A.—No. 1.

No. 39. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 4.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, sth January, 1872. Adverting to my Despatch No. 112, of the 24th November ultimo, and to its enclosures, respecting the Navigator (or Samoa) Islands, I have now the honor to transmit herewith another Ministerial Memorandum, intimating that it is the intention of the Colonial Government to send Mr. Seed, the Secretary and Inspector of Customs in New Zealand, to several of the South Sea Islands and to New Caledonia, with the object of acquiring information respecting the trade that is springing up between those places and this country. 2. In compliance with the request of my Responsible Advisers, I have furnished Mr. Seed with a letter of introduction to the Governor of New Caledonia. 3. I may be permitted to take this opportunity of mentioning that Mr. Webb, of New York, the owner of the steamers now carrying the mail between Australasia and San Erancisco, has lately visited Wellington, and states that the excellent harbour of Pango Pango, in Tutuila (one of the Navigator Islands), would be the most convenient coaling place for those vessels. 4. I may also here observe that a good account of the above-mentioned harbour, and of the Navigator Islands generally, will be found in Chapter VII. of the Journals of the late Lieutenant the Honourable Herbert Meade, R.N., recently published by his brother. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. E. BOWEN.

Memo, by Mr. Vogel, Dec. 23, 1871.

Enclosure in No. 39. Memoeandum by Mr. Vogel. With reference to the Memorandum addressed to His Excellency on the 24th ultimo, relative to the Navigator Islands, Ministers have now the honor to state that they have instructed Mr. W. Seed, Secretary and Inspector of Customs, to proceed to those Islands for the purpose of reporting on them. If circumstances should be favourable for his doing so, Mr. Seed will also visit the Fiji* and New Caledonia, to acquire information in connection with the trade that is springing up between those places and New Zealand. Ministers would therefore feel obliged to His Excellency if he would be good enough to favour Mr. Seed with a letter of introduction to the Governor of New Caledonia. Wellington, 23rd December, 1871. Jtjliits Vogel.

No. 40. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 5.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 6th January, 1872. I have the honor to report that my Responsible Advisers are of opinion that the large amount of public works now undertaken by the Government of _ this Colony, under the sanction of the Legislature, has rendered necessary an addition to the"number of the present Ministry. Accordingly, two Members of the House of Representatives, namely, Mr. John Davies Orrnond and Mr. William Reeves, have been appointed to the Executive Council. 2. Mr. Oraiond, who is one of the Members for Hawke's Bay, will reside in the North Island, and be styled "Minister for Public Works." Mr. Reeves, who is one of the Members for Canterbury, will continue to live, except during the Session, chiefly at Christchurch, and will be stj^led " Resident Minister for the " Middle Island." 3. I hope shortly to forward to your Lordship Papers specifying the railways and other public works which are already in progress, or which will be soon undertaken in New Zealand. 4. Arrangements have, moreover, been begun for the introduction of a large

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DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OE