A.—2a,

22

in his report a summary of the statistics relating to the colonies, such as was given in the 4th volume of the report laid before Parliament in 1873. The Eegistrar-General hopes shortly to be in a position to furnish copies of the householders' schedule adopted for the United Kingdom, which will show the several heads of information desired, when copies will be transmitted to you. In the meantime, I feel assured that your Government will fully recognize the adArantage and importance of taking a census simultaneously throughout the British Empire, and I shall be glad to learn that the necessary preliminary steps in the matter will be taken in the colony under your Government. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of NeAV Zealand.

No. 8. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, G.C.M.G., &c. (New Zealand, No. 2.) Sir,— Downing Street, 6th May, 1880. I have the honor to transmit to you the enclosed order of Her Majesty in Council, assenting to the reserved Bill of the Legislature of New Zealand, 13° Vict., No. 49, entitled " An Act to amend the Law relating to the Administration of the Estates of Deceased Persons," a transcript of which accompanied your Despatch No. 85, of the 20th December last. I have, &c, KIMBEELEY. Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure in No. 8. At the Court, at Windsor, the twentieth day of April, 1880. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Leopold, Lord President, Viscount Cranbrook, Lord John Manners, Mr. Secretary Cross, Sir Stafford Noethcote, Mr. W. H. Smith. Whereas by an Act passed in the session held in the fifteenth and sixteenth years of Her Majesty's reign, entitled "An Act to grant a Representative Constitution to the Colony of New Zealand," it is, amongst other tilings, declared that no Bill which shall be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon shall have any force or authority within the Colony of New Zealand until the Governor of the said colony shall signify, either by speech or message, to the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said colony, or by Proclamation, that such Bill has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and that Her Majesty has been pleased to assent to the same: And whereas a certain Bill, passed by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said colony, " No. 49 of 1879, entitled An Act to amend the Law relating to the Administration of the Estates of Deceased Persons," was presented to the Officer Administering the Government of the said colony for Her Majesty's assent: And whereas the said Bill was reserved by the said officer for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon: And whereas the said Bill so reserved as aforesaid has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and it is expedient that the said Bill should be assented to by Her Majesty: Now, therefore, Her Majesty, in pursuance of the said Act, and in exercise of the power thereby reserved to Her Majesty as aforesaid, doth, by this present Order, by and with the advice of Her Majesty's Privy Council, declare her assent to the said Bill. C. L. Peel.

No. 9. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson, G.C.M.G., &c. (No. 8.) Sir,— Downing Street, 25th May, 1880. I have the honor to transmit to you an extract from a letter from the Registrar of the University of London, together with a sealed packet enclosed therein of questions for a matriculation examination, to be held in New Zealand in connection with the Gilchrist scholarship.