DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1895 Session I, A-01

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1895. NEW ZEALAND.

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

INDEX.

No. 1. (No. 35.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 7th August, 1894. I have the honour to forward for your Lordship's information the papers named below, sent to me by the British Eesident at Rarotonga, Cook Islands :— 1. Address of Government on opening of Parliament, 1894. 2. Address and reply on visit of Governor of New Zealand, 29th March, 1894. 3. Two Messages from Government to Parliament. Copies of these papers have been sent also to my Government. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies. [For enclosures see A.-3, 1895, No. I.]

No. 2. (No. 39.) Mt Lobd, — Government House, Wellington, 3rd September, 1894. I have the honour to inform you, in reply to your despatch (New Zea- A ._ 2> I g 9 § ! land, No. 27) dated the 22nd June, 1894, that my Government do not desire to No. i, I—A. 1.

No. of Series. Date. Subject. Page. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 .15 16 17 18 7 Aug., 1894 .. 3 Sept., „ 1 Sept., „ .. 20 Sept., „ .. 18 Oct., „ .. 12 Nov., 29 Nov., 29 Nov., 28 Nov., 4 Dec, „ .. 4 Deo., 22 Dee., „ .. 4 Mar., 1895 .. 2 April, „ 16 April, „ 16 April, „ 16 April, 16 April, Cook Islands No opening for Irish-cured mackerel.. Copyright convention, Austria-Hungary Position of British Eesident, Cook Islands Divorces granted in New Zealand " Native Lands Court Act, 1894," assented to .. Martini-Henry rifles Volunteer service medals Public Trust Office English " Finance Act, 1894," extension to New Zoaland Synopsis of Acts, 1894 Foreign Consuls should be subjects of States represented Visit to Auckland and other Islands Gorse for fodder "Coinage Act, 1870" Distinction for saving human life Colonel Fox appointed Military Adviser English " Uniforms Act, 1894" 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 10 10 15 15 15 16 16

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encourage the introduction of foreign-cured fish of any description into this colony, and consequently there is no opening for Irish-cured mackerel here. The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 3. (No. 40.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, Ist September, 1894. In reply to your circular despatch dated sth June, 1894, I have the honour to inform you that my Government desire that the Convention and Order in Council therein mentioned should be applied to this colony. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2,1895 No. 2.

No. 4. . (No. 44.) My Loed, — Government House, 20th September, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch (New Zealand, No. 29) dated 27th June, in reply to mine of 26th December (No. 61), with regard to the position of the Cook Group of Islands, &c. In compliance with your request, I have the honour to inform you that I have communicated with my Ministers with regard to the reply to be made to your Lordship's inquiry, if the Government of New Zealand would continue to defray the expense of the Eesident's salary, in the event of the control of the British Eesident at Earotonga being transferred to the High Commissioner. The view held by my Ministers on this question will be found by your Lordship in my Premier's Memorandum No. 68, dated 6th September, a copy of which I have the honour to enclose. Your Lordship will observe that my Ministers express the opinion that the colony prefers to have the islands annexed. With regard to this assertion, made as it is by the Eesponsible Ministers of the colony, I do not think that I am called upon to express my views, and I therefore transmit the memorandum to your Lordship without comment; but I take leave respectfully to remark that, as far as I have been able to form an opinion, if the result ofthe refusal of my Government to pay the salary is the discontinuance of the appointment of Eesident in those islands, it would be at once a misfortune for the group and a blow to British influence in the South Pacific. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Downing Street, London.

A.-2,1895, No. 8.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. (No. 68.) Premier's Office, Wellington, 6th September, 1894. The Premier begs to return the despatch No. 29, of the 27th June, from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and, with reference to the last paragraph, to remark that by this time Lord Eipon will have gathered from the Premier's Memorandum No. 64, of the 24th July last, that there had been a misunderstanding between His Excellency and Ministers as to the transference of the control of the British Eesident to the High Commissioner. Ministers consider that the position of the Eesident should be defined by the Imperial Government without any formal statement from Ministers on the subject, other than that embodied in the correspondence of which the memorandum above referred forms a part. The Premier has only to add that this colony prefers to have the islands annexed. If, however, the complete control is assumed by the Imperial Government, this Government declines to continue to defray the expense of the Eesident's salary. E. J. Seddon.

