A.—No 1.

Legislative Council, forwarding protests by three Members of that House against an Act passed during the recent Session of the Colonial Parliament, and of which copies are sent by this month's mail with my Despatch No. 121. 2. I annex a Ministerial Memorandum on this question. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Earl the of Kimberley. G. E. BOWEN. Enclosure 1 in No. 35. Speaker of the Legislative Council to His Excellency Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G. See, — Legislative Council, Wellington, 19th October, 187.1. I have the honor to forward to your Excellency, for transmission to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, in accordance with Standing Order of the Legislative Council No. 25, the enclosed Protests by certain Honorable, Members of the Council upon the passing of the Bill intituled " The Carrington Land Grant Act, 1871." I have, &c, His Excellency Sir G. E, Bowen, G.C.M.G. J. Richaedson, Government House, Wellington. Speaker, Legislative Council.

Enclosure 1. Speaker, L.C., to Sir Gr. Bowen, with subenclosures. Enclosure 2. Memo, by Mr. Fox, 4th Hot., 1871.

Vide Journals of L.C., p. 119.

Enclosure 2 in No. 35. Memobaotttm by Mr. Pox. Ik reference to the protest of Messrs. Mantell and ".Russell on the subject of the Carrington Land Grant Act, passed by Parliament during the present Session, Ministers beg to state that that Act gives effect to an arrangement made by the Government with Mr. Carrington for the satisfaction of claims arising out of the non-fulfilment of a sale of land by the New Zealand Company more than thirty years ago. Many Acts of the General and Provincial Legislatures have dealt with analogous cases, but a few have from time to time presented features which required special action. The case of Mr. Carrington was dealt with by a Select Committee of the House of Representatives in 1868, which recommended that it should be arranged between Mr. Carrington and the Government. After long negotiation and inquiries, an arrangement has been made satisfactory to both, which it is proposed to carry into effect by this Act. The Act has been subjected, in each House, to the scrutiny of a Select Committee, and passed the House of Representatives without any, and the Legislative Council without material, opposition. As regards the protest of the Hon. Mr. IVaser, Ministers would observe that the power to satisfy the award out of confiscated lands will only apply after those lands have become the estate of the Crown, and been dealt with by the Government as ordinary waste lands sold by it. Wellington, 4th November, 1871. "William Fox.

No. 36. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kiniberley. (No. 123.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 21st December, 1871. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of two Bills, which have been reserved, by the advice of the Attorney-General of New Zealand, for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon. 2. I annex the report of the Attorney-General. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. E. BOWEN.

Enclosures 1 and 2. Copies of Bills. Enclosure 3. Report of the Attorney - General.

Enclosure 3 in No. 36. Synopsis of Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand in 1871, and which, have been reserved for the signification of the Royal Assent. No. 48. The Convicts Forfeitures Act. This Act has been passed to abolish the forfeiture of lands and goods for treason and felony, and to amend the law relating thereto. The Act is founded on and adopts the provisions of the Act of the Imperial Parliament passed in 1870 for a like purpose (33 and 34 Viet. cap. 23). No. 62. The Coasting Trade Regulation Act provides that foreign ships in the coasting trade are to be subject to the same rules as British ships, but are not to be subject to higher harbour rates, or other dues, &c. The Governor in Council is empowered to restrict the privileges of foreign ships in certain cases, and may impose additional dxities upon them.

39

NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OE STATE.