputy Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 20. New Zealand, No. 56. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 18th June, 1909 In reply to your despatch, No. 65, of the 18th March, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that the New Zealand Government propose to be represented at the International Veterinary Congress which is to take place at the Hague next September. I have, &c, JAMES PRENDERGAST, _ , _ , „ Deputy Governor. 1 o the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 1.

No. 21. New Zealand, No. 57. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 22nd June, 1909 With reference to Lord Plunket's despatch, No. 52, of the 15th June I have the honour to inform your Lordship that the New Zealand Parliament was prorogued on the 17th June. 2. During Sir Joseph Ward's absence from the Dominion, the Honourable James Carroll is acting as Prime Minister.

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and the Honourable G. Fowlds that of Customs. I have, &c, JAMES PRENDERGAST, Deputy Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 22. offices in French settlements in India. I have, &c, JAMES PRENDERGAST, Deputy Governor. To the Earl of Crcwe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910 No. 16.

No. 23. Mv L " aland ' N °" 62 Government House, Wellington, 15th July 1909 My Lord acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 95, f thP 7th ATav transShio- a copy of a letter from the Department of AgnculJurfald&SE23& L Ireland, requesting information in regard Sl - A — and six copies of each of the documents mentioned therein.^ ' PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosures. „ . „• • x 12th July, 1909. The Hon. the Acting Prime Minister. am nana ta .!« D omi n,.n. 1 l.n-.rd he re w,,h .„ oop.e. each of the following documents, v,z ; : — Si »d »port c. d. ir? .produ» (««««« Notice Minister of Agriculture.

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No. 24. New Zealand, No. 65. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 18th July, 1909. 1 have the honour to forward herewith a report and synopsis of the only Act passed during the first session of the seventeenth Parliament of New Zealand, together with a copy of the Act duly authenticated with the seal of the Dominion. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. The Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosures. 1909/1669. Report on Legislation passed bt the General Assembly of New Zealand in the Session ending on the 17th dat of june, 1909. For the information of His Excellency the Governor, 1 beg to report as follows:-— 1. The synopsis attached hereto relates to the Finance Act, 1909—the only Act passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand during the session which ended on the 17th day of June, 1909. 2. In my opinion nothing in this Act is repugnant to the law of England. Dated at Wellington, this sth day of July, 1909. J. G. FINDLAT, Attorney-General.

Synopsis of Legislation passed by thb General Assembly of New Zealand in the Session ENDING ON THE 17tH DAY OF JUNE, 1909. The Finance Act, 1909. Part I of this Act makes temporary provisions with respect to the expenditure of the public revenues of the Dominion during the period ending on the 14th day of October, 1909. These provisions are rendered necessary by the fact that, owing to the early prorogation of Parliament, the usual Imprest Supply Acts and the annual Appropriation Act could not be passed. This Act therefore extends the appropriations of the last preceding financial year up to the 14th day of October, 1909, by which time Parliament will be again in session. Part II of the Act authorises a loan of jE1,250,000, together with a further sum of £75,000, for expenditure on certain public works.

No. 25. New Zealand, No. 66. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 20th July, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 100, of the 14th May, on the subject of the compilation of a complete list of enactments dealing with Patents, Designs, Trade Marks, the Marking of Merchandise, and of regulations issued under such enactments. 2. The list, transmitted with your despatch, correctly sets out the Acts and regulations concerning Patents, &c, in New Zealand. Three copies of the enactments are forwarded herewith. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2. 1910, No. 22.

No. 26. New Zealand, No. 67. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 21st July, 1909. In reply to your despatch, No. 91, of the 4th May, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that notification of recognition of the appointment of Mr. James Mackintosh as Consular Agent for France at Wellington was published in the New Zealand Gazette of the Bth July. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A. -2, 1910, No. 19.

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No. 27.

New Zealand, No. 70. My Lord— Government House, Wellington, lbth August 1909. L have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 112. of the 28th May, on the subject of the proposed international Conference tor the Preservation of Natural Resources to be held at the Hague. 2 In reply my Ministers have requested me to inform you that as at present advised this Government does not propose to take any action in the matter of appointment of representatives." J. XIEIV6) O2C, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A. -2. 1910. No. 3 .

No. 28. My LoTd 26 " No ' Government House, Wellington, 18th August, 1909. In reply to your despatch, No. 74, of the 15th May, 1908 on the> subiect of the Customs Tariff Agreement between this Dominion and the South African Customs Union, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that my Ministers now inform me that an error occurred in the notice published in the showing that the rebate of on all goXother than those named (except spirits) is 3 per cent, on i & tQ Lordship an earlier reply- aV6, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 29. My N0 Government House, Wellington Ist September,l9o9. August, 1909. ' PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 43.

No. 30. New Zealand, No. 76 v R Wellington, 9th September, 1909. J^ks^ssi^x^x of Makea ' whose flag it was before annexation. • ' PL uNKET, Governor To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 42.

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No. 31. New Zealand, No. 77. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 30th September, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 141, of the 14th July, with reference to the next census in New Zealand. 2. My Ministers inform me that the next quinquennial census of this Dominion will be taken on or about the '2nd of April, 1911, but the actual date has not yet been fixed. 3. The whole of the information indicated in the statement enclosed with your Lordship's despatch will then be obtained. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 62.

No. 32. New Zealand, No. 78. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 30th September, 1909. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I have now received a memorandum from my Government on the subject of your Lordship's despatch, No. 150, of the 3rd of September, 1908, concerning the presentation of an iron smooth-bore gun by the Admiralty, for the memorial to Captain Cook at Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound. 2. The gun was landed at Wellington, and duly handed over to the Captain Cook Memorial Committee. 3. I am desired to express the thanks of the New Zealand Government for the presentation of this gun, which is greatly appreciated by the Committee. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 33. New Zealand, No. 80. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 11th October, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch, No. 14, of the 21st January, on the subject of the prohibition of the use of white phosphorus in the manufacture of matches, in which your Lordship inquires whether the New Zealand Government desire that a notification of their adhesion should be made under Article 3 of the Berne Convention of the 26th September, 1906. 2. 1 duly submitted the matter to my Government for their consideration, and have now received the following reply from my Prime Minister : " This matter has been referred to the Hon. the Minister for Labour, who has had full inquiries made by the Inspectors of Factories, and also by officers of the Public Health Department, as to the conditions ruling in the two factories in New Zealand, and it is found that, owing probably to the fact that the conditions of employment in New Zealand are better than in Great Britain, there does not appear to be any necessity for taking action as suggested, at all events, for the present. The Inspectors have, however, been directed to pay special attention to the work being carried on in these match-factories, so that should any necessity arise in the future for taking action the matter can then be gone into." T have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 34.