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No. 5. (No. 53.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 18th October, 1894. In reply to your circular despatch, dated 25th August, 1894, I have the honour to forward a return from my Government, showing the number of divorces granted in this colony during the past ten years. The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies. Enclosure. Eetuen of Divoeces granted in the Colony of New Zealand during the past Ten Years, 1893 ... ... ... 25 1888 ... ... ... 32 1892 ... ... ... 18 1887 ... ... ... 16 1891 ... ... ... 20 1886 ... ... .. 24 1890 ... ... ... 21 1885 ... ... ... 19 1889 17 1884 16

No. 6. (No. 60.) My Loed,— Government House, Wellington, 12th November, 1894. In accordance with the usual practice with regard to exceptional Bills, I have the honour to report that I have consented to " The Native Lands Court Act, 1894," a copy of which I hereby enclose. As in this Bill the right of preemption of Native lands on the part of the Crown is unusual, I had at first some doubts as to whether it should not be reserved for Her Majesty's assent. My reasons were that, while in the Treaty of Waitangi the pre-emptive right was the most important part of the treaty with the Natives under which they acknowledge the sovereignty of the Crown, the Bill which abrogated that right in 1862 was so reserved, and therefore it seemed to me that any resumption of that right should in the same way be also reserved. The enclosed memoranda from the Premier and the Attorney-General will, I trust, satisfy your Lordship that I was justified in giving my assent to this Bill. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies..

Enclosure. Memobandum for His Excellency the Goveenoe. (No. 91.) 2nd November, 1894. The Premier presents his compliments and begs to inform His Excellency, in reference to inquiries as to whether the Act renouncing the pre-emptive right over Native lands was reserved for Her Majesty's assent, that the Act of 1862 renouncing the pre-emptive right was referred for Her Majesty's assent. As previously intimated to His Excellency, the Act of 1865 and the Act of 1873 were not reserved, nor have any other Acts dealing with Native lands and Native matters, since 1862, been reserved for Her Majesty's assent. The principal Act dealing with this question is the Native Land Act of 1873. The Imperial Parliament passed an Act, 26 Vict., capt. 48, in which it was enacted that under section 8 it should be lawful for the Assembly to repeal any of the provisions contained in section 73 of the Constitution Act; and under "The Native Land Act, 1873," section 4, the 73rd section of the Constitution Act was repealed. Many Acts have been passed since 1862 dealing with Native lands, and the Crown, by proclamation over particular blocks of land, practically resumed the pre-emptive right, and placed other restrictions preventing alienation by the Natives. The Premier forwards herewith a memorandum prepared by the Attorney-General on the subject of the legislation of the New Zealand Parliament on Native matters, a perusal of which, the Premier respectfully ventures to hope, will remove any doubt which His Excellency may have entertained with respect to the course he took in assenting to the Native Land Court Act of last session. . E. J. Sedpon.

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Sub-enclosure. Memobandum for the Hon. the Peemiee. Attorney-General's Office, Wellington, 2nd November, 1894. Eefeeeing to our conversation of yesterday, in which you informed me that His Excellency the Governor entertains doubts as to whether he should not have referred the Native Land Court Act of this session (1894) for Her Majesty's assent. I am at a loss to understand the reason of any such doubts existing in His Excellency's mind. Perhaps it would be as well to point out the exact position. In the year 1858 an Act, known as the Native Territorial Eights Act, was passed by this Legislature, and reserved for Her Majesty's assent. This was disallowed, for the 'reasons stated in a despatch addressed to the then Governor by Lord Carnarvon, on the 18th May, 1859. This despatch will be found in the Appendices to the Journals of the House of Bepresentatives, 1860, A.-4, page 26; and Ministers' memoranda on the subject will be found in the same Appendices, E.-l, pages 4 to 11 and 15 to 19. Again, in 1862 the Legislature passed an Act, known as the Native Lands Act, which had for its object the establishment of a Court to ascertain the Natives' titles to their lands, to enable them to individualise them, and it empowered them to sell to other persons than Her Majesty, in direct opposition to the provisions of the Treaty of Waitangi and section 73 of the Constitution Act. This was also reserved for Her Majesty's assent, and was allowed. (See Appendices, 1863, A.-l, pages 7 to 13, and despatch from the Secretary of State on page 24 of the same paper.) Prior to the receipt of the Act of 1862 by the Secretary of State, the Imperial Parliament passed an Act, 25 and 26 Vict., cap. 48, by which it was enacted under section 8 that it should be lawful for the General Assembly to alter or repeal all or any of the provisions contained in the said section 73 ; and it further enacted that no Act passed by the General Assembly, nor any part of such Act, should be or be deemed to have been invalid by reason of the same being repugnant to any of the said provisions. Again, in 1873 the General Assembly passed the Native Land Act, section 4 of which, inter alia, repealed the 73rd section of the Constitution Act, in conformity with the provisions of the Imperial Act last mentioned. This Act was not reserved for Her Majesty's assent, nor has any Native land legislation been referred since that time. I would state generally that on the removal of the troops from New Zealand, after the war, the entire control of Native affairs was handed over by the Governor to Ministers ; and since that time several Acts of the General Assembly, of a more or less restrictive character, have been passed dealing with Native matters, none of which have been referred for Her Majesty's assent. The present Act in no way conflicts with English law, and in no way violates the Treaty of Waitangi, and takes away no Native rights which the Imperial authorities have not already sanctioned. P. A. Buckley, Attorney-General.

