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tralian Colonies, respecting his original letter ; but the points specified by Mr. Gray, on behalf of the Board of Trade, may be noticed and replied to. These points arc four in number : — (1.) Engaging seamen on board, without proper guarantees that they understand the agreement into which they enter. —In New Zealand all seamen engaged for service in foreign-going vessels have to sign articles before a Customhouse officer. (2.) Depriving seamen of their discharges.—This is not done in New Zealand. (3.) Charging fees for permits. —Since " The Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1877," came into force this has not been done. (4.) Absence of a column in agreements for the amount of wages paid on discharge.—This will be considered, with a view to having the omission rectified. Wellington, sth December, 1879. John Hall.

No. 69. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 84.) Government House, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 19th December, 1879. I have the honor to inform you that I have this day prorogued by Commission the First Session of the Seventh Parliament of New Zealand. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach.

No. 70. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 85.) Government House, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 20th December, 1879. I have the honor to transmit to you copies of all Acts passed by the General Assembly during their late session, together with a synopsis of the same by the Solicitor-General. The Administration Act has been reserved for Her Majesty's assent, as it may affect the estates of persons residing out of the colony. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON, The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach.

Enclosure in No. 70. Synopsis of the Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand in the Second Session of Parliament held in the Year 1879. Note. —The numeration of fclae Acta passed in the aforesaid session is made in continuation of that of the Acts passed in the previous session of the same year. The Public General Statutes. 5. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 1) authorizes an advance of £200,000 out of the Public Account by way of imprest for the service of the year ending 30th June, 1880, the money to be charged in the manner expressed in the Appropriation Act of the session appropriating the same. 6. The Public Revenues Act 1878 Amendment Act is a temporary Act authorizing the issue of deficiency bills as security for a loan of £200,000, in augmentation of the sum of £400,000 authorized so to be borrowed under the original Act. 7. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 2) authorizes, in the same manner as the Imprest Supply Act (No. 1), a further advance of £300,000. 8. The Prisons Act Amendment Act declares all places used as public gaols or prisons at the time of the commencement of " The Prisons Act, 1873,'" to have been duly constituted public gaols or prisons. This Act is passed to remove doubts as to certain places used as prisons having originally been duly proclaimed as public prisons. 9. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 3) authorizes, in the same manner as the Imprest Supply Act (No. 1), a further advance of £300,000. 10. The Elections Validation Act validates the election of certain members of the House of Representatives, and indemnifies them from sitting as such.