New Zealand, No. 8£ wd mh October 1909. Minister andareport from the Minister of Justice, which sets forth the yews of th 3 r";i?t c o ct y ou my * the courtesy anTionsideration which your Lordship has shown to them in this matter. PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 35. retain the title of " Honourable." I have, * C L ' UNKET Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 16th October, 1909. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. September, 1899, in which it was Kefertung to Mr. Chamberlain's despatch, No 17 the r m stated that the rule relating to the jon f the t lt le H^ ■ M presentations on the subject to the S SSSMriSSnfiiee memorandum „ the oon»der«tion of Hi. Majraty , . Government. , G Wa| , d

NO. 36. New Zealand, No. 8 8. Wellington, 28th October, 1909. MV L ° RD r h ave the hJSTS-S your I °» f S of the 27th. W d^S^^ C Se°and a ofS might minute received from my Ministers.--- forwarded hereWairarapa, and Waitaki Districts. PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 37. New Zealand, No. 90. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd November, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that I opened the second session of the seventeenth Parliament of New Zealand on the 7th October. 2. I enclose, for your Lordship's information, copies of the speech that I delivered on that occasion, together with copies of the Addresses in Reply from the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosures. [See Journals of House of Representatives, 1909.]

No. 38. New Zealand, No. 91. Mv Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 6th November, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 169, of the 3rd September, on the subject of the action taken by the Board of Trade in regard to the survey of foreign passenger steamers. 2. My Ministers inform me, in reply, that "It has been decided, in pursuance of the power given by section 185 of the New Zealand Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908, to recognise in this Dominion the official passenger-steamer certificates issued in Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Holland, and it is proposed to recognise such certificates issued by other foreign countries which may be recognised by the Board of Trade in Great Britain." I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 65.

No. 39. New Zealand, No. 92. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 11th November, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 164, of the 27th August, on the subject of the censorship of plays. 2. There is no legislative provision in this Dominion concerning the licensing of plays before production. 3. The registration of dramatic works is provided for in Part II of the Copyright Act, 1908, two copies of which are enclosed. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 64.

No. 40. New Zealand, No. 93. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 16th November, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 39, of the 19th February, on the subject of permission being granted to companies to make use of the prefix " Imperial" as well as other titles signifying Royal or Government support or patronage. 3—A. 1.

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2. In reply to the last paragraph of your despatch, my Ministers inform me that a clause dealing with this matter is included in the Companies Bill, which has been prepared for introduction this session. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 41. New Zealand, No. 94. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 16th November, 1909. In reply to your Lordship's despatch, No. 131, of the 2nd July, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I have received a communication from my Ministers stating that " as at present advised this Government does not propose to be represented at the Fifteenth International Congress of Hygiene and Demography." I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 47.

No. 42. New Zealand, No. 96. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 19th November, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 181, of the 24th September, enclosing copies of the Army (Annual) Act, 1909, and a warrant, issued to the Governor of New Zealand under the Sign-manual, empowering him to convene courts-marshal under the Army Act in certain cases. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1910, No. 74.

No. 43. New Zealand, No. 97. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 19th November, 1909. In reply to your Lordship's despatch, No. 176, of the 17th September, I have the honour to inform you that, with a view of giving effect to the request of the Board of Trade, provision has been made in a Bill, which has been introduced to Parliament to amend the Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908, to provide that certificates issued under section 26 of that Act shall be certificates of service. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 68.

No. 44. New Zealand, No. 98. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 19th November, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 173, of the 15th September, transmitting copies of a new rule for life-saving appliances on ships made by the Board of Trade. 2. It has been decided to make a similar regulation in New Zealand, and the necessary steps to do so are now being taken. I have, Ac, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 67.

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No. 45. New Zealand, No. 99. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 19th November, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 177, of the 17th September, on the subject of the exemption under certain conditions of German and Norwegian ships from the British regulations concerning lifesaving appliances under the provisions of section 4 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906. „ 2. In reply I have received the following minute from my Ministers :— " Provision is made in the Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Bill, which is now before Parliament, to enable the Governor in Council to exempt the ships of foreign countries from the New Zealand Life-saving Appliances Rules under the same conditions as similar provisions in the Imperial Merchant Shipping Act, 1906. When the Bill becomes law the question of taking similar action to that which has been taken by the Board of Trade in regard to German and Norwegian ships will receive consideration." I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 69.

No. 46. New Zealand, No. 101. , My Lord — Government House, Wellington, 23rd November, 1909. With reference to Lord Elgin's despatch, No. 12, of the 24th January, 1908 and my reply, No. 30, of the 24th April, 1908, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship three copies of the Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Bill, which has been introduced into Parliament. 2. I also enclose a copy of a memorandum, prepared by the Minister oi Marine, relating to this matter. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 16th November, 1909. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and in accordance with despatch No. 12 of the 24th January, 1908, transmits herewith a memorandum from the Hon. Minister of Marine covering the Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. } Q Ward> Prime Minister.

Minister's Office, Marine Department, Wellington, 4th November, 1909. Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. In despatch No. 12, of the 24th January, 1908, the Secretary of State for the Colonies asked that he might be supplied with a copy of any Bill to amend the New Zealand Shipping and Seamen Act prepared for introduction into Parliament, so that the Government of New Zealand might be able to consider any suggestions which His Majesty's Government might desire to offer on the Bill ° His Excellency the Governor was advised to inform the Secretary of State that as a matter of courtesy a copy of the Bill to meet the Navigation Conference resolutions would be sent to him and that the Government would be pleased to consider any suggestions the Imperial Government might desire to make should they be received before the Bill is dealt with by Parliament, but that the Bill could not be held over for the purpose.

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I enclose three copies of the Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Bill which has been introduced into Parliament, and suggest that His Excellency be advised to send them to the Secretary of State. Sections 2 (proviso), 9, 19, 24, 31, and 56 relate to matters dealt with by the Navigation Conference. J. A. Millak.