No. 7. (No. 63.) My Loed,- — Government House, Wellington, 29th November, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge yours of the sth September enclosing one despatch, dated War Office, 29th August last, referring to the supply of Martini-Henry rifles by the War Office to the New Zealand Government; but in connection therewith I now beg, at the desire of my Government, to point out the great disadvantage under which a Colonial Government must necessarily be placed in purchasing arms and warlike stores in the Home markets. My Government ventures to hope that the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for War may be pleased, under the pressing circumstances of the case, to wire the necessary instructions for the supply to my Government at once, at vocabulary rates, from the War Office stores, of four thousand Martini-Henry rifles, with bayonets and scabbards complete, and one thousand Martini-Henry unused cavalry carbines, both mark III.; and that, in view of the fact that my Government do not feel justified in spending more than £5,000 per annum on small arms, that he will allow payment to be made at the rate of ,£5,000 per annum until the debt is liquidated. In order that the views of my Government may be fully understood, I have the honour to enclose a copy of the memorandum I have received from my Premier on the subject. I have, &c, GLASGOW. The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A. -% 1895. No. 14.

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No. 8. , (No. 64.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 29th November, 1894. In reply to the circular dated Downing Street, the 23rd August last, A,-2,1895 relative to the subject of this letter, I have now the honour of forwarding here- No ' n ' with a copy of the suggested regulations to guard the issue of the Imperial distinguished conduct, meritorious service, and other medals to the colonial local forces, and I beg that your Lordship will be pleased to submit the same for the favourable consideration of the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for War. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 9. (No. 65.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 28th November, 1894. I have the honour to enclose, in reply to your despatch (New Zealand, a.-2, iB9s, No. 42), copies in duplicate of the Acts, regulations, &c, regarding the Public No - 13 - Trust Office in this colony, also copies in duplicate of three special Acts relating to two Trustee and Agency Companies which are in active operation in this colony. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 10. (No. 67.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 4th December, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's circular despatch of the 10th September, 1894, transmitting a copy of the Finance Act (57 and 58, Vict., cap. 30), section 20 of which relates to British Possessions. Having communicated with my Government on the subject, I now, by their advice, beg to request that Her Majesty may be pleased, by Order in Council, to apply section 20 to this colony. In support of this application, I have now the honour to forward for your consideration copies of the Deceased Persons' Estates Duties Act, New Zealand, with amendment thereto, and beg to refer your Lordship to section 8 of the Act of 1881, from which it will be seen that in that Act provision is made for the levying of death duties upon real and personal estate in this colony only. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 11. (No. 69.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 4th December, 1894. I have the honour to forward herewith a synopsis of the Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand in the session of Parliament held in the year 1894, with copies ofthe said Acts, for your Lordship's information. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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Enclosure. Synopsis of the Acts passed by the Geneeae Assembly of New Zealand in the Session of Parliament held in the Year 1894. The Public General Statutes. No. 1. The Imprest Supply Act authorises an advance of £278,500 out of the Public Account for the service of the year ending 31st March, 1895 ; the money to be charged in the manner expressed in the Appropriation Act of the session. No. 2. The Bank of New Zealand Share Guarantee Act authorises the Bank to increase its capital by the issue of preferential shares to an amount not exceeding two million pounds sterling, such shares and the dividends thereon being guaranteed by the colony. It requires the directors, on the request of the Colonial Treasurer, to call up £500,000 of the reserve capital. The Act provides for the removal of the headquarters to Wellington, with a new Board of Directors to be elected, and the President and Auditor of the Bank to be appointed by the Governor of the Colony in Council. No. 3. The Bank-note Issue Act 1893 Amendment Act extends for a further period of twelve months the operation of Part 11. of the principal Act. No. 4. The Bank Shareholders Act empowers the directors of any bank to decline to register any transfer of shares to any person of whose responsibility they are not satisfied. (This Act is virtually superseded by Act No. 6, below mentioned.) No. 5. The Bank of New Zealand Share Guarantee Act 1894 Amendment Act amends the foregoing Act No. 2, by authorising the issue of bank stock in the place of the bank shares mentioned in the principal Act. No. 6. The Bank Directors and Shares Transfer Act provides that the liability of a transferer of bank shares shall not cease on executing the transfer, but only on approval of the transfer by the directors, and gives them power to decline the transfer without assigning a reason. The Act also fixes the number of directors of all banks at not less than five nor more than seven. No. 7. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 2) authorises a further advance of £258,500 in the same manner as stated in the above-mentioned Imprest Supply Act (No. 1). No. 8. The Land-tax Act fixes the amount of the land-tax to be levied, and the mode of collecting the same, in respect of the financial year commencing on the Ist April, 1894. No. 9. The Lunatics Act Amendment Act provides that Official Visitors of lunatic asylums need not be Justices of the Peace. No. 10. The Light and Air Act declares section 3 of " The Prescription Act, 1832 " (Imperial), to be no longer in force in the colony; as inapplicable thereto, and makes certain provision as to the right of access of light and air to land and buildings. No. 11. The Taonui Branch Eailway Act authorises the closing and abandonment of a forest branch railway which has served its purpose. No. 12. The Auctioneers Act Amendment Act extends the definition of " sales by auction " and " outcry," in order to prevent evasions of the principal Act. No. 13. The Conspiracy Law Amendment Act provides that a combination of persons to do any act which would not be unlawful if done by one person shall not be deemed to be conspiracy, and repeals as within the colony the 5 Eliz., cap. 4, the 12 Geo. 1., cap., 34, and the 6 Geo. IV., cap. 129. No. 14. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act provides a system of registration of industrial unions and associations, the establishment of Boards of Conciliation for settlement of industrial disputes between employers and employes, and, failing such settlement, a Court of Arbitration, to which matters in difference may be referred, and which may make an award thereon, and enforce such award. No. 15. The Companies' Accounts Audit Act provides for the audit, by the Audit Department of the colony, of the accounts of any company or mining company on petition by majority of the shareholders of such company to the Governor. No. 16. The Married Women's Property Act amends the principal Act to the same effect as is done in the Imperial Act, 56 and 57 Vict., c. 63. No. 17. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 3) authorises a further advance of £308,500 in the same manner as stated in the above-mentioned Imprest Supply Act (No. 1). No. 18. The Middle District of New Zealand University College Act provides for the establishment of a University College in Wellington for the benefit of residents in Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, and Marlborough Provincial Districts. No. 19. The Designation of Districts Act empowers the Governor to alter the names of any district or place, so as to avoid duplication, similarity, or unfitness of names. No. 20. The Gaming Act provides that money arising from gaming transactions shall not be recoverable at law, makes it penal to bet or induce any infant to bet, and further regulates the use of the totalisator. No. 21. The Oaths Act Amendment Act permits the use of the Scotch form of oath, and provides that children under twelve may make a declaration in lieu of being sworn. No. 22. The Destitute Persons Act consolidates the law relating to destitute persons, illegitimate children, and deserted wives and children, makes provision for intercolonial reciprocity in the surrender of runaway husbands, and enacts from the English statute, 41 Vict., c. 19, the provisions of section 4 thereof, to enable a Magistrate to make an order that a wife shall not be bound to cohabit with a husband who has been guilty of an aggravated assault upon her. No. 23. The New Zealand Company's Land Claimants Act 1892 Amendment Act extends the operation of the principal Act for a further period of two years.

