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No. 13. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 51.) Government House, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 2nd Novejuber, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that I have this day prorogued, by Commission, the Third Session of the Sixth Parliament of New Zealand. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. NORMANBY.

No. 14. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 53.) Governrnejit House, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 2nd November, 1878. In reply to your predecessor's circular of the 31st December, 1877, enclosing a series of questions respecting Australian trees, which have been drawn up by the Society of Agriculture of Algiers, I have now r the honor to forward to you the information required, as far as they relate to trees indigenous to this colony. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. NORMANBY.

No. 15. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 54.) Government House, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 3rd November, 1878. I have much pleasure in enclosing the copy of a memorandum which has been forwarded to me by Sir George Grey, by which you will see I am requested to bring under your notice the gallant conduct of William Jenkins, and to request that you will bo good enough to submit his name, together with the names of those who assisted him, under the consideration of the Royal Humane Society. You will not fail to observe that twice within the short period of a few weeks this gallant old man has been instrumental in saving life from shipwreck, at considerable risk to his own life —first, in the instance of the "Felixstowe," when he succeeded in rescuing Mrs. Piggott, the wife of the captain of that ship, her husband being drowned at the time by the upsetting of another boat; and, secondly, in the case of the " City of Auckland," aii emigrant ship, which unfortunately went on. shore near the same spot on the 23rd of last month, when by his skill and gallantry he was instrumental in saving the lives of over one hundred women and children. From all I have heard of the case it is one which is well deserving the consideration of the Royal Humane Society, and I trust that they may see fit to mark their approbation of such gallant conduct, not only on the part of Mr. Jenkins, but also of those who so nobly seconded him in his humane and dangerous enterprise. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. NORMANBY.

Enclosure in No. 15. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier has the honor to transmit to His Excellency the Governor copy of a letter and an enclosure thereto, which he has received from the Speaker of the House of Representatives^