No. 47. New Zealand, No. 103. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 25th November, 1909. With reference to your despatch, No. 194, of the 20th November, 1908, transmitting correspondence relating to Suez Canal dues, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that my Ministers hope that the Imperial Government will be able in the near future to obtain a reduction in the dues. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 48. New Zealand, No. 104. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 27th November, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 53, of the sth March, on the subject of legislation concerning trade-marks and patents, and regret that I was not in a position to send you an earlier reply. 2. In answer to your Lordship's remarks, my Prime Minister has forwarded me a memorandum prepared by the Minister of Justice, a copy of which I enclose for your information. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Enclosure to New Zealand, No. 104, 27th November, 1909. Department of Justice, Wellington, New Zealand, 16th November, 1909. Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. In returning despatches Nos. 243/09 and 709/09, I beg to state that a Bill to amend the Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks Act is now in course of preparation, but that there is little likelihood of its being passed into law during the present session. Trade-marks. The proposed Bill will embody most of the proposed amendment* in the same, or a slightly different form, excepting those relating to cotton marks and standardisation marks, for which no special provision is considered necessary, as the circumstances are entirely different in New Zealand. Patents. The recent amendments made in the patent laws of England have not yet been embodied in New Zealand legislation; but they are receiving careful consideration, and such of them as are considered suitable to the conditions prevailing in the Dominion will be submitted to Parliament. I do not consider it necessary to summon a Conference in London to discuss these subjects. J. G. FINDLAT, Minister of Justice.

No. 49. New Zealand, No. 107. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd December, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 47, of the 26th February last, enclosing a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, setting forth the results of the careful examination which had been made with

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reference to the desire of the New Zealand Government to obtain a vessel for training purposes. 2. My Ministers desire me to express the thanks of the Government of this Dominion for the information kindly furnished in the letter from the Admiralty, and to inform you that, acting on the advice of their Lordships, it has been decided not to obtain a training ship at present. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 50. New Zealand, No. 109. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 10th December, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 183, of the 29th September, on the subject of the desire of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland to be furnished with particulars as to New Zealand legislation concerning horse-breeding. 2. At present there are no laws or regulations in force in this Dominion governing the examination and registration of stallions standing for public service, but the question of regulating this matter by statute is now under consideration. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910. No. 7S.

No. 51. New Zealand, No. 112. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 21st December, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 188, of the 11th October, on the subject of the Third International and Quinquennial Botanic Congress, which is to be held at Brussels in May, 1910. 2. My Ministers inform me that, as at present advised, it is not proposed to send a representative of New Zealand to this Congress. I have, &c, PLUNKET, _ Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 81.

No. 52. New Zealand, No. 1. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, Ist January, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No 168 of the 30th August, transmitting a circular from the Seismological Committee of the British Association, in which certain information was requested concerning destructive earthquakes that have occurred in various parts of the Empire. 2. So far as New Zealand is concerned, the desired information is contained m the enclosed memorandum from Mr. G. Hogben, who is in charge of the Seismological Observatory at Wellington. I have, &c, PLUNKET, vjrOVGrnor To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 53. New Zealand, No. 4. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 27th January, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 147, of the 22nd July last, regarding the proposed Congress on the subject of the preservation of the natural resources of the world. 2. My Ministers will be glad if the United States Government may be requested to kindly forward to this Dominion two copies of the proceedings of the Conference of United States Governors, which was held at Washington in May, 1908. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 58.

No. 54. New Zealand, No. 5. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 27th January, 1910. In reply to your despatch, No. 87, of the 27th April last, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that there is no express legislative provision in New Zealand for dealing with the exportation of the plumage or skins of non-edible birds; but there is power to regulate or prohibit such exportation, though it has not hitherto been considered necessary to take any action in the matter. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 15.

No. 55. New Zealand, No. 6. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 27th January, 1910. I have the honour to forward to your Lordship a synopsis, prepared by the Law Officers, of the Acts passed during the second session of the seventeenth Parliament of New Zealand, together with the Acts duly authenticated with the seal of the Dominion. 2. The Bill intituled the Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Act, 1909 (No. 36), has been reserved for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure thereon, and six copies of that Bill will be forwarded in a separate parcel direct to the Colonial Office for the use of the Board of Trade in accordance with instructions contained in the Secretary of State's circular despatch of the 23rd December, 1903. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 14th January, 1910. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents hie compliments, and begs to forward, for transmission to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a synopsis, prepared by the Law Officers, of the Acts passed during the second session of the seventeenth Parliament of New Zealand, together with the Acts duly authenticated with the seal of the Dominion. The Bill intituled the Shipping and Seamen Amendment Act, 1909 (No. 36), has been reserved for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure thereon, and six copies of that Bill will be forwarded in a separate parcel direct to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for the use of the Board of Trade in accordance with the circular despatch dated 23rd December, 1903 (G.H. 63/1904). J- G. Ward, Prime Minister.