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No. 24. The Eating Act consolidates and amends the laws relating to the rating of property on its annual or capital value respectively, and provides one machinery for the assessment of property, and the collection and recovery of rates under either system. The Act does not alter the existing law as to rating the property of Natives. No. 25. The Inspection of Machinery Amendment Act provides for the examination as to competency of all persons in charge of travelling, agricultural, or other engines No. 26. The School Attendance Act re-enacts in an amended form the provisions of the Education Act as to compulsory school attendance. No. 27. The Offensive Publications Act Amendment Act increases the term of imprisonment which may be awarded under the principal Act in cases of gross offences. No. 28. The Legitimation Act provides that the parents of illegitimate children who subsequently intermarry may obtain an entry upon the register of births of any illegitimate children they may have, whereupon said children become legitimate as if born in wedlock. The issue of any such child who may die before the marriage of his or her parents also succeed to property as if the parent of the said issue had been born in wedlock. Any estate, right, or interest in property acquired before the passing of the Act is not to be affected. A similar enactment, " The Half-caste Disability Eemoval Act, 1860," legitimatising the issue of mixed blood, born before marriage of parents of the European and mixed race, was attended with the best results, and was the cause of many marriages. No. 29. The Foreign Insurance Companies' Deposits Act, for the better protection of their clients in the colony, provides that foreign life assurance companies doing business in the colony shall deposit with the Public Trustee money or securities to the value of £50,000, and accident and other companies to the value of £10,000, and that fire and marine insurance companies shall obtain a yearly certificate from the Public Trust Office Board that it is satisfied of the company's financial stability. No. 30. The Abattoirs and Slaughterhouses Act re-enacts the former law on the subject, is for the encouragement of the establishment of public abattoirs, the discouragement of slaughterhouses, and makes provision for the better inspection of meat. No. 31. The Factories Act consolidates and repeals the Factories Acts, 1891 and 1892, and makes further provision for abolition of the system of sweating. No. 32. The Shops and Shop-assistants Act, in substitution of the Act of 1892, makes more stringent provision to secure a weekly half-holiday for shop-assistants, and extends the same provisions to employes in banks, and merchants' and other offices. No. 33. The Water-supply Act Amendment Act sanctions the raising of special loans for the purpose of paying the preliminary expenses in bringing the principal Act into force within any county or district, notwithstanding no further proceedings are taken at once under the said Act, and otherwise amends the principal Act of 1891. No. 34. The Harbours Act Amendment Act authorises the borrowing of money by overdraft not exceeding the ordinary income of a Harbour Board, and further amends the principal Act in sundry particulars. No. 35. The Government Eailways Act abolishes the offices of the Commissioners of Eailways appointed under the Act of 1887, repeals that Act, and transfers back again to the Crown the management and maintenance of all the Government Eailways in the colony. No. 36. The Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Act authorises the raising of £500,000 by the issue of debentures, having fourteen years' currency, one-half of such sum to be applied to the construction of roads and bridges and the preparation of Crown lands for settlement, the other half of the said sum to be applied in the purchase of Native lands, and being in substitution of the powers in that behalf in " The Native Land Purchases Act, 1892." No. 37. The Land for Settlements Act makes provisions, in lieu of the Act of the same name of 1892, for the acquisition of private lands for settlement. It has only a five years' duration. The power to borrow for the purposes of the Act is limited to £250,000 in each financial year. No. 38. The Government Advances to Settlers Act authorises the raising of a gross loan of £3,000,000, within two years from the date of the Act, for the purpose of assisting settlers by advancing money to them on mortgage at reasonable rates of interest, on freehold or perpetual leasehold of country lands. A Board is constituted, with District Boards under its control, to investigate all applications for advances, the amount thereof being fixed by the Act at not exceeding threefifths of the value of the freehold, and not exceeding one-half of the value of the lessee's interest in a leasehold. No. 39. The New Zealand Consols Act, to afford facilities for the investment of savings by the creation of consols, authorises the Colonial Treasurer to receive deposits from persons in the colony of sums not exceeding in the aggregate £500,000, bearing interest at 4 per centum per annum, repayable at a time not later than forty years. The deposits to be made in any amount, and may be lodged at any post-office money-order office in the colony, to be entered in the Eegister of Consols at Wellington, where a certificate of consols is issued to depositor ; certificates are transferable by delivery, and entitles bearer to payment of interest and principal. No. 40. The Stamp Acts Amendment Act amends the principal Act and its amendments in respect of the duty on policies of sea-insurance, the transfer or lease of Native lands, and in respect of assignments for the benefit of creditors. No. 41. The Criminal Code Act Amendment Act, for the further protection of girls, advances the age of consent from fourteen to fifteen, and provides that the consent of a girl shall be no defence to certain offences. No. 42. The Public Works Act consolidates and amends the law relating to public works, the taking of lands for the purpose, and the assessment of compensation in respect thereof. No. 43. The Native Land Court Act amends and consolidates the laws relating to the Native Land Court, its practice and procedure, and makes provision restricting the alienation of Native Lands, and for the administration of the same.

