A.—No. 1

ship's predecessor, Earl Granville, wrote as follows : —■" This Report is the most " painstaking, searching, and elaborate that has been received from any Colony. " The Government of New Zealand seems to have been fortunate in being able to " confide this inquiry to gentlemen of so much ability and diligence. You will " be good enough to convey to them the high sense I entertain of the excellence " of their Report." 4. I shall transmit the further information now requested, so soon as I shall receive it from the Colonial Government. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. E. BOWEN.

No. 17. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Boweh, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 99.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, —■ New Zealand, 23rd October, 1871. I have the honor to transmit and to recommend to favourable consideration, the enclosed letter from the present Speaker of the House of Representatives (Mr. Dillon Bell), forwarding a Resolution recently passed 'by the House of Representatives to the effect " That a respectful Address be presented to His Excellency " the Governor, requesting that Her Most Gracious Majesty may be moved to " confer on Sir David Monro, late Speaker of this House, some mark of Her " Majesty's approbation on his retirement from the Chair." 2. It will be seen, from the accompanying Ministerial Memorandum, that I am requested "to inform Her Majesty's Government that it would fulfil the " intention of the House if a seat in the Legislative Council should be offered to " Sir David Monro." 3. The resolution referred to above was proposed by Mr. Eox, the head of the Ministry, seconded by Mr. Stafford, the leader of the Opposition, and carried unanimously. 4. Sir David Monro was an early settler in New Zealand, and has for a lengthened period taken a prominent part in the public affairs of the Colony. As I have already mentioned in my Despatch No. 81, of the 2nd September ultimo, he filled with dignity and efficiency the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives for ten years and during two Parliaments, and lately expressed his wish to retire on account of temporary ill health. It should be added that Sir David Monro has taken an active part alike in the development of the natural resources of the country and in the promotion of science and literature. He was knighted by patent in 1866. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. E. BOWEN. Enclosure 1 in No. 17. Sir, — House of Representatives, Wellington, 4th October, 1871. I have the honor to forward herewith to your Excellency the copy of a respectful Address to your Excellency, passed by the House of Representatives yesterday. I have, &c, Sir G-. F. Bowen, G-.C.M.Q-. F. D. Bell, Speaker.

Enclosure 1. Speaker, H. of E., to Sir GK Bowen, with 1 subenclosure.

Enclosure 2. Memo, by Mr. Pox, 21st Oct., 1871.

Vide Journals of H. of E., 1871, page 149.

Enclosure 2 in No. 17. Memorandum by Mr. Fox. Deferring to a Besolution of the House of Eepresentatives, that an Address should be presented to your Excellency, requesting that your Excellency would be pleased to move Her Majesty the Queen to confer some mark of favour on Sir David Monro, Kt., on his retirement from the Speakership of the House of Representatives, — Ministers beg to advise your Excellency to comply with the request of the House of Representatives, and to inform Her Majesty's G-overnment that it would fulfil the intention of the House if a seat in the Legislative Council should be offered to Sir David Monro. ■Wellington, 21st October, 1871. William Fox.

15

NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.