A,—2

Sess. 11.—1879. NEW ZEALAND.

HONORS CONFERRED UPON RESIDENTS IN NEW ZEALAND (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of A.-9, 1879.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly l>y Command of His Excellency.

The Seceetaut for the Colonies to His Excellency the Goveenob. Sir, — Colonial Office, Downing Street, 11th September, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 38, of the 15th July last, enclosing letters from Sir George Grey respecting the grant by the Queen of the retention of the title of " Honorable " by retired Judges of the Supreme Court, and the bestowal of honors by Her Majesty on residents in New Zealand. In reply, I have to state that I do not desire to prolong a correspondence resulting from a misapprehension on the part of Sir George Grey, which unfortunately appears to continue to exist, as to the functions and prerogatives of the Sovereign in regard to the grant of honorary distinction in a colony, whether under Eesponsible Government or having any other form of Constitution. The instances to which Sir George Grey specially refers appear to me rather to illustrate the advantage of continuing the practice under which the Secretary of State takes the responsibility of advising the Crown with regard to the respective merits of rival political leaders in a colony. I have, &c., Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson, G.C.M.G., &c. M. E. Hicks Beach.

Authority : George Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington. —1879.

Price Bd.]