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No. 44. The Native Land Court Certificate Confirmation Act confirms and validates the certicate issued in respect of Section 37, Block 1., and Section 6, Block 11., Hawera Survey District, under "The Native Land (Validation of Titles) Act, 1892," now repealed. No. 45. The Native Lands Claims and Boundaries Adjustment and Titles Empowering Act makes provision for the settlement of certain matters in dispute respecting certain blocks of Native land, their ownership or boundaries. No. 46. The Native Land (Validation of Titles) Act Amendment Act provides for the appointment of Judges under the principal Act, and amends the procedure of the Court established under that Act. No. 47. The Indictable Offences Summary Jurisdiction Act consolidates the unrepealed provisions of the Criminal Acts of 1867 and those of " The Justices of the Peace Act, 1882," relating to the summary jurisdiction of Justices in indictable offences, and incorporates certain provisions of the Imperial Act, 48 and 49 Vict., c. 69, for the protection of women and girls, and the suppression of brothels. No. 48. The Dairy Industry Act re-enacts in an extended and improved form the Act of 1892 for regulating the manufacture of butter and cheese, and providing for the purity of milk. No. 49. The Trustees Acts Amendment Act extends the powers of trustees to empower them to advance trust funds within certain limits, and subject to certain conditions, on the security of leaseholds of a perpetual nature. No. 50. The Public Trust Office Consolidation Act consolidates the law relating to the Public Trustee and the Public Trust Office. No. 51. The Mining Companies Act consolidates and amends the law for the incorporation and winding-up of mining companies. No. 52. The Mining Act 1891 Amendment Act amends the mining law in relation to the development of mining, water-races, and other particulars. No. 53. The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act regulates the occupation of Crown lands within mining districts not required for mining, for agricultural or horticultural purposes. No: 54.- The Land Drainage Amendment Act supplements the principal Act, with a view to making it more workable. No. 55. The Tongariro National Park Act sets apart, as a national park, 6,508 acres around the Euapehu Mountain and the Tongariro Volcano, near Lake Taupo, in the centre of the North Island. No. 56. The Sea-fisheries Act consolidates and amends the law relating to the sea-fisheries for oysters and fish, and the taking of seals. No. 57. The Tramways Act amends and consolidates the law of tramways, and provides that they may only be constructed by permission of the Governor, to be obtained through the local authority of the district. No. 58. The Post and Telegraph Department Act makes provision for the departmental control of the service, and is an extension of the provisions of " The Post and Telegraph Classification and Eegulation Act, 1890." No. 59. The Unclaimed Lands Act repeals the Act of 1892 on the same subject, it having been declared that that Act did not extend to lands held under title prior to "The Land Transfer Act, 1870," and substitutes more complete provisions for the same object. No. 60. The Eailways Authorisation Act authorises the extension of two sections of the intended Great Northern Eailway to connect Auckland with the Bay of Islands. No. 61. The Government Life Insurance Acts Amendment Act extends the power of the Government Insurance Commissioner to sue and be sued, and amends the provisions for the investment of the funds in the Government Insurance Account. No. 62. The Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Act amends the law relating to seamen in respect to their rating and discharge, and provides more stringent rules for the protection of life at sea. No. 63. The Police Offences Act Amendment Act amends the law as to the number of hands required to be employed in driving traction-engines on roads. No. 64. The Banking Act amends the Bank-note Issue Act of last year by altering the proportion of assets to liabilities required before notes can be declared legal tender, makes such notes a first charge on the reserve capital as well as on the other property of the bank, and prohibits the Bank of New Zealand, whose preferential stock has been guaranteed by the colony, from amalgamating with any other bank without the sanction of Parliament. No. 65. The Land and Income Assessment Acts Amendment Act amends the Acts relating to the assessment of land and income for the purposes of taxation in various particulars, especially in relation to mortgages. No. 66. The Income-tax Act fixes the amount of the income-tax to be levied, and the mode of collecting the same, in respect of the financial year commencing on the Ist April, 1894, No. 67. The Public Works Appropriation Act appropriates out of the unexpended balance of loan, and from other sources, a total sum of £653,713 for the construction of public works, for the year ending the 31st March, 1895. No. 68. The Appropriation Act—'the annual Appropriation Act. Amount appropriated, total £2,251,325. The Local and Personal Acts. No. 1. The Dunedin Waterworks Account Act authorises any surplus of the Waterworks Account to be carried to the General Account of the City Corporation. No. 2. The Jubilee Institute for the Blind Eeserve Act sanctions the transfer of a reserve for an asyluln for the blind at Auckland to the Jubilee Institute for the Blind) with power to sell same and apply the proceeds in erecting other buildings for the same objects.

