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A.—l

No. 8. (No. 39.) My Loed,— Wellington, New Zealand, 22nd July, 1890. With reference to your Lordship's circular despatch of the 25th April, 1890, forwarding a regulation drawn up by the Board of Trade relative to the return of cancelled certificates in the mercantile marine, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that the regulation will be adopted in this colony. My Government are, however, desirous to know under what circumstances cancelled certificates are reissued, and what length of service, if any, is required subsequent to the cancellation. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW T .

A.-2,1891, No. 5.

t No. 9. (No. 41.) My Lord, — Wellington, New Zealand, sth August, 1890. 3 With reference to your Lordship's Despatch No. 28, of the 29th May last, respecting the appointment of Mr. John Duncan as Consul for Portugal at Wellington, I have the honour to inform you that I am not aware of any objection to this appointment, and that I have accordingly recognised Mr. Duncan provisionally in that capacity, pending the arrival of the exequatur. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.

A.-2,1891,N0.13

No. 10. (No. 42.) My Loed, — Wellington, New Zealand, 6th August, 1890. With reference to your Lordship's circular despatch of the 29th April last, requesting certain information as to taxation on land and taxation on buildings in this colony, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that it is not possible to supply separate returns of the taxation on lands and buildings, as the rates and taxes are assessed and levied on both together. The answers to your Lordship's questions will therefore run as follows :— Taxation on Land and Buildings. (a.) The percentage on the annual value which the rate levied amounts to ... ... ... ... ... .. 8-77 per cent. (b.) The total amount raised, the total for local and national purposes being stated separately— £ Local ... ... ... ... ... 338,355 National ... ... ... ... ... 192,042 Total ... ... ... ... £530,397 (c.) The percentage which the amount raised by taxation of land and buildings bears to the total taxation ... ... ... 21-23 per cent. I enclose a copy of the Commissioner's report on the results of property assessment for 1888, which may be of use to your Lordship in your inquiry. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.

A.-2, 1891, No. 7.

No. 11. (No. 43.) My Lord, — Wellington, New Zealand, 7th August, 1890. t . With reference to your Lordship's Despatch No. 29, of the 4th June, 1890, respecting the reduction of the duty on currants, I have the honour to report that my Government find themselves unable to reduce the duty in this colony. Before the year 1879 the duty on currants in New Zealand was Id. per pound; but in that year it was raised to 2d. (the present rate) for purposes of revenue. I may mention that the increased duty has been cheerfully paid since 1879, and I would venture respectfully to point out to your Lordship that the

A.-2,1891,N0.14