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Report on Legislation passed bt the General Assembly op New Zealand in the Session ending on the 30th dat of december, 1909. For the information of His Excellency the Governor, I beg to report as follows: 1. The synopsis attached hereto relates to the Acts passed by the General Assembly of NewZealand during the session which ended on the 30th day of December, 1909. 2. In my opinion nothing in these Acts is repugnant to the law of England. Dated at Wellington this sth day of January, 1909. J. G. Findlat, Attorney-General. Synopsis of Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand in the Year 1909. Session 1, ending 17th June, 1909. Public General Acts. No. 1. The Finance Act, 1909 (Session I). Reported upon on the sth day of July, 1909. Session 11, ending 30th December, 1909. Public General Acts. No. 2. The Imprest Supply Act, 1909 : Applying the sum of £708,000 from the Public Account, and the -sum of £14,000 from other specified accounts, to the service of the year ending 31st March, 1910. No. 3. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1909: Authorising the raising of £1,000,000, to be charged upon the revenues of New Zealand, for the following public purposes : — (a.) The construction of railways. (b.) The purchase of rolling-stock, &c. (c.) The construction of roads, bridges, and other works in respect of land-settlement and the development of goldfields. (</.) Other public purposes not specifically referred to. No. 4. The Land-tax and Income-tax Act, 1909: Imposing a land-tax and an income-tax for the year ending the 31st March, 1910. No. i>. The Imprest Supply Act, 1909 (No. 2): Applying the sum of £708,000 from the Public Account, and the sum of £14,000 from other specified accounts, to the service of the year ending the 31st March, 1910. Xo. (5. The Imprest Supply Act, 1909 (No. 3): Applying the sum of £480,000 from the Public Account, and the sum of £14,000 from other specified accounts, to the service of the year ending the 31st March, 1910. No. 7. The Designation of Districts Amendment Act, 1909: Authorising the Governor, at the request or with the consent of the local authority of a borough, county, road district, or town district, to alter the name of any such district. No. 8. The Land Settlement Finance Act, 1909 : Making further provision for the closer settlement of land by the establishment of land settlement associations assisted by the guarantee of the State. In accordance with the terms of this Act, any five or more persons may agree to be incorporated as a land settlement association, for the purpose of purchasing a block of land for subdivision among the members of that association, in areas of from 50 to 200 acres each. The agreement for incorporation is subject to the approval and confirmation of the Governor in Council. The Public Trustee is to act as the agent of the association for all purposes. Fop the purpose of raising money for the purchase of land by it, the association may issue debentures which shall be guaranteed by the State, but not more than £500,000 shall be so guaranteed in any financial year. On the completion of the transfer to the association, separate transfers of the various allotments are made in favour of the members of the association in accordance with the terms of the agreement, at least 4 per cent, of the purchase-money being paid at the date of the transfer, and the purchasing member executes a legal mortgage in favour of the association in respect of the balance. The purchase must be completed within twenty years from the date of the mortgage by the purchaser to the association. The interest of any person in any land agreed to be purchased by him from an association under this Act shall not be capable of being assigned, charged, or otherwise disposed of. No. 9. The Naval Defence Act, 1909: Making provision for the gift of a ship of war to His Majesty the King. The Minister of Finance is authorised to contract for the building and complete arming and equipment of a ship of war, in the United Kingdom, costing not more than £2,000,000. The said ship is to be the propertyof His Majesty in respect of the Government of the United Kingdom, and is to be free from any control and authority exercised by the New Zealand Government. For the purpose of this Act, the Minister may raise a loan of £2,000,000, and in respect of that loan shall annually pay to the Public Trustee as a sinking fund an amount equal to 4 per centum of the principal sum. No. 10. The Death Duties Act, 1909: An Act making better provision for the payment of duties on the estates of deceased persons, and on property disposed of by way of gift. This Act repeals the Death Duties Act, 1908, which imposed a single duty calculated on the final balance of the real and peisonal estate, with an additional percentage for property passing to strangers in blood. The present Act imposes two separate duties in respect of the property of a deceased person —namely, succession duty and estate duty. Succession duty is determined by reference to the

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relationship that existed between the deceased and the beneficiary; estate duty has no reference to succession, but is determined wholly by reference to the value of the property left by the deceased. The rate of estate duty varies from 1 per cent, on estates of from £500 to £1,000, up to a maximum duty of 15 per cent. But in certain cases the value of the interest of the widow in the estate of the deceased (up to £5,000) is not deemed to form part of the final balance of the estate of the deceased for the purposes of estate duty. The rate of succession duty varies, according to the relationship of the successor, from 2 per cent, to 10 per cent, in the case of succession of a value not exceeding £20,000; the duty on the excess of a succession over £20,000 is twice that payable by the successor on account of the first £20,000 value of his succession. The wife, or any descendant of a deceased person, is exempt from the payment of succession duty on all successions not exceeding £20,000 in value. Exemption is also made in favour of charitable trusts. Part IV of the Act provides for the imposition of a " gift duty " on all gifts exceeding £500 in value. No. 11. Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1909: Consolidates and amends the law relating to public hospitals and charitable institutions, the distribution of charitable aid, and the establishment of private hospitals. Ihe whole of New Zealand is divided into thirty-six hospital districts, for each of which there is a Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, the members of which are elected by the electors of the local authorities of the districts included within the boundaries of the hospital districts. The existing Hospital Boards and Hospitals and Charitable Aid Boards cease to exist upon the coming into force of the new Act, and all their assets and liabilities, and their rights and duties, pass automatically to the Boards, which are respectively declared to be successors of the old Boards. Government subsidies varying from 10s. to 245. 3d. in the pound are payable to the various Boards in respect of bequests, voluntary contributions, or contributions received from local authorities, and the difference between the estimated expenditure for the year and the estimated income from all sources other than contributions from local authorities is apportioned between the local authorities of the district, and paid by them in accordance with that apportionment. Certain specified institutions known as "Separate Institutions" are continued, but become subject to those provisions of the Act which relate thereto. The provisions of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1908, as to private hospitals are repealed and re-enacted by this Act. No. 12. The Friendly Societies Act, 1909: This Act consolidates and amends the law relating to friendly and certain other specified societies, and brings the law into conformity with legislation of the Imperial Parliament. (See Imperial Friendly Societies Act, 1897.) No. 13. The Inferior Courts Procedure Act, 1909 : This Act makes further provision for insuring the validity of the judicial proceedings of Inferior Courts, notwithstanding technical or formal errors. " Inferior Court "is defined as: — (a.) A Magistrate's Court. (6.) A Warden's Court. (c.) A Magistrate, Justice of the Peace, Coroner, or Warden in respect of the exercise of any judicial authority conferred upon him by any Act. Ihe purpose of the Act is to simplify the procedure of the Courts affected, and to avoid the miscarriage of justice by reason of purely technical defects. No. 14. The Industrial Schools Amendment Act, 1909 : This Act provides that where, in the opinion of the Minister of Education, an inmate of an industrial school is morally degenerate, application may be made to a Magistrate to extend the period of the detention of that inmate for a further period of four years. On the expiration of such extended period, application may be similarly made for a further extension, and so on from time to time. No. 15. The Native Land Act, 1909: This Act is an amendment and a consolidation of the Native land law of New Zealand, and comes into operation on the 31st day of March, 1910. Upwards of seventy Acts dealing with Native land have been consolidated, and legislation extending over a period of forty years has been brought up to date, inconsistencies of the law have been eradicated, imperfections cured, a.nd doubts as to the interpretation of the old law settled. The Act is divided into twenty-three parts, and contains 441 sections. Amony other things, provision is made or continued with respect to the Native Land Court and the Native Appellate Court, and Maori Land Boards ; customary land (i.e., land vested in the Crown, but held by Natives in accordance with Native custom or usages); the partition and exchange of Native freehold land ; Native succession in accordance with will or upon intestacy; the adoption, marriage, and disabilities of Natives ; the alienation and settlement of Native land; the construction of roads and the making of surveys of Native land ; the licensing and examination of interpreters of the Maori language; financial provisions for the administration of the Act. No. 16. King-country Licenses Act, 1909: Validating Proclamations under section 272 of the Licensing Act, 1908; prohibiting the grant'of licenses in certain areas specified in those Proclamations. No. 17. The Stamp Duties Amendment Act, 1909: Increasing from 1J per cent, to 2J per cent, the rate of duty imposed by the Stamp Duties Act, 1908, upon the gross takings of totalisators; imposing a duty of 2J per cent, on the receipts of racing clubs and other associations for the conduct of horse-racing in respect of payments for admission to the racecourse, or other payments ; and increasing (from 10s. to 15s. per centum) the duty payable on the issue of bank-notes. No. 18. The Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1909: Making various amendments of the Coalmines Act, 1908. No. 19. The Public Works Amendment Act, 1909: Amending in various ways the Public Works Act, 1908.

