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6

Enclosure 2 in No. 2. Mr. M. R. Miller to Mr. P. R. Gordon. Sir,— Napier, 30th June, 1876. I have to hand your letter of oth instant re Prohibition of Importation of Stock from England for a time, till foot-and-mouth disease had sufficiently abated. In reply, I have the pleasure of informing you that several of the provinces of this colony have assumed the power to prohibit importation of any European stock for the future, and, for the past year nearly, the quarantine laws have been so strictly enforced that they have been almost prohibitive. Further, and what is absolutely necessary, a Colonial Act is being prepared, to pass this Session, prohibiting importation to any part of the colony. I was informed by His Honor Sir Donald McLean, who takes a lively interest in this matter, about three months ago, that information had been conveyed to the Agent-General in London that the Government intended to carry this law immediately, so that parties interested would not be tempted to ship stock. I have forwarded to Sir Donald and others interested copy of your letter, which will considerably strengthen immediate action on the subject. A great many of our stock-farmers were in favour of simultaneous action with the other colonies in prohibition measures being adopted in 1874; but still another and influential party could see no danger of infection, after the usual long passage here. However, a powerful reason with many interested for not adopting immediate prohibition was the extreme rivalry existing, not only between various provinces, but of course more keenly by individual breeders competing, to possess and to procure as long as possible the best and most favoured breed of England in long-wools, and also, in a lesser extent, in short-horns. Trusting .these measures referred to will lead to early and useful reciprocity, I am, &c, P. R. Gordon, Esq., Chief Inspector of Stock, M. R. Miller. Brisbane, Queensland.

No. 3. The Hon. Sir D. McLean to Mr. M. R. Miller, Napier. Sir,— Wellington, sth July, 1876. I have to acknowledge receipt of youra of 30th June, enclosing a letter you had received from the Inspector of Stock at Brisbane, and your reply thereto. I have read the correspondence very carefully, and agree with you that it would be beneficial to the interests of stock-owners and the colony generally to pass such an Act as you suggest. I have, &c, M. R. Miller, Esq., Napier. Donald McLean.

No. 4. Answer to Telegram to Mr Nad en of 19th July (vide Minutes). Auckland, 20th July, 1876. About fifteen hundred. Returns are at Kaikoura. Not being compulsory, not quite complete. Will leave here per "Wellington," on Monday next. A. P. Seymour, Chairman, G. Naden, Importation Committee, Wellington. Cattle Inspector.

No. 5. Mr. W. Smith to Mr. L. Harper, M.H.R., Wellington. Sir, — Local Cattle Board, Kaikoura, 22nd August, 1876. I have the honor, by direction of the Local Cattle Board, to forward herewith a memorial from the inhabitants of Kaikoura in reference to the Cattle question, and to beg you to kindly present it as addressed, thereby very much obliging the members of the Local Board and the memorialists. I have, &c, L. Harper, Esq., M.H.R., William Smith, Government Buildings, Wellington. Chairman, Local Cattle Board.

Enclosure 1 in No. 5. Local Cattle Board, Kaikoura, 22nd August, 1876. Memorial of the Inhabitants of Kaikoura to the Importation of Cattle Committee, or the Honorable the House of Representatives, Wellington, praying the first to recommend, or the other to cause, the restriction of the exportation of cattle to be removed from the boundaries of the district, and which the Local Cattle Board was requested, by the unanimous resolution of a numerously-attended public meeting, to forward, if approved of by the said Board. Copy of Memorial signed by the Chairman of the Meeting. To the Chairman and Members of the Importation of Cattle Committee, or the Honorable the Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled at Wellington, in the event of the Committee being dissolved,