A.—l.

the Act for determining the emoluments of the successor to His Excellency in the office of Governor of New Zealand. Meanwhile they strongly advise that the Act to amend " The Governor's Salary and Allowances Act, 1873," should be assented to by the Imperial Government. Preiser's Office, Wellington, 4th September, 1888. H. A. Atkinson, Premier.

Telegram to the Secretary of State from the Governor of New Zealand. 18th September, 1888. Government here state impossible to reconsider Bill passed last year for reduction of salary and allowances of next Governor of New Zealand. Despatch left by mail of Bth September.

Telegram from Secretary of State. 30th October, 1888. Your Despatch No. 88 received. I will advise Her Majesty to assent to Bill.

(New Zealand, No. 50.) Sir, — Downing Street, 2nd November, 1888. In my telegram of the 26th ultimo I informed you that I should advise Her Majesty to assent to "The New Zealand Governor's Salary and Allowances " Bill, 1887." 2. The draft Order in Council assenting to the Bill will be submitted to Her Majesty in due course. 3. I can quite understand that, in the present state of the finances of the colony, and bearing in mind the reduction of incomes throughout the Service, there should be a desire on the part of the Government that the emoluments of the Governor should be diminished in proportion. At the same time, it is expedient that the hospitality of Government House, and the practice which former Governors have followed of travelling to visit the various towns, should be subject to like modification, as it would not be reasonable to expect that the Governor should travel or exercise hospitality to the same extent as if the allowances now repealed were granted. 4. I trust, however, that, as soon as the circumstances of New Zealand will allow, the Government of the colony will take steps to restore the emoluments of the Governor to their previous footing. 5. Before this despatch reaches you I hope to be in a position to communicate to you, by telegraph, the name of your successor and the date when he will arrive in the colony. I have, &c, KNUTSFORD. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

(New Zealand, No. 60.) Sir, — Downing Street, 28th November, 1888. With reference to my Despatch No. 50, of the 2nd instant, I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, the Order of Her Majesty in Council assenting to the Bill passed by the Legislature of New Zealand and reserved by you for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure, entitled " An Act to amend 'The Governor's Salary and Allowances Act, 1873,' " a transcript of which was forwarded in your Despatch, No. 6, of the 14th January last. . I have, &c, KNUTSFORD. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

Enclosure. At the Court at Windsor, the 17th day of November, 1888. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, Lord President, Marquess of Lothian, Sir Henry Ponsonby, Mr. Robertson. - . , 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 things, 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

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