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No. 47. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Oeeicer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (No. 19.) Sir, — Downing Street, 18th April, 1879. With reference to my predecessor's circular despatches of the 23rd of August and of the 31st of December, 1877, and to your predecessor's Despatch No. 53, of the 2nd of November last, relative to certain questions preferred by the Society of Agriculture of Algiers on the subject of the Eucalyptus and other Australian trees, I have the honor to transmit to you the accompanying copy of'a despatch from the British Consul-General at Algiers, received through the Eoreign Office, acknowledging the receipt of the detailed information which that despatch has contributed to supply; and I desire to take this opportunity of conveying to your Government the expression of my thanks for the trouble that has been taken in furnishing me with details upon the subject. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 47. Consul-General Playfair to the Foreign Office. (Commercial No. 2.) My Lord, — British Consulate-General, Algiers, 24th March, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Foreign Office Despatch No. 2, of the 17th instant, enclosing copies of the replies made hy the Australian Colonies to the queries proposed by the Society of Agriculture here on the subject of Eucalyptus and other Australian trees. I shall lose no time in forwarding these documents to the Society. They contain a mass of information which cannot fail to be of the greatest service to the colony ; and I have no doubt that the action of Her Majesty's Governmeut in obtaining them will be gratefully appreciated. I have, &c., R. L. Playfair.

No. 48. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson. (No. 20.) Sir, — Downing Street, 18th April, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your predecessor's Despatch No. 5, of the 14th of Eebruary last, informing me that he had made arrangements for his departure from New Zealand on the 20th of that month. I have also received the Despatch of the 21st of Eebruary, No. 6, from Chief justice Prendcrgast, reporting the departure of the Marquis of Normanby, and his assumption of the government of the colony pending your arrival from Sydney. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor Sir Hercules E,obinson, G.C.M.G., &c.

'■■w-f-M-^-r—■^"■--■■^■■■rT--^—""■"''■'-"■I ii ii ii ■ No. 19. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson. (No. 23.) Sir,— Downing Street, 28th April, 1879. With reference to my Despatch No. 46, of the Ist of October last, and to previous correspondence on the subject of certain alleged irregularities in connection with the shipment of sailors in the Australian Colonies, I have the honor