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No. 20. The New Zealand Society of Accountants Amendment Act, 1909: Extending to the 31st March, 1910, the time for application for registration under the principal Act in respect of qualifications possessed prior to the date of the passing of the principal Act. No. 21. The Customs Duties Amendment Act, 1909: Imposing a surtax (a duty of Customs or excise), being 1 per cent, in the case of tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes, and 2£ per cent, in the case of all other dutiable goods. N<>. 22. The Old-age Pensions Amendment Act, 1909 : Amending the Old-age Pensions Act, 1908, in respect of the mode of computing the value of accumulated property, and of the income derived therefrom. No. 23. Race-meetings Act, 1909: Providing for the issue of licenses to racing clubs, and enacting that horse-racing conducted by other than a licensed racing club, or conducted by such a club otherwise than in accordance with the conditions of its license, shall be illegal. No. 24. The Urewera District Native Reserve Amendment Act, 1909: Amending the Urewera District Native Reserve Act, 1896, in accordance with the provisions of the Native Land Act, 1909. Nil. 25. The Workers' Compensation Amendment Act, 1909: Amending the Workers' Compensation Act, 1908, by removing pneumoconiosis from the list of diseases arising out of employment for which compensation may be claimed. No. 26. The Magistrates' Courts Amendment Act, 1909: Making miscellaneous amendments of the principal Act, as to giving notice in certain cases as to intention to defend; of the particulars required in a statement of claim for goods sold and delivered; and other matters. No. 27. The Gold Duty Amendment Act, 1909: Amending the Gold Duty Act, 1908. No. 28. The Defence Act, 1909: Consolidates and amends the law relating to the internal defence of New Zealand. The principal new feature of this Act is the enactment of a scheme of compulsory military training, applicable to " all male inhabitants of New Zealand who have resided therein for six months, and are British subjects " between the ages of twelve and thirty years. Training to be effected as follows : — (a.) In the Junior Cadets (from twelve to fourteen years). (b.) In the Senior Cadets (from fourteen to eighteen years). (c.) In the General Training Section (from eighteen to twenty-one years). (d.) In the Reserve (from twenty-one to thirty years). For the Junior Cadets there shall be at least fifty-two hours' training in the course of the year; for the Senior Cadets six whole-day drills, twelve half-day drills, and twenty-four night drills, the training to comprise exercises in discipline, elementary military exercises, and also musketry or gunnery; the General Training Section is to undergo fourteen days in training-camp, and twelve half-days, with the exception of the artillery and engineer branches, who have fourteen days' and twenty half-days' training. Two muster parades of the Reserve are to be held every year. Exemption from military services may be granted on the ground of religious objections, but persons exempted may be called upon to perform equal services of a non-combatant nature. No. 29. The Land for Settlements Administration Act, 1909: Making miscellaneous amendments of the Land for Settlements Act, 1908. Among other things the Act provides for the acquisition by purchase or exchange, within twenty miles of any borough having a population of more than 1,000, of lands for the purpose of homes and home-farms for workers. Such land is to be classified as urban, suburban, or rural, and allotments shall not exceed £ acre in the case of urban, 5 acres for suburban, and 10 acres for rural allotments. No. 30. Ihe Reformatory Institutions Act, 1909 : This Act repeals the provisions of the Police Offences Act, 1908, as to habitual drunkards, and makes more extensive and effective provision as to the detention and treatment of habitual inebriates, and of fallen women. Provision is mads for the recognition by the Governor of Inebriates' Homes and of Reformatory Homes conducted by philanthropic institutions, and for the commitment by Magistrates and other judicial officers to those homes of persons coming within the terms of the Act. No. 31. The New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act, 1909: This Act repeals and re-enacts with substantial alterations the Government .Advances to Settlers Act, 1908. A new office, to be known as the New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Office, is constituted, to be administered by a Superintendent to be appointed by, and to hold office during, the pleasure of the Governor. There is also constituted a New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Board, consisting of six persons, for the purpose of carrying out the purposes of the Act. The business of the office is the advancing of money, and is carried on in six separate branches of the office above-mentioned, namely: — (a.) The Advances to Settlers Branch. (b.) The Advances to Workers Branch. (c.) The Advances to Local Authorities Branch. (d.) The Guaranteed Mining Advances Branch. (c.) The Land for Settlements Branch. (/.) The Native Land Settlement Branch. The moneys required for the purposes of the Act may be raised by the Minister of Financo in the name of the Superintendent; they shall be deemed to be a liability of the Superintendent in his corporate capacity, and shall be guaranteed by the Government of New Zealand. The moneys so raised shall constitute a charge upon — (a.) All the assets of the Advances Office. (6.) Land vested in the Crown and subject to the Land for Settlements Act, 1908. (c.) Land vested in the Crown by virtue of purchases made under the authority of the Native Land Act, 1909.

4—A. 1.

