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nies, I have the honour to inform you that the New Zealand Government pays no bounties of this nature. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 28. (No. 8.) Sib, — Government House, Wellington, 13th February, 1899. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—No. 76) dated the 13th December, 1898, relative to the appointment of Count Louis Antoine Marie Joseph Henri de Courte as Vice-consul of France at Wellington, I have the honour to inform you that, after the appointment had been published in the New Zealand Gazette, I had an interview with the Count de Courte. He explained to me that his appointment was that of Consul, not Vice-Consul, and that he was making representations Home regarding the same. I would add that France has been represented in this city by a Consul for many years. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1899, No. 36.

No. 29. (No. 10.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd February, 1899. With reference to your despatch circular, dated the Bth December, 1898, regarding the gold and silver production of this colony, I have the honour to forward you herewith a memorandum from the Minister of Mines bearing on this subject. I have, &c, The Eight. Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1899, No. 37.

Enclosure. (Memorandum 404.) Mines Department, 21st February, 1899. Refeeeing to despatch from the Secretary of State, dated the Bth December, 1898 (No. 32/99), I have to state that there is no means of ascertaining the quantity and value of gold and silver actually produced in the colony, and for statistical purposes generally the quantity and value of these metals entered for export annually has to be taken. The quantity of gold entered for export during the year ending the 31st December, 1897, was 251,644 oz., equal to 7,827-19 kilograms, of the value of £980,203; and of silver, 181,1600z., equal to 5,634-74 kilograms, of the value of £20,586. The quantities and values for the year 1898 being : gold, 280,175 oz., equal to 8,714-62 kilograms, valued at £1,080,691; and silver, 295,246 oz., equal to 9,183-69 kilograms, valued at £33,500. In estimating these values for export purposes, the commercial value has been taken by the Customs Department. A. J. CADMAN, Minister of Mines.

No. 30. (No. 11.) Sib, — Government House, Wellington, 24th February, 1899. : With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—No. 82) dated the j 24th December, 1898, having reference to the issue of an exequatur to enable ] the Hon. Mr. E. Oliver to act as Consul of Belgium at Dunedin: I have the honour to inform you that I am not aware of any objection to this gentleman's appointment, which has been provisionally recognised, and notification thereof has been published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 23rd instant. I have, &c. The Kight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1899 No. 38