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No. 3. The Pohangina County Act constitutes a new county out of the north-eastern portion of the present Oroua County. No. 4. The Levels County Act constitutes a new county out of the southern portion of the present Geraldine County. No. 5. The Havelock Commonage Act 1877 Amendment Act adds the names of four persons (as trustees) to the existing four trustees under the principal Act. No. 6. The Wellington City Drainage Empowering Act confers upon the Wellington City Council additional powers for effectually carrying out a system of drainage of the city and its suburbs. No. 7. The Timaru Harbour Board Eeclamation Act authorises the Timaru Harbour Board to redeem certain lands from the sea, and thereafter to deal with the lands so reclaimed in manner prescribed by the Act. No. 8. The Ocean Beach Public Domain Act 1892 Amendment Act authorises a special rate to be levied to supply the money authorised to be borrowed under the principal Act, if the ratepayers so approve. No. 9. The Greymouth Harbour Board Empowering Act authorises the Board to apply royalties accruing from certain coal-reserves in further prospecting the said reserves for coal. No. 10. The Inangahua County Council Empowering Act constitutes a special district of the Town of Eeefton, and authorises a special rate to be levied therein for prevention of fires and lighting the town, which is not sufficiently populous to be constituted a borough. No. 11. The Wellington Eeclaimed Land Act 1871 Amendment Act re-conveys to the Corporation of the City certain lands which were vested in the Governor of New Zealand by way of mortgage to secure the payment of certain moneys which have been paid. No. 12. The Eketahuna Cemetery Eeserve Act is a special Act, changing the purpose of a recreation reserve into a reserve for a cemetery. No. 13. The Mount St. John Eeserve Act authorises the conversion of an education reserve near Auckland into a reserve for recreation, subject to an equivalent reserve being made for primary education. No. 14. The Kaitangata Belief Fund Transfer Act 1892 Amendment Act enables the Trustees of the fund to vary the sums granted to the beneficiaries, and to add to their number, and amends the administration of the principal Act. No. 15. The Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Act authorises the transfer of portion of their endowment land for the purposes of a recreation-ground. No. 16. The Dunedin Loans Conversion Act authorises the conversion of certain municipal loans of the City of Dunedin, bearing large interest, by the issue of debentures and the creation of a sinking-fund for their redemption. No. 17. The Borough of Oamaru Leasing Act authorises the insertion of covenants for renewals, subject to revaluation, in Corporation leases. No. 18. The Newmarket Hall Act 1874 Amendment Act vests in the Corporation of the Borough of Newmarket certain lands for purposes of a public hall and reading-room, with power to mortgage the said lands and raise money for the improvement or repairs of the buildings thereon. No. 19. The Waimakariri-Ashley Water-supply Board Loan Act makes special provision for the raising of a loan by the Board, " The Counties Act, 1886," not being in force in so much of the district as is comprised within the Ashley County. No. 20. The Hamilton Domains Empowering Act authorises the Governor to relet to the present lessees certain domain lands at the expiration of present leases. No. 21. The Lake Forsyth Drainage Act makes an endowment of certain lands to the Akaroa County Council, to provide funds for the maintenance of an outlet to the sea of the waters of Lake Forsyth. No. 22. The Ngaere and other Blocks Native Claims Adjustment Act provides for the equitable division of the purchase-money of certain blocks of Native land between the legal and equitable owners thereof respectively. No. 23. The Hastings Borough Loan Validation and Empowering Act validates a certain special rate made by the borough in an irregular manner as security for moneys advanced. No. 24. The Gisborne Harbour Act 1884 Amendment Act authorises the conversion of all securities forming part of the sinking fund, and bearing interest at less than 6 per centum, and the application of the proceeds either to the redemption of debentures or to investment on freehold security of land. No. 25. The Westland and Nelson Goldfieids Administration Act 1877 Amendment Act extends to forty-two years the term of leases which may be granted under section 18 of the principal Act for unlet portions of the Westport Colliery Eeaerve not required for railway purposes. No. 26. The Timaru Harbour District Eating Act amends the existing methods of rating the district for interest on loans, adopting a uniform rating on the capital value of property for the purpose, No. 27. The Little Barrier Island Purchase Act authorises the payment to the Public Trust office of certain shares of unclaimed purchase-moneys, to enable the purchase to be completed. No. 28. The James Mitchell Trust Act empowers the Hawera Borough Council to hand over to the Hospital Board certain trust moneys they hold for the purpose of the erection of a hospital ward. No. 29. The Westport-Ngakawau Eailway Extension Act 1890 Amendment Act authorises the Governor to purchase the railway from the colliery company out of the Westland Harbour Fund. No. 30. The Westland County Council Enabling Act authorises the granting of a lease, under exceptional circumstances, for an accommodation-house erected on part of an unused public road. No. 31. The Otago Harbour Board Further Empowering Act 1882 Amendment Act authorises the Harbour Board to levy a harbour improvement rate of ss. per ton on all goods and merchandise discharged or shipped at the Port of Dunedin. 2—A. 1.

