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With facts such as these before one, I think that little fear need be entertained as to the future of New Zealand. At the same time, there is no doubt that the debt incurred is a very large one, and that it will, for the time at any rate, necessitate caution ; but, as the productive powers of the railways increase, and the revenue of the country is thus released from the payment of the interest on the debt, I trust that the main lines will be pressed forward with as little delay as is consistent with the caution which is required. There are at present 1,058 miles of railway open for traffic in the two Islands —741 in the South Island and 311 in this Island; and I trust that, before many years have elapsed, through communication will be established from Auckland to Wellington, and from either Nelson or Picton to the Bluff, thus opening out the country from one end of the colony to the other. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. NORMANBY.

No. 10. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 45.) Government House, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 13th September, 1878. I have the honor to forward to you the copy of an Address to Her Majesty which has been passed by the Legislative Council of New Zealand relative to the Congress lately held in Berlin. The Address was passed on the 23rd ultimo, and it was expected that it would have been properly engrossed in time for transmission by this mail; but, unfortunately, there has been some unavoidable delay. I therefore enclose a copy signed by the Speaker of the Council, and I will forward the engrossed copy by next mail. I have, &c. The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. NORMANBY.

No. 11. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 47.) Government House, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 7th October, 1878. In reply to your circular of the sth of June, 1878, I have the honor to inform you that my Goveimment see no reason for desiring that New Zealand should be excluded from the operations of the proposed Treaty between Great Britain and Roumania. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. NORMANBY.

No. 12. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 49.) Government House, Wellington, Sir,— New Zealand, 12th October, 1878. Referring to my despatch by last mail, No. 45, of the 13th September, I have now the honor to enclose the engrossed copy of the Address to Her Majesty, congratulating Her Majesty upon the result of the late Congress at Berlin. You will observe that this copy is signed by the Hon. Major Richmond, the Acting-Speaker of the Council, instead of Sir John Richardson, the Speaker, who I regret to say has been obliged to obtain leave of absence on account of ill health. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. NORMANBY.