J.—No. 1

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF

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sinking funds of certain Provincial loans from the operation of " The Public Debts Sinking Funds Act, 1868." No. 73. The Consolidated Loan Application Act brings three loans of the Province of Wellington, amounting to £72,000, under the operation of " The Consolidated Loan Act, 1867." Two of these loans being raised on mortgage, provision is made for vesting the securities in the Governor. No. 74. The Treasury Bills Regulation Act Amendment Act authorizes the circulation and payment of Treasury Bills in the other Australasian Colonies. No. 75. The Treasury Bills Act, No. 2, authorizes the issue of Treasury Bills to the extent of £150,000. No. 76. The Appropriation Act appropriates out of the Consolidated Fund, for the service of the year ending 30th June, 1870, in addition to the sum of £150,000 applied by " The Imprest Supply Act," a sum of £662,780 18s. sd. It provides for the transfer of a balance of £58,739 3s. Id. from the Public Debts Act Account to the Consolidated Eund Account; and indemnifies the Treasurer for a charge of £105,190 Bs. Id., on the moneys raised under "The New Zealand Loan Act, 1863 ;" for an over expenditure of £406 9s. on account of the fifth division of the Special Fund; for an over expenditure of £8,143 6s. 2d. for the year ending June 30th, 1868; and £16,245 16s. 6d. for the year ending June 30th, 1869.

No. 20. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 119.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 13th September, 1809. With reference to my Despatch No. 118, of even date herewith, I have the honor to transmit a copy of a letter from the Speaker of the Legislative Council, enclosing a protest signed by eleven out of the forty members of that body against "The Joint Stock Companies Amendment Act, 1869" (32 and 33 Victoria, No. 38). 2. My Eesponsible Advisers request me to state that this Act (which was not a Government measure), having been amended in the Legislative Council, became the subject of a compromise, and was finally carried unanimously in the House of Eepresentatives. The Colonial Government see no reason why it should be disallowed. I have, fee., The Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN.

Enclosure in No. 20. Wellington, New Zealand, Sir, — Legislative Council, Ist September, 1869. In accordance with the Standing Order, No. 25, of the Legislative Council, I have the honor to forward to your Excellency, for transmission to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, the enclosed Protest, entered by the Honorable Mr. Mantell and other honorable Members of tho Legislative Council, upon the passing of the Bill intituled " The Joint Stock Companies Amendment Act, 1869." ~ I have, &c, His Excellency Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., &c, J. L. C. Richardson, Government House, Wellington. Speaker.

Vide Journals of the L.0., 1869, p. 135.

No. 21. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 121.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 18th September, 1869. In conformity with the practice established in the Australian Colonies, I have the honor to recommend that the members of the late Ministry of New Zealand, viz., Messrs. Edward William Stafford, William Eitzherbert, John Hall, James Crowe Eichmond, and Colonel Theodore Minet Haultain, may receive Her Majesty's gracious permission to retain the title of " Honorable." 2. Mr. Stafford has been at the head of two Colonial Administrations, and has acted in that capacity for, altogether, about nine years ; while each of his recent colleagues named above, has been a member of the Executive Council for more than three years. I have, fee, The Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN.