A.—3.

1881. NEW ZEALAND.

INTERCOLONIAL CONFERENCE HELD AT SYDNEY, MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE, WITH SUBSEQUENT MEMORANDA.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Thursday, 13th January, 1881. first day. Present: New South Wales: The Hon. Sir Heney Paekes, K.C.M.G-., M.P., Colonial Secretary. The Hon. James Watson, M.P., Colonial Treasurer. Victoria: The Hon. Geaham Bebey, M.P., Chief Secretary. The Hon. William M. K. Vale, M.P., Attorney-General. South Australia: The Hon. William Moegan, M.L.C, Chief Secretary. The Hon. Chaeles Mann, Q.C., M.P., Treasurer. • Queensland: The Hon. Aethtjb Hotteb Palmee, M.P., Colonial Secretary. The Hon. Boyd Dunxop Mobehead, M.L.C, Postmaster-General. Tasmania: The Hon. William Eobebt Giblin, M.P., Colonial Treasurer. The Hon. William Mooee, M.L.C, Colonial Secretary. Western Australia: The Hon. Chief Justice Wbenfoedslet, Member of Executive Council. On the motion of Mr. Bebey, seconded by Mr. Moegan, Sir Henry Parkes was called to the Chair. The Conference concurred in the resolution passed in Melbourne that Mr. Webb should continue to act as Secretary to the Conference. The representatives of the several colonies laid on the table their Commissions of appointment. Letters were read — (1.) From Baron von Mueller, on the subject of a further search for Leichardt's remains: (2.) From Dr. G-. A. Tucker, Sydney, in the matter of his visits to Kew and Sunbury Lunatic Asylums: (3.) From the Colonial Secretary, Queensland, in the matter of examinations for Imperial military commissions being held at Sydney : (4.) From the Chief Inspector of Stock of Victoria, recommending that regulations for dealing with sheep coming from other colonies by sea be not altered. Ordered that these letters be dealt with when the respective subjects they refer to are brought under the consideration of the Conference. Sir Hen*ry Pabkes mentioned that a memorial had been addressed to himself and Mr. Watson from a large number of fruit-growers, desiring them to bring under the notice of the Conference the hardship they sustained from the imposition of Customs duties on fruit in its natural state. Mr. Vale mentioned that a memorial had been addressed to him by members of the Bar of Victoria, asking him to bring before the Conference the question of reciprocity between the Bars of New South Wales and Victoria ; but before taking action in the matter he would consult Mr. Wisdom, the Attorney-General for New South Wales, and memtion the matter at a further meeting of the Conference. The Conference deliberated as to the business to be entered upon and the course of future proceedings. The Conference then adjourned until Friday, 14th January, at half-past 10 o'clock a.m. Heney Paekbs, Chairman.

Friday, 14th January, 1881. second day. Present: New South Wales: The Hon. Sir Henry Pabkes, K.C.M.Q-., M.P. The Hon. James Watson, M.P. Victoria: The Hon. G-baham Bebey, M.P. The Hon. William M. K. Vale, M.P. South Australia: The Hon. "William Moegan, M.L.C. The Hon. Chaeles Mann, Q.C., M.P. Queensland: The Hon. Abthuk Htjnteb Palmee, M.P. The Hon. Boyd Dtjnlop Mobehead, M.L.C. Tasmania: The Hon. William Eobebt Giblin, M.P. The Hon. William Mooee, M.L.C. Western Australia : The Hon. Chief Justice Weestokdslet.