A.—2.

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on between the Master of the Mint and the Agent of the colony in London, including packing, freight, insurance, and shipping charges.*''' "7. This bronze coin is now for the first time included in the Regulations, and the colonies using Imperial token coin will in all cases be supplied with such amounts as they require on the mere payment of its nominal value. " 8. I am to request that the Secretary of State, if he approve of the proposed arrangement, will cause copies of the amended Regulations to be sent to the Governors of all colonies using the Imperial system of coinage, and to the s^gents of those Governments in London. " 9. It will be observed that it is not necessary to require that applications for supplies of coin should any longer be made to the Mint through the Colonial Office and the Treasury." " 12. My Lords trust that the Secretary of State will point out to the Governors of the colonies affected by the Regulations that, as the conditions of supply have now been made so favourable, it is incumbent on them to secure that the silver coinage is kept in proper condition by the systematic withdrawal of worn coin."

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 40. Regulations for the Supply of British Silver and Bronze Coinage to the Colonies. New silver and bronze coin (half-crowns, florins, shillings, sixpences, and threepences, and pence, halfpence, and farthings) can be supplied to colonial Governments from the Royal Mint on the following conditions : — 1. On receiving an application from the Agent of the colonial Government in London, the Master of the Mint will cause to be packed, and held to his order, such an amount of silver or bronze coin as may be required on behalf of the colony. 2. The Master of the Mint will undertake the payment of all expenses, including packing, freight, insurance, and shipping charges, connected with the shipment of silver and bronze coin to the port in the colony agreed upon by the Master of the Mint and the Agent of the colony in London. 3. The Agent of the colonial Government will be required to pay to the account of the Master of the Mint at the Bank of England, on or before the delivery of the coin, the sum representing the nominal value of the new silver or bronze coin ordered. 4. The colonial Government will be required to make such arrangements as may he deemed necessary for the withdrawal of worn silver coin from circulation, and to cause the coin so withdrawn to be forwarded to the Mint or one of its branches (at Sydney or Melbourne) for recoinage. The Master of the Mint will defray all expenses, including freight, insurance, and shipping charges, incurred in the transmission of worn coin to London, Sydney, or Melbourne from a port of shipment to be agreed upon by the Master of the Mint, or the Deputy Master at Sydney or Melbourne, and the Agent of the colony. 5. The Imperial Government will pay to the colonial Government or its Agent the nominal value of the worn coin so withdrawn from circulation, as soon as it is received at the Royal Mint or one of its branches. Treasury Chambers, 12th February, 1879.

No. 41. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. Sir, — Downing Street, 4th March, 1879. I have sent you per book post certain parliamentary papers, the titles and number of copies of which are specified below; and I request that you will be good enough to acknowledge their receipt. Title of Paper. No. of Copies. C.-2173. Further Correspondence respecting the Constitutional Question in Victoria .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 C.-2217. Further Correspondence respecting the Constitutional Question in Victoria .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.