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No. 7. His Excellency the Goveenoe to the Hon. the Acting Pbemiee. Wellington, 23rd January, 1891. The Governor has received the information that the Cabinet advise the appointment of Sir H. A. Atkinson to the vacant Speakership of the Legislative Council. If, as the Governor has reason to believe, this recommendation is in accordance with the wishes of Sir H. A. Atkinson, the Governor accepts with unqualified satisfaction the advice to appoint Sir H. A. Atkinson to a post the honourable character of which will be some recognition of a .lifelong devotion to the interests of the colony, both as soldier and senator. Sir H. A. Atkinson is accordingly appointed. Onslow.

No. 2. (No. 6.) My Lobd, — Wellington, New Zealand, 30th January, 1891. I have the honour to transmit herewith copies of the Speech with which, on the 27th instant, I opened the first session of the eleventh Parliament of New Zealand, and of the Addresses in Reply which have been presented to me by the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives respectively. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.

No. 3. (No. 7.) My Lobd, — Wellington, New Zealand, 31st January, 1891. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that at an Executive Council held on the 29th instant I administered the oath of an Executive Councillor to Mr. Alfred Jerome Cadman, M.H.R. for the Thames district, and appointed him to be Commissioner of Stamp Duties. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.

No. 4. (No. 8.) My Lobd, — Wellington, New Zealand, 2nd February, 1891. With reference to your Lordship's Despatch No. 39, of the 29th of August, 1890, I have the honour to report that my Government is not aware that "vessels frequently leave ports in New Zealand overloaded as to deck- " cargoes." Section 223 of "The New Zealand Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1877," as amended by section 2, subsection (3), of the amending Act of 1885, provides that no deck-cargo is to be carried on any steamship (except perishable goods _to a limited extent) without the permission of a surveyor or other officer appointed for the purpose; and my Government has recently appointed officers at all the principal ports to carry out this duty. My Government has requested me at the same time to ask your Lordship to furnish them with any information available as to the practice of the Board of Trade in this matter. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.

41 Vict., No. 54, 49 Vict., No. 15,

No. 5. (No. 9.) My Lobd, — Wellington, New Zealand, 3rd February, 1891. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that on the 31st ultimo I prorogued by Proclamation the first session of the eleventh Parliament of New Zealand. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.