A.—2

1877. NEW ZEALAND.

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 2.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 9th January, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches Nos. 51 and 52, of the 20th of October, enclosing a correspondence with Sir George Grey on matters connected with the Act of the New Zealand Legislature "to provide for the abolition of provinces." Your reply appears to me to meet Sir George Grey's objections to your despatch of the 21st of June, and I do not perceive that I can add anything, in reference to this correspondence, to the despatch which I addressed to you on the 18th of September last. I have, &c., CARNARVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G., &c, &c.

No. 2. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 3.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 9th January, 1877. I. have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 54, of the loth of November, in which you inform me that the Abolition of Provinces Act came into force on the Ist of November, and that the transfer of the Provincial establishments to the General Government was made forthwith. I have to express to you the satisfaction with which I have heard that this important change has been effected without any difficulty, and I have no doubt that any supplementary legislation, which may be found necessary after the actual working of the system has been tried, will receive the full and careful consideration of the General Assembly. I have &c, CARNARVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G., &c, &c. I—A. 2.