A.—2

34

Their Lordships are therefore of opinion that no such question was open upon the facts as detailed, and the finding of the jury is only intelligible on the ground that they supposed that the mere fact of coverture itself furnished legal evidence of compulsion within the rule of law, which view their Lordships are of opinion was entirely erroneous. It is for these reasons that their Lordships have thought it right humbly to advise her Majesty that this appeal should be dismissed.

No. 51. (No. 76.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 13th December, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 61, of the 23rd October, forwarding a copy of the address from the House of Eepresentatives in reply to the speech with which you opened the session of the 23rd September. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1898, No. 14.

No. 52. (No. 78.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 20th December, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches No. 57 and No. 59, of the 23rd October, respecting the differences which have arisen in the Cook Islands between the British Eesident and the General Council. I concur in the views which you share with your Ministers as to the urgency of the matter, and the advisability of independent inquiry, and I have expressed to the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific my approval of his action in complying with your request that Sir Henry Berkeley should be sent to the group to investigate and report on the points in dispute. I shall await with interest Sir Henry's report on the matter. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1898, Nos. 10, 12.

No. 53. (No. 3.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 7th January, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 65a, of the 25th November, reporting the transmission of an address to the Queen from the Arawa Natives, residing at Eotorua. This beautiful address has now been received, and laid before Her Majesty, who was pleased to receive it very graciously, and. to command that her warm thanks should be conveyed to the Arawa Tribe for this kind expression of the loyal devotion to her throne and person. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 54. (No. 5.) My Loed,— Downing Street, 15th January, 1898. With reference to your despatch No. 62, of the 23rd October last, I have the honour to inform you that the address from the children attending the public schools in the Educational District of Auckland, received at this office on the Ist instant, has now been laid before the Queen.