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No. 2. (No. 12.) My Lobd, — Government House, Wellington, 17th May, 1893. In reply to your Lordship's circular despatch of the 3rd December, 1892, relative to the admission to membership of the Surveyor's Institution of surveyors holding official appointments in the British colonies, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that my Government desire to express their thanks to the council of the above for its kind offer to make the surveyors of this colony members of their excellent institution on the conditions stated in the memorandum attached to your Lordship's despatch, and, should any officer desire to take advantage of the offer, he will communicate with the institution direct. I have, &c, GLASGOW. The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Kipon, G.C.M.G., &o.

A.-2, 1893, No. '61.

No. 3. (No. 14.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 16th May, 1893. It is my painful duty to inform your Lordship of the death of the late Premier of this colony, the Hon. John Ballance, which occurred on the 27th April, from malignant stricture of the bowels, after an illness of many weeks, during which time he exhibited great fortitude and patience, and carried on his duties with little intermission almost to the very last. On learning that all was over, I requested the Acting-Premier, the Hon. Eichard Seddon, to carry on the duties of the Government, with his colleagues, until the formation of a new Ministry. The funeral took place on Sunday, the 30th April, and on Monday morning, the Ist May, I sent for Mr. Seddon, and told him that under the circumstances I thought it right to ask him to consult the Cabinet as to whom they advised me to send for in order to form the new Ministry, which he undertook to do. In the evening Mr. Seddon returned and informed me that the Cabinet were unanimous in recommending me to ask him (Mr. Seddon) to form the new Cabinet, which I did, and an hour afterwards he brought the whole of the members of the late Ministry to me, including the Hon. J. G. Ward, who was an extra and unpaid member of it, to be sworn in as members of the Executive Council, in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution. Mr. Seddon thereafter handed me a list, which is as follows : — The Honourable Eichard John Seddon to be Premier, Minister for Public Works, Minister of Mines, and Minister of Defence; The Honourable Sir Patrick Alphonsus Buckley, K.C.M.G., to be AttorneyGeneral, Colonial Secretary, and Minister of Marine ; The Honourable William Pember Eeeves to be Minister of Education, Commissioner of Stamp Duties, and Minister of Labour ; The Honourable John McKenzie to be Minister of Lands and Immigration, Minister of Agriculture, and Commissioner of Forests ; The Honourable Joseph George Ward to be Colonial Treasurer, PostmasterGeneral, Electric Telegraph Commissioner, and Commissioner of Customs ; The Honourable Alfred Jerome Cadman to be Minister of Justice and Minister of Native Affairs; The Honourable James Carroll (without portfolio) representing the Native race. I have, &c, GLASGOW. The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 4. (No. 16.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, sth June, 1893. In reply to your despatch (circular of the 17th March, 1893) respecting the operation of the liquor-laws in the colonies, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that no alteration of the licensing-laws have been made in this colony since the Colonial Office received my predecessor's despatches (Nos. 24 and 25 of the 17th and 23rd May, 1890).

A.-2,1894, No. 5.