A.—l

12

Sib,— Chief Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 14th July, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th ultimo, inquiring as to the views of this Government with respect to the proposal of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, communicated in Lord Ripon's despatch to the Governor of New Zealand of the 10th April, 1893, a copy of which was forwarded to the Governor of this colony, to so alter the limits of the Australian station in the Pacific as to embrace the Cook Islands. This Government agrees with the opinion expressed in your letter, that it will be of great convenience, and will strengthen the hands of the British Resident at Rarotonga, if a vessel of the Australian squadron can periodically visit the Cook Islands, and I beg accordingly to intimate their entire concurrence in the proposed alteration of boundaries. I have, &c, The Hon. R. J. Seddon, M.P., Wellington, New Zealand. Thomas Mcllwkaith.

Sir,— Premier's Office, Perth, 17th July, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th June, with reference to Lord Ripon's despatch of the 10th April, 1893, respecting the proposed alteration in the limits of the Australian station so that it will embrace the Cook Islands. In reply, I beg to inform you that this Government concurs in the proposed alteration of the boundaries. I have, &c, The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, New Zealand. John Foeeest.

Sib,— Chief Secretary's Office, Sydney, 12th August, 1893. Referring to your letter of the 6th June last and telegram of the 10th instant, I have the honour to inform you that this Government has no objection to the proposed alteration of the limits of the Australian naval station so as to embrace the Cook Islands. I have, &c, The Hon. the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Geoege R. Dibbs.

(Telegram.) 4th October, 1893. In view of evident urgent desire of New Zealand and assent of other colonies, glad to inform you this Government will not object to proposed alteration of boundaries of Australian naval station. C. C. Kingston, Premier, Adelaide.

No. 16. (No. 47.) My Lobd, — Government House, Wellington, 13th October, 1893. I have the honour to forward, for your Lordship's information, a synopsis prepared by my Solicitor-General of the Acts passed at the fourth session of the eleventh Parliament of New Zealand, and, in doing so, would respectfully beg to direct your attention to paragraph No. 11, on the Banknote Issue Act. I beg to enclose copies of these Acts. I have, &c, GLASGOW. The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure. Synopsis of the Acts passed by the Geneeal Assembly of New Zealand in the Session of Parliament held in the Year 1893. The Public General Statutes. No. 1. The Imprest Supply Act authorises an advance of £258,500 out of the Public Account by way of imprest for the service of the year ending 31st March, 1894, the money to be charged in the manner expressed in the Appropriation Act of the session. No. 2. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 2) anthorises a further advance of £258,500 in the same manner as stated in the above-mentioned Imprest Supply Act. No. 3. The Representation Act Amendment Act, a temporary Act, is repealed by a subsequent Act passed in the late session, the provisions of the former having become unnecessary. No. 4. The Companies Branch Registers Act Amendment Act is a reciprocal enactment similar to the Imperial Act of 52 and 53 Vict., c. 42, sec. 18, acquitting from duty in New Zealand the shares of a deceased shareholder domiciled in the United Kingdom. No. 5. The Cheviot County Act provides for bringing " The Counties Act, 1886," in force actively within the county. No. 6. The Ward Conservation of Rights Act conserves the rights of a Civil servant while temporarily occupying the position of Judge of the Supreme Court. No. 7. The Payment of Members Act Amendment Act provides that the payment to members of both Houses of the General Assembly shall take effect from the date of their appointment or election, and otherwise amends the principal Act in details. No. 8. The Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act 1877 Amendment Act extends the principal Act to poultry, dog, pigeon, and canary associations.