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A sinking fund, to be held by the Public Trustee, is established in connection with each branch of the Advances Office, and shall consist of an annual payment of 1 per cent, of the total capital moneys raised and outstanding for the purposes of the particular branch. The other provisions of the Act are mainly a re-enactment with minor alterations of the provisions of the repealed Acts. No. 32. Ihe Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment Act, 1909: This Act makes several amendments in the schemes of superannuation for the Public Service and the Education Service, and merges the Police Provident Fund in the Public Service Superannuation Fund. In view of this merger the Government subsidy is increased by an annual payment of £3,000. Among other matters, provision is made that in certain cases retiring-allowances may be granted after thirty years' service if the contributor is not less than fifty-five years of age, or after thirty-five years' service irrespective of the age of the contributor. It is also provided that, notwithstanding anything in the principal Act, future contributors shall not in any case be entitled to a retiring-allowance exceeding £300 per annum. This latter amendment applies to the Public Service Superannuation Fund, the Teachers' Superannuation Fund, and the Government Railways Superannuation Fund. No. 33. The Rotoiti Validation Act, 1909: This Act validates certain irregular procedure in the matter of taking certain specified land for the purposes of public works, and awards compensation for the land so taken. No. 34. The Railway Authorisation Act, 1909: Authorising the construction of certain railways specified in the Schedule, and providing for the disposal of certain surplus lands now required for railway purposes. No. 35. The Appropriation Act, 1909 : 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 31st day of March, 1910, and to appropriate the supplies granted in this present session. Reserved Act. No. 36. The Shipping and Seamen Amendment Act, 1909: Making various amendments of the Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908. Local and Personal Acts. No. 1. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland Special Powers Act, 1909: This Act authorises the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland to sell, mortgage, exchange, and lease certain lands in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland, as specified in the Schedule. No. 2. Ine Ellesmere Domain Board Empowering Act, L 90 9: Authorising the Ellesmere Domain Board to purchase land for recreation purposes. No. 3. The Wellington (City) Water-supply Loan-moneys Diversion Act, 1000: Authorising the Wellington City Council to apply the sum of £17,000, being pari of a loan borrowed for watersupply purposes at Wainuiomata, for other specified water-supply purposes. No. I. The Borough of South Dunedin Empowering Amendment Act, 1000: Providing that certain authorised works in the South Dunedin Ward of the City of Dunedin shall be a charge upon the City of Dunedin, and payable out of the General Fund of that city. No. 5. The Waimairi County Act, 1909: Constituting the Waimairi County, and altering the boundaries of the Selwyn County accordingly. No. G. The Auckland am! Suburban Drainage Amendment Act, 1900: Amending the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Act, 1908. No. 7. 'Ihe Roman Catholic Archbishop Empowering Act, 1000: Authorising the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Wellington to erect a boarding-school for girls in the City of Wellington, an orphanage for girls at Upper Butt, and certain other schools and buildings in the Wellington Provincial District. No. 8. The McLean Institute Aot, 10(10 : Constituting the Hoard of Governors of the McLean Institute a body corporate under the title of the McLean Institute. No. 0. The Tokomaru Freezing-works Site Act, 1909: Vesting certain Native land—namely, a portion of Tawhiti No. Iα and b portion of Tawhiti No. If Blocks respectively—in the Public Trustee, to be transferred to the Tokomaru Sheep-farmers' Freezing Company (Limited) as a site for freezing-works. No. 10. The Wanganui Roman Catholic Lands Act, 1909: Authorising the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Wellington to raise money for purchasing sites in the Township of Wanganui, for the erection of certain specified buildings. No. 11. The New Plymouth Recreation and Racecourse Reserve Exchange Act, 1909: Authorising an exchange of lands between the New Plymouth Borough Council of the one part, and Arthur Standish, of New Plymouth, solicitor, and William Litchfield Newman, of New Plymouth, accountant, of the other part. No. 12. The Timaru Borough Loans Consolidation Act, 1909: Authorising the consolidation by the Borough of Timaru of certain loans specified in the Schedule. No. 13. The Otago Hospital Board Kaitangata Reserve Vesting Act. 1909: Vesting certain lands specified in the Schedules in the Otago Hospital Board as an endowment for hospital purposes. No. 14. Ihe Taranaki Agricultural Society Empowering Act, 1909: Declaring the Taranaki Agricultural Society to be a leasing authority within the Public Bodies' Leases Act, 1908, in respect of certain land specified in the Schedule.

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No. 15. The Otago Dock Trust Lands Reclamation and Street-widening Act, 1909 : Authorising the reclamation by the Otago Dock Trust of certain lands in Otago Harbour, and also the widening of Macandrew Road. No. 16. The Heathcote Road Board Waterworks Act, 1909 : Empowering the Heathcote Road Board to establish and maintain waterworks. No. 17. The Otago Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1909: Authorising the Otago Harbour Board to raise a loan not exceeding £150,000, for the purpose of the general improvement of the Otago Harbour. No. 18. The Reefton Recreation Reserve Act, 1909 : Closing a portion of a public road, as described in the Schedule, and vesting the same in the Corporation of the County of Inangahua, for recreation purposes. No. 19. The Waipukurau Reserve Act, 1909: Changing the purpose for which the land described in the Schedule was vested in the Waipukurau Town Board, the said land being originally part of a recreation reserve, and to be now used as a public pound. No. 20. The City of Auckland Enabling Act, 1909: Authorising the Corporation of the City of Auckland to convey certain land to the Auckland Fire Board. No. 21. The Auckland City Loans Consolidation and Empowering Act, 1909: Authorising the consolidation of certain loans of the City of Auckland, and providing for the establishment of a sinking fund in respect of certain loans of the said city. No. 22. The Otago Dock Trust Merger Amendment Act, 1909: Amending the Dock Trust Merger Act, 1908, and authorising a loan of £5,000 from the Otago Harbour Board. No. 23. The Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Acts Amendment Act, 1909: Amending in various ways the Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Act, 1900, and the Acts amending the same, and authorising a further loan of £150,000. No. 24. The New Plymouth Harbour Reclamation Act, 1909: Authorising the reclamation by the New Plymouth Harbour Board of certain lands in the New Plymouth Harbour, and vesting those lands as an endowment in the said Board. No. 25. The Wellington (City) Streets Empowering Act, 1909: Authorising the Wellington City Council, by resolution approved by the Governor in Council, to declare certain specified private streets to be public streets, and to agree with the adjoining owners as to the cost of construction, or to recover from those owners not more than half that cost. No. 26. The Gisborne High School Amendment Act, 1909: Vesting certain land in the Gisborne High School Board as a site for school buildings ; vesting certain other land in the said Board for high-school purposes; and vesting certain land by way of exchange in the Auckland School Commissioners as an endowment for the purposes of primary education. No. 27. The Opunake Harbour Amendment Act, 1909: Amending in various ways the Opunake Harbour Act, 1908. No. 28. The Wairoa Harbour Board Empowering and Loans Act, 1909: Authorising the Wairoa Harbour Board to erect harbour-works, and to raise a loan not exceeding £78,000 for that purpose. No. 29. The Masterton Trust Lands Exchange Act, 1909: Authorising the exchange of certain lands between the Masterton Trust Lands Trustees and the Crown. No. 30. The Wanganui School Sites Act, 1909: Authorising the Wanganui Education Board to dispose of certain lands by way of lease, and to borrow money for certain specified educational purposes. No. 31. The Inangahua County Council Empowering Act, 1909: Authorising the Inangahua County Council to contract with the Minister of Railways for the construction of a railway-line from Reefton Railway-station to the Township of Reefton, and to guarantee the maintenance of that line. No. 32. The Tawera County Act, 1909: Constituting the Tawera County, and altering the boundaries of the Selwyn County accordingly. No. 33. The Wairewa County Act, 1909: Constituting the Wairewa County, and altering the boundaries of the Akaroa County accordingly. No. 34. The Kiwitea County Validation Act, 1909 : Validating certain specified acts and omissions of the Kiwitea County Council. No. 35. The Waipara County Act, 1909: Constituting the Waipara County, and altering the boundaries of the Ashley County accordingly. No. 36. The Grey Lynn Domain Vesting Act, 1909 : Vesting certain land in the Corporation of the Borough of Grey Lynn for the purposes of a public domain. No. 37. The Bluff Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1909: Authorising an exchange of certain lands between the Bluff Harbour Board and the Crown. No. 38. The Inglewood Technical School-site Act, 1909: Vesting certain land in the Taranaki Education Board as a site for a technical school. No. 39. The Christchurch District Drainage Act, 1909: Amending the Christchurch District Drainage Act, 1907. No. 40. The Hutt Valley Tramway District Amendment Act, 1909 : Amending in various ways the Hutt Valley Tramway District Act, 1908. No. 41. The' Napier Harbour Board Loan Act, 1909: Authorising the Napier Harbour Board to borrow the sum of £300,000, for the purpose of completing certain harbour-works. No. 42. The Waitara Borough Reserves Vesting Act, 1909: Vesting certain land in the Corporation of the Borough of Waitara as an endowment for the purposes of a public library.

