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16. The Stratford County Act creates a new county within the Provincial District of Taranaki ■out of the several counties existing therein. 17. The Epsom and Mount Eden Eeserve Act transfers a lunatic asylum reserve not required for such purpose to the purposes of a blind asylum, recreation, and gravel-pit respectively. 18. The Kaimarama Land Act authorises the extension of certain leases granted to the Mercury Bay Timber Company, in consideration of their surrender of a lease held by them of the Kaimarama land, which is suitable for purposes of settlement. 19. The Horomona Paatu Land-grant Act authorises the grant of certain lands in extinguishment of Paatu's claim to the Aparima reserve, in the County of Wallace. 20. The Valpy Crown Grant Boundary Definition Act fixes a disputed boundary-line on the ■Ocean Beach at Dunedin, and validates titles issued in respect thereof. 21. The Thames Harbour Board Act defines the limits of the Port of Thames, and reconstitutes the Harbour Board thereof. 22. The Gisborne Harbour Act 1884 Amendment Act, to afford relief to the Harbour Board, releases to the Board a portion of loan set aside for sinking fund and interest on the loans of the Board. The Private Acts. 1. The Eornan Catholic Lands Act Extension Act defines the legal status of Soman Catholic Archbishops in relation to Church lands, and their position as " office-bearers " of the said Church. 2. The Church Property Trustees (Canterbury) Indemnity Act indemnifies the trustees for paying property-tax upon the Church Fund property, and authorises such and all similar payments in future.

No. 18. (No. 54.) My Lobd,— 31st October, 1890. With, reference to your Lordship's circular despatch of the 26th August, 1890, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that " The Escheat Act, 1868," with " The Escheat Act Amendment Act, 1870," repealing section 4 of the first named, and substituting other provisions in lieu thereof, contain the whole law of escheat in New Zealand. I have the honour to enclose copies of the above-mentioned Acts. [32 Vict., No. 24 ; 33 and 34 Vict., No. 31.] Section 12 of the Act of 1868 authorises, under sanction of the Imperial Act quoted by your Lordship, the appropriation by the General Assembly of all Crown casual revenues arising in New Zealand other than droits of the Crown and droits of the Admiralty as part of the consolidated revenue of the colony. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.

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No. 19. (No. 55.) My Loed,— Wellington, 31st October, 1890. I have the honour to inform you that I received the following memorandum from the Premier on the 25th instant. I insert memorandum advising appointment of Mr. Moss : —■ Memobandum for His Excellency the Govebnob. Premier's Office, Wellington, 26th October, 1890. Parliament having last session provided a salary for a Eesident at Earotonga, on the understanding that the Government of the colony should nominate a suitable person for the appointment, the Premier has the honour to inform His Excellency that the Government has decided to nominate Mr. Frederick Joseph Moss, of Auckland, late member of the House of Eepresentatives for Parnell. The Premier respectfully requests that the Secretary of State for the Colonies may be informed of this nomination, so that Mr. Moss may be appointed and enter upon his duties at as early a date as possible. H. A. Atkinson. Mr. Moss was some time member for Parnell, one of the suburbs of Auckland, and prior to that filled the office of Provincial Treasurer of Otago. The character of Mr. Moss has always stood high in the estimation of his fellowcolonists, and I consider that the Government of New Zealand have been fortunate in securing the services of so well qualified an individual for a post the emoluments of which are but small. I have already informed your Lordship by telegraph of the recommendation of my Advisers, and have requested your Lordship to take steps to fufil the wishes of my Government at the earliest possible date.

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