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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 distinctions in a colony, whether under responsible 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, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor Sir Hercules E,obinson, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 68. Copy of a DESEATCH from the Bight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson. (No. 18.) Sir, — Downing Street, 12th September, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 15th of July, No. 39, enclosing for my information printed copies of the speech with which on that day you opened the fourth session of the present Earliament of New Zealand. I have, &c., M. e. hicks beach. Governor Sir Hercules E-obinson, G.C.M.G, &c.

No. 69. Copt of a DESEATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, —■ Downing Street, 16th September, 1879. I have the honor to transmit to you copies of the report of the Eoyal Commission on Copyright, together with copies of the minutes of evidence and analysis and index of the evidence, and of a Bill which has been laid before Barliament, and which substantially gives effect to the recommendations of the majority of the Commissioners as far as Her Majesty's Government have felt able to adopt them. 2. It has not been possible to proceed with the Bill during the present session, and Her Majesty's Government desire, before the next meeting of Parliament, to ascertain the views of the colonies upon those parts of the Bill which more particularly affect them. I shall therefore be obliged by your bringing the subject under the consideration of your Government as soon as you can do so. 3. It may be convenient, in the first place, to refer very briefly to those parts of the report of the Eoyal Commission in which the colonies are specially interested, and then to consider how the Bill deals with such questions. 1. I have first to call your attention to paragraphs 50 to 58, inclusive, of the report. It can hardly be doubted that it is desirable to remove the inequality there pointed out, which has given just ground of complaint on the part of colonial authors and publishers. The effect of the recommendation in paragraph 58 will be that the author of a book published in any colony will have Imperial copyright, not only in the United Kingdom, but in all other British possessions; thus obtaining Avhat may be conveniently termed "Imperial copyright," as distinguished from "colonial copyright" — i.e., copyright limited to a single colony or possession. 5. Eassing next to that part of the report which is headed " Colonial Copyright," pages xxx.-xxxvi., it will be seen that, after affirming the recommendation made in paragraph 58, the Commissioners proceed to consider what steps