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No. 56. New Zealand, No. 7. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 28th January, 1910. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that my Ministers desire that the Japanese Government may be informed that Ayrshire cattle are purchaseable in this Dominion. 2. I enclose a copy of a memorandum received from my Prime Minister on this subject. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 26th January, 1910. Memorandum (or His Excellene\' the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and begs to acquaint His Excellency that a statement lias appeared in the local papers to the effect that the Japanese are proposing to buy some Ayrshire cattle, and as some (if the New Zealand breeders are in a position to supply animals of this kind, it is thought desirable that this fact should be made known to the Government of Japan. Sir Joseph Ward therefore desires that the Governor will, through the Secretary of State for the Colonies, take the necessary action to enable the Japanese Government to be in possession of this information, and in doing so it might be stated that the prices of good Ayrshire stock in New Zealand are as follows: — Yearling bulls ... ... .... ... ... ... £10 to £20 Two-year-old bulls ... ... ... ... ... ... £15 ~ £30 Two-year-old heifers ... ... ... ... ... £7 ~ £15 Three-year-old heifers in calf ... ... ... ... £10 ~ £20 Young"cows in calf ... ... ... ... ... £12 ~ £25 The time most suitable for shipping from New Zealand would be February or March, the latter for preference. J. G. Ward, Prime Minister.

No. 57. New Zealand, No. 8. My Lord,- Government House, Wellington, 30th January, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 192, of the 29th October, transmitting copies of a revised edition of the regulations concerning the examination of masters ancl mates in the mercantile marine. 2. The New Zealand regulations will be altered, as soon as an opportunity arises, so as to conform to the alterations made by the Board of Trade. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 84.

No. 58. New Zealand, No. 10. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd February, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 205, of the 19th November, on the subject of the proposed Money-order Convention between France and New Zealand. 2. My Ministers will be glad if arrangements may be made for ratification to be exchanged. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 95.

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No. 59. New Zealand, No. 11. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, sth February, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 211, requesting to be supplied with copies of laws relating to merchant shipping and kindred subjects. 2. Three copies of each of the following Acts are forwarded herewith :— Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908. Shipping and Seamen Amendment Act, 1908. Harbours Act, 1908. Harbours Amendment Act, 1908. Fisheries Act, 1908. Fisheries Amendment Act, 1908. Mercantile Law Act, 1908. Immigration Restriction Act, 1908. Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act, 1908. T have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crcwe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 60. New Zealand, No. 12. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 10th February, 1910. I have the honour to inform your lordship thai T propose to leave New Zealand on the 30th May, embarking from Auckland, and, after taking three weeks leave in Australia (my term of office expiring on the 20th June), to return to England. 2. My Ministers have been informed of my intention, which, they state, is quite satisfactory to the New Zealand Government. 3. I shall be glad if you will let me know by telegraph whether this proposal meets with your Lordship's concurrence. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosures. Government House, Wellington, Oth February, 1910. Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. The Governor desires to inform the Prime Minister that His Excellency proposes to leave New Zealiind on Monday, the 30th May, embarking from Auckland, and, after taking three weeks leave in Australia, to return to England. His Excellency's successor will presumably arrive on the 20th June —the date that Lord Plunket's term of office comes to an end. The Governor desires to know whether his Government have any observations to make upon this proposal before transmitting it for the approval of the Secretary of State. An early reply would be appreciated, as His Excellency wishes to send forward the despatch by Friday week's mail (18th instant), and will be leaving Wellington for Collingwood next Monday. PI.UNKET, Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, Oth February, 1910. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Thk Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency, and, in reply to the Governor's memorandum of even date regarding His Excellency's departure from the Dominion, begs to inform the Governor that the proposals contained therein are quite satisfactory to the Government. J. G. Wakd, Prime Minister.

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No. 61. New Zealand, No. 14. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 16th February, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 193, of the 29th October, on the subject of the appointment of Mr. P. E. Davies as Vice-Consul for the Argentine Republic at Wellington. 2. From the enclosed copy of a letter from Mr. Davies it appears that he is not prepared to accept the appointment. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 85.

No. 62. New Zealand, No. 15. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 27th February, 1910. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I duly submitted to my Ministers for their consideration your despatch, No. 179, of the 24th September, in which was enclosed a copy of a note from the Chinese Minister concerning legislation in New Zealand relating to the immigration of Chinese subjects into the Dominion. 2. I herewith forward to you a copy of a memorandum upon this matter, received from my Prime Minister, from which it will be seen that the New Zealand Government are prepared to agree to two of the five modifications suggested by the Chinese Government. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1910, No. 71.

