B.—No. 4.

6

PAPERS RELATIVE TO

export has now reached the amount of £2,700,000 per annum, and that according to the reports of eminent geologists the gold fields of New Zealand have not yet reached their full development, it is submitted — 1. That arrangements should be adopted by which returns of importations of gold from New Zealand, published in England on the authority of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Customs, should show the quantity of gold produced in New Zealand, but sent to Australia for shipment to England, and now classed on its arrival in London, by the Custom House authorities, as Australian produce. Copy of a Memorandum of Ministers in New Zealand, referring to this subject, dated 7th November, 1867, is appended. 2. That a branch of the Boyal Mint should be established in New Zealand, with the same privileges as those secured to the Colony of New South Wales, by making the coinage a legal tender, upon the Colony complying with the usual requirements. 21 Cockspur Street, S.W., 25th November, 1868. William Fitzhekbeet.

Enclosure No. 2. Sir F. Booees to the Hon. W. Fitzheebeet. Sic, — Downing Street, 18th December, 1868. I am directed by the Secretary of State to acknowledge your Memorandum of the 26th ultimo. With reference to the first part of the Memorandum, relating to the exportation of gold, I am desired to enclose, for your information, a copy of a report from the Commissioners of Customs, which was forwarded to this department by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, in July last. This report was communicated to Governor Sir George Grey. With regard to your suggestion that a branch of the Boyal Mint should be established in New Zealand, I am desired to inform you that the Secretary of State has requested the Lords of the Treasury to place you in direct communication with the proper officer of their department. I have, &c, The Hon. W. Fitzherbert. Feedeeic Booees.

(No. 375.) To the Loeds Commissionees of Her Majesty's Teeasuex. Toue Lordships having referred to us the annexed letter from Sir Frederic Eogers, dated Bth instant, transmitting, by desire of the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, copy of a Despatch from the Governor of New Zealand, enclosing a Memorandum by his Besponsible Advisers drawing attention to the discrepancy between the Beturns of the Importation of Gold into this country from New Zealand which are published in England by the Board, and those published by the Colonial Government. We report, that the discrepancy between the account of gold imported into this country from New Zealand as published under the authority of this Board, and the account of gold exported from New Zealand to this country as published by the Colonial Government of that Colony, is explained by the fact that much of the gold obtained in New Zealand does not come directly from that Colony to this country, but is shipped from New Zealand to Australia and brought from thence to this country; and as all foreign imports into this country can only be recorded in the books of this department as being imported from the port and country abroad at which they have been shipped for the United Kingdom, gold, the produce of New Zealand, coming to this country through Australia, can only be classified and treated as gold from Australia, as stated in the annexed Despatch from the Governor of New Zealand. We are unable to suggest the adoption of any course whereby the discrepancy in the returns referred to may be obviated. J. GoTTLBITEN, Custom House, 16th July, 1867. B. W. Gebt.

Enclosure No. 3. Memoeandum for the Seceetaet of State for the Colonies. Defence. Thebe are certain lands held by the Ordnance Department as sites for barracks and other defence purposes, as enumerated in the annexed schedule. These were granted gratuitously, and it is submitted that, if the troops arc to be withdrawn and the Colony left to its own resources, these sites should revert to the Colony ; and that, as the Imperial Government has had the free use of them for so long a period, they should be reconveyed to the Colony, without any demand being made for the buildings which have been erected thereon —the Colony undertaking to provide accommodation for any Imperial Troops or stores which might at any future time be required. The Colony is naturally anxious to know what assistance it may expect to receive towards the protection of the principal seaport towns from external enemies. Victoria, which has spent within the last ten years scarcely £900,000 for her own protection, and maintains only 3,000 Volunteers, is to receive an armour-plated ship costing £125,000, of which £25,000 only, with cost of armament, is to be contributed by the Colony. A wooden line-of-battle ship complete, with necessary stores (but not including guns), is further to be given to her as a blockship, and as a training ship for a local naval force.