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No. 32. The Kirikiri Native School Site Act authorises the transfer of the site to the Education Board of Auckland, on purchase, for the purposes of a public school under the Education Act.

No. 12. (No. 71.) My Lobd, — Government House, Wellington, 22nd December, 1894. I have the honour to inform you that my Government are of opinion that, whenever practicable, Foreign Consuls appointed in New Zealand should be subjects of the States they represent, and they have requested me to bring this matter to your Lordship's notice, with a view to representations being made to Foreign Governments on the subject, as they consider it very undesirable that British subjects should represent, even in a Consular position, any Foreign Power in this colony. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

. (No. .1.) No. 13. My Loed, — Government House, Auckland, 4th March, 1895. Having just returned from a visit to the outlying dependencies of this colony, as named in the margin, in the Government despatch vessel " Hinemoa," I think it my duty to give your Lordship a short account of these interesting but little-known islands, and to bring to your notice the admirable arrangements made by the New Zealand Government in order to afford succour to shipwrecked crews from time to time cast away on them, lying as they do in the track of vessels Homeward bound from the Australian ports round the Horn. I was fortunate in being accompanied by Sir James Hector, K.C.M.G., &c, Manager of the New Zealand Institute and Director of the Geological Survey and the Meteorological Department of New Zealand ; by Dr. Parker, Professor of Biology in the University of Otago; and by Commander Edwin, E.N., of the Meteorological Department; and I shall hope to forward to you in due course any reports which these gentlemen may publish of their observations during the voyage. These observations, however, have been limited in number owing to the stormy and unsettled state of the weather during the whole of our expedition, which prevented much research and investigation which would otherwise have been of much interest. We left the Bluff Harbour on the 30th January, and, owing to strong southerly gales, we put into Port Adventure, Paterson's Inlet, and Port Pegasus in succession, in Stewart Island, after looking in at Half-moon Bay, where we found a whaler from Hobart flensing a sperm whale. There is no doubt but that whales are increasing in the South Seas, but it is to be hoped that the whaling industry will not be resumed to any great extent for many years yet, or they will again be brought to the verge of extinction. The females only calve every two years, and it will be long before they are again plentiful. Paterson's Inlet is a beautiful sheet of water, and Adventure Cove a safe harbour in all but north-easterly gales. Port Pegasus would become a place of some importance as the most southern port of the colony were the southern half of Stewart Island capable of settlement, but, being composed of little else than coarse granite, it is of no value for either grazing or agriculture. The Snares.- —Leaving Port Pegasus in the evening we arrived off the Snares in the early morning and stopped till daylight, when we steamed to the ordinary anchorage, close under the east side of the Main Snare, where we anchored in 75 fathoms. These islands bear S.S.W. from the Bluff, distant 125 miles. They are precipitous for the most part, and in some places are 600 ft. to 700 ft. high. The Main and the North-east Snares together are about a mile and a half long, separated by a narrow channel, barely practicable for boats. Another island or group of rocks, known as the South-west Snares,

Snares Island, Auckland Islands, Campbell Island, Antipodes Island, Bounty Islands, Chatham Islands.

