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pointed out in "The Public Buildings Act, 1874," 1 have to inform your Honor that His Excellency the Governor has not been advised to exercise his power of disallowance with respect to that Act. I have, &c., His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Daniel Pollen.

TARANAKI. No. 8. His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir,— Wellington, 20th August, 1874. I have the honor to transmit herewith parchment copy of the following Ordinance passed by the Provincial Council of Taranaki, which I have assented to on behalf of His Excellency the Governor, viz.:— " An Ordinance to Amend the Branding of Cattle Ordinance, 1865." The delay in forwarding it has arisen from an unforeseen accident. I have, &c, Fred. A. Carrington, Superintendent of Taranaki. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington.

No. 9. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Sir, — • Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 14th September, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 68, of the 20th August, enclosing an Ordinance intituled "An Ordinance to Amend the Branding of Cattle Ordinance, 1865," to which your Honor had assented on behalf of His Excellency the Governor. 2. The Government are advised that this Ordinance should have been reserved by your Honor for the Governor's assent, as it expressly provides by section 9 that its operation is to depend upon that; and as " The Provincial Reserved Bills Act, 1870," does not apply to this Bill, the Government have no option but to advise His Excellency to disallow it. 3. I enclose the New Zealand Gazette containing the usual Proclamation. 4. This Ordinance, which was assented to by your Honor on the 23rd of May, was not received at this office until the 26th of August, being three months and three days after assent. This, your Honor informs me, was the result of an unforeseen accident. I trust your Honor will direct steps to be taken to guard against the recurrence of such an accident, as the 28th Section of the Constitution Act requires Provincial Ordinances to be sent to the Governor " forthwith," and serious complications might arise from laws, which may turn out to be ultra vires, remaining in operation for an indefinite time prior to their disallowance. I have, &c., William H. Reynolds, (in the absence of the Colonial Secretary). His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki.

HAWKE'S BAT. No. 10. His Honor the Superintendent, Hawke's Bay, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Napier, 9th July, 1875. I have the honor to transmit the under-mentioned Acts in duplicate, and trust you will advise His Excellency the Governor to assent to the same: — " The Market Reserves Act, 1875 ;" " The Fencing Act, 1875 ;" " The Licensing Act Amendment Act, 1875 ;" " The Cattle Tresspass Act Amendment Act, 1875 ;" " The Municipality Waterworks Act, 1875 ;" " The Sheep Act Amendment Act, 1875 ;" " Tho Credit Act, 1875 ;" " The Appropriation Act, 1875 ;" and " The Hospital Endowment Act, 1875." I have, &c, J. D. Osmond, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.