No. 63. New Zealand, No. 16. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 22nd March, 1910. With reference to Mr. Secretary Lyttelton's despatch (general) of the 6th July, 1904 t I have the honour to transmit a copy of a memorandum received from my Prime Minister on the subject of postage rates between New Zealand and French Oceania. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. K. P.O. 10-981(1). Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 18th March, 1910. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and begs to refer to Government House record 412/1904, covering a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies dated the 6th July, 1904, on the subject of postage rates between New Zealand and French Oceania. The Prime Minister would be glad if the question could be re-opened. Since 1904 this Dominion has established another mail route from New Zealand to Tahiti, which, with the original service, provides twenty-two voyages each way per annum at a cost to the Dominion of £8,200. In the meantime it is understood that the rates of postage between France and French Oceania have been reduced below Postal Union rates. Considering the proximity of Tahiti to New Zealand, and the close commercial ties which have been fostered by the action of this Government in subsidising the mail-services referred to, it is hoped that the present may be an opportune time for requesting the French Government to reconsider the question of entering into a reciprocal engagement under which letters between New Zealand and French Oceania may be sent at the minimum rate of Id. (10 centimes), instead of 2£d. (25 centimes'!. J. G. Ward, Prime Minister.

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No. 64. New Zealand, No. 17. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd March, 1910. With reference to your Lordship's despatch, No. 221, of the 17th December, I have the honour to inform you that New Zealand will be represented at the International Prison Congress which is to be held at Washington in October next. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1910, No. 108.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 22nd March, 1910. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and, with reference to despatch No. 221, of the 17th December, 1909, covered by G.H. No. 50/1910, begs to state that the Dominion of New Zealand will be represented at the International Prison Congress to be held at Washington in October, 1910. The Prime Minister will be glad if His Excellency will communicate this to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. J. G. Ward.

No. 65. New Zealand, No. 18. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd March, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 4, of the 6th January, on the subject of the export of prison-made goods from the United States. 2. My Government desire to express their thanks to the British Consul at St. Louis for the information which has been furnished. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—a, 1910, No. 116

No. 66. New Zealand, No. 20. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 25th March, 1910. In reply to your despatch, No; 198, of the 4th November, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that my Government do not propose to be represented at the International Congress on Radiology and Electricity which is to be held at Brussels this year. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 89.

No. 67. New Zealand, No. 21. My Lord, Government House, Wellington, 12th April, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, miscellaneous, of the 26th of January, on the subject of the institution of a general medal for long service and good conduct in the colonial forces of the Empire. 2. In regard to the last paragraph of your despatch, the prohibition of the wearing of the long-service medal together with the meritorious service medal by members of the New Zealand Permanent Force was removed in 1906 (vide Regulation 470 (vii), General Regulations for New Zealand Defence Forces). I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1910, No 125.

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No. 68. New Zealand, No. 22. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 12th April, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 220, of the 17th of December last, on the subject of the proposal of establishing in Downing Street a law library for the use of colonial counsel practising before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. 2. I duly submitted your despatch to my Ministers for their consideration, and have now received a reply from my Prime Minister transmitting a memorandum from the Minister of Justice, a copy of which T enclose herewith. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.- 2, 1910, No. 107.

Enclosure. Enclosure to New Zealand, No. 22. 12th April, 1910, Department (if Justice, Wellington, 18th March, 1910. Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. I return herewith Colonial Office Despatch No. 220, dated 17th December, 1909. I find, on inquiry, that in October, 1905, a complete set of the New Zealand Statutes and a set of the Court of Appeal Law Reports were presented by this Government to the Privy Council Library; and that a complete set of the New Zealand Law Reports was sent by the New Zealand Law Society. You will see from the copies of correspondence attached that these volumes were placed in the library for the use of counsel. I have now given instructions that the annual volumes of statutes from 1905 onwards, together with a set of the Consolidation Statutes, are to be forwarded to the Registrar of the Privy Council for inclusion in the Privy Council Library. The New Zealand Law Society sends the Law Reports as they are published. The annual volume of New Zealand Statutes will be sent year by year. These various publications will, I think, be sufficient for the Privy Council Library so far as the requirements of counsel for New Zealand are concerned. J. G. Findlat.

No. 69. New Zealand, No. 23. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 12th April, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 84, of the 22nd April, 1909, on the subject of the enforcement of arbitration awards, and regret that until now I have not been in a position to send a reply. 2. My Prime Minister has to-day forwarded to me, for transmission to your Lordship, the accompanying copy of a memorandum from the SolicitorGeneral, which contains the information required by the Board of Trade as to the law of New Zealand with reference to the enforcement of submissions to arbitration and of the awards of arbitrators. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 14.

No. 70. New Zealand, No. 24. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 12th April, 1910. In reply to your Lordship's despatch, No. 12, of the 14th January, I have the honour to inform you that the New Zealand Government do not propose to be represented at the International Congress of the Deaf, which is to be held at Colorado Springs next August. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1010, No. 119.

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No. 71. New Zealand, No. 27. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd May, 1910. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that the quantities of gold and silver entered for export from New Zealand for the year ended 31st December, 1909, were 506,371 oz., equal to 15,75026 kilogrammes, valued at £2,006,900; and 1,813,830 oz., equal to 56,41773 kilogrammes, valued at £180,872, respectively. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 25th April, 1910. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his oomplimente to His Excellency, and, in continuation of Memorandum No. 245, of the 25th January, 1909, and in conformity with the request of the Secretary of State for the Colonies in Despatch No. 32/99, of the Bth December, 1898, begs to state that the quantities of gold and silver entered for export from New Zealand for the year ended 31st December, 1909, were ."506,371 oz., equal to 15,750*26 kilogrammes, valued' at £2,006,900; and 1,81 3,830 07.., equal to 56,417-73 kilogrammes, valued at £180,872, respectively. J. G. Ward.

No. 72. New Zealand, No. 28. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd May, 1910. I have the honour to enclose, for your Lordship's consideration, a copy of a memorandum from my Prime Minister on the subject of the distribution of logs of Captain Cook's voyages. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 25th April, 1910. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and desires to acquaint His Excellency that it is alleged that some of the Australian State Governments are applying to the Imperial Government for logs of Captain Cook's voyages. Sir Joseph Ward would be glad if the Governor will represent to the Imperial authorities that in the event of these documents being distributed, New Zealand has claims to a share. J. G. Ward.

No. 73. New Zealand, No. 29 My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd May, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch (miscellaneous) of the 10th of February, and to inform your Lordship that my Ministers have learned with much satisfaction that the title of " Honourable " accorded to Judges of the Supreme Court will be recognised throughout the Empire. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given: printins (1,500 copies), .£lB 10s.

A.—2, 1910, No. 132.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9lo. Price Is.]