A.—2

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record, to refuse your assent to the Land Act of the last session of the New Zealand Parliament. I have, &c, M. E. Hicks Beach. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G, &c.

No. 18. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor, (No. 9.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 15th February, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 63, of the 11th of December, enclosing a copy of your correspondence with Sir George Grey, in reference to the wish of your Ministers to obtain a dissolution of Parliament. I have read this correspondence with the care and attention which the subject demands, and I feel bound to express my dissent from the views which Sir George Grey has advanced, which would seem unduly to limit the prerogative of the Crown. The responsibility, which is a grave one, of deciding whether in any particular case it is right and expedient, having regard to the claims of the respective parties in Parliament, and to the general interests of the colony, that a dissolution should be granted, must, under the Constitution, rest with the Governor. In discharging this responsibility, the Governor will, of course, pay the greatest attention to any representations that may be made to him by those who at the time are his Constitutional Advisers; but, if he should feel himself bound to take the responsibility of not following his Ministers' recommendation, there can, I apprehend, be no doubt that both law and practice empower him to do so. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c, &c.

No. 19. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E.. Hicks Beach to the Officer Administering the Government of Neav Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 15th February, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that, the Government of Honduras having given the notice required in each case, the two following treaties between the Republic of Honduras and Great Britain will expire on the under-mentioned dates :— 1. That of January 6, 1874, relating to extradition, on the 28th instant; and 2. That of August 27, 1856, one of friendship, commerce, and navigation, on the 28th of August next. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 20. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 12.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 25th February, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, accompanied by copies of two despatches from the British Consul at