A.—2a

2

AT THE COURT AT BUCKINGHAM PALAOK, The 9th day of September, 1907. PRESENT, THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY IN COUNCIL. WHEREAS a Petition has been addressed to His Majesty by the Members of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives of the Colony of New Zealand praying that His Majesty may be graciously, pleased to take such steps as He may consider necessary in order that the designation of New Zealand may be changed from the "Colony of New Zealand to the " Dominion of New Zealand." And whereas His Majesty has been graciously pleased to grant the prayer of the said Petition. And whereas in pursuance thereof there was this day read at the Board the draft of a Proclamation substituting the title of the Dominion of New Zealand tor that of the Colony of New Zealand as the designation of the said Colony. HIS MAJESTY, having taken the same into consideration, was pleased, by and with the advice of His Privy Council, to approve thereof; and to order, and it is hereby ordered, that the said Proclamation do take effect and come into force upon the 26th day of September, 1907. And the Right Honourable the Earl of Elgin, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary directions herein accordingly. A. W. FITZROY.