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are about two miles and a half off. The propriety of placing a lighthouse oh this group has been under consideration. These islands are composed of coarse granite, covered with a rich peaty soil strongly impregnated with guano. They are hardly fit for settlement, but the time may come when it may be worth while to transport the soil, which, if hardly equal to guano, might still make a very rich top-dressing for exhausted soils. The Victoria penguin breeds here in large numbers, and so does the mutton-bird, and there used to be a fur-seal rookery, but we only saw one or two. There is a small colony of sea-lions. Auckland Islands. —In our voyage from the Snares to the Auckland Islands we sounded twice —at twenty-two miles from the former, where we got 87 fathoms (only 13 more than the depth of our anchorage the night before), coral bottom ; the second time we got 196 fathoms, at sixty-six miles from the Auckland Islands. The information thus gained tends to confirm the opinion that a bank of no great depth extends well to the southward of New Zealand. The Auckland Islands are a most interesting group. We first visited Enderby Island, at the north-east extremity, a Government reserve of about 1,200 acres flat tableland, for the most part 20ft. or 30ft. above the sea, covered with scrub and coarse grass. Here we found some sea-lions and a few silver-gray rabbits. We then visited Lawrie Harbour, or Sarah's Bosom. As it was blowing very hard we sought the more commodious anchorage of Norman Inlet (so named in the colonial chart) for the night. As at this place is situated one of the depots for shipwrecked seamen, and as it is so notified to mariners, I feel it is advisable to call attention to the important fact, that in the Admiralty chart this same inlet is named Musgrave Inlet, while Norman Inlet is marked as situated considerably to the northward. This might mislead castaways, and thus cause disappointment and hardship. Our next anchorage was off " Fairchild's Garden," in Carnley Harbour. In this magnificent sheet of water, which lies between the main island and Adam's Island, we anchored in no less than five different secure anchorages while waiting for the furious gales which prevailed to subside. I was much struck by the capabilities of these islands, and by the beauty of the scenery. The height of the islands are nowhere more than 2,000 ft., and they are bare of scrub, on the average, about 200 ft. or 300 ft. from the beach. The scrub is not large, but makes excellent fuel. Above the scrub there is everywhere abundance of coarse grass, interspersed with tussocks, well adapted for sheep until English grass is introduced. There are in all about 140,000 acres of land, which has lately been let in three large runs. The east coast of the islands abounds in secure anchorages, and there is everywhere plenty of water. The climate is believed to be favourable for settlement. We saw sea-lions, albatrosses, Eoyal and Victoria penguins, mutton-birds, wingless duck, snipe, and other birds, and also a few sheep and goats, which were Landed on the island by Captain Fairchild, of the Government vessel "Hinemoa," a year or two ago. From the number of carcases of sea-lions on the beach there has been evidently a considerable slaughter of them lately. Campbell Island. —On leaving the Auckland Islands, after more than one fruitless attempt to put to sea, we attempted to reach the Macquarrie Islands, which are under the jurisdiction of Tasmania, where sea-elephants and the king penguin are to be found; but we encountered so much wind and sea that after eighteen hours we were obliged to bear up for the Campbell Islands, which bear E.S.E. from the Aucklands, distant 145 miles. We ran before a tempestuous sea, and were glad to get under the shelter of the main island. This, like the group we have just left, is well fitted for occupation, and has just been let as one large run, amounting in all to 28,000 acres. The land is, if anything, superior to that in the Auckland Islands; like them, this island is of volcanic origin, and is covered with a peaty soil, well grassed, with tussocks here and there. There is little or no scrub, but a heath covers the land for some little distance from the beach, growing as high as Bft. to 10ft. in sheltered places, with stems as thick as a man's wrist. But the peat would form excellent fuel. Like the Aucklands, the land is of volcanic formation. Its coasts are very fine and bold, and the rocks on it and the outlying islets are of the most fantastic forms. The east side contains two most excellent harbours, well sheltered from every quarter, and on the west coast is another, fairly secure from most winds. The scenery is

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fine, and the climate similar to that in the Auckland Islands, from which it bears E.S.E., distant 145 miles. Antipodes Island. —After a detention of several days from a succession of adverse gales, we sailed for Antipodes Island, which bears about N.E., distant 396 miles. We had a heavy gale after us and a following sea, and arrived on the second day. This is far the most picturesque island we have visited. They have all been remarkable for beauty of outline and for their rock scenery, but Antipodes surpasses them all. Volcanic, like the rest, it is of a later date, and more mixed in its composition, in which occurs basalt, tufa, scoria, and ashes. The colouring of some of the rocks are most remarkable—one headland, for example, about 600 ft. high, was of a rich chocolate colour, and the contrast with the olive-coloured fringe of seaweed at the water-line, coming between the rock and the deep indigo colour of the sea, changing into dark cobalt on the top of the rollers as