A.—6.

10

(in which respectively any disease in sheep, cattle, horses, swine, or other animals of the same or any other kind or kinds whatsoever, is known to exist), of all sheep, cattle, horses, swine, or other animals of the same or any other kind or kinds whatsoever; or of meat, skins, hides, horns, hoofs, or other parts of any animals; or of hay, straw, fodder, or other articles likely to propagate amongst men or other animals any infectious or contagious disease whatsoever: And whereas at the Intercolonial Conference held at Sydney in the present year it was agreed to prohibit, for a period of two years from and after the publication of a notice in the London Times, the landing of cattle, sheep, and pigs from any places beyond the limits of the Australasian Colonies in any of the Colonies represented at such Conference: And whereas the Government of New Zealand has not published the prescribed notice: Now therefore, I, the Governor of Victoria, with the advice of the Executive Council, do hereby prohibit the introduction from New Zealand into Victoria of all cattle, sheep, and pigs, or of meat, skins, hides, horns, hoofs, or other parts of any animals, or of hay, straw, fodder, or other articles likely to propagate the diseases which the said Intercolonial Conference had it in view to guard against, until such time as the Government of New Zealand shall have issued and published such prescribed notice in the London Times, in accordance with the agreement adopted at the said Intercolonial Conference. Given under my hand and the Seal of the Colony, at Melbourne, this twenty-fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, and in the thirty-seventh year of Her Majesty's reign. (1.5.) G. P. Bowen. By His Excellency's command. J. G. Pbancis, Chief Secretary. God sate the Queen ! ■ The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey, New Zealand, to the Hon. the Chief Seceetaey, Victoria. (No. 141.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Sib,— 22nd November, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 5,001, of the 31st ultimo, in which you explain how, in consequence of the action taken by the Government of New South "Wales, your Government was obliged to prohibit the landing in Victoria of stock from New Zealand without first communicating their intention to do so, and to thank you for the same. I have, &c, The Hon. the Chief Secretary, Victoria. Daniel Pollen. His Excellency Sir James Peegttsson, Bart., to His Excellency Sir G. P. Bowew. Sic, — Government House, New Zealand, 25th November, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that my attention has been called., by my Advisers, to a proclamation issued by your Excellency, and published in the Government Gazette of Victoria on the 24th October, 1873, prohibiting the introduction from New Zealand into Victoria of certain animals and commodities therein mentioned. I am advised that the Act upon which this proclamation purports to be founded is correctly quoted in the recital, and it appears thereby that the powers of prohibition can only be exercised in respect of a country or place in which disease is known to exist amongst animals named. The subsequent recitals do not state this fact expressly or by implication, but, after stating the agreement of the Intercolonial Conference held at Sydney in the present year, as to the prohibition against landing of cattle coming from places beyond the Australasian Colonies for a given period after notice in the Times, and that New Zealand had not given the prescribed notice, the proclamation declares that the animals and articles named shall not be introduced into Victoria until the Government of New Zealand shall have published such notice. I am further advised that the issue of this proclamation is at variance with the Statute ; that the conclusion is not justified by the premises ; and that, until a foundation be laid for the proclamation, by showing the existence of disease amongst animals in New Zealand, it is without the authority of law. I am moved by my Advisers to take such steps as may procure the rescinding of this proclamation, and I feel sure that I can best do so by calling your Excellency's attention to the foregoing statements. I have, &c, James Pebgusson, His Excellency Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G. Governor. i ______ His Excellency Sir G. P. Bowen, to His Excellency Sir James Peegusson, Bart. Sic, — Government Ofiices, Melbourne, 28th January, 1874. I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I lost no time in directing the attention of my Eesponsible Advisers to the Despatch which you addressed to me on the 25th November ultimo, respecting a proclamation published in the Government Gazette of Victoria of the 24th October ultimo, prohibiting the introduction from New Zealand into Victoria of certain animals and commodities therein mentioned. 2. As you are already aware, my official reply has been unavoidably delayed, owing to the intervention of the Christmas holidays, and other circumstances over which I had no control. 3. The enclosed Ministerial Memorandum (2nd January, 1874), which my Responsible Advisers request me to forward, and in which they explain the course of action which they have pursued in the matter referred to, reached my hands in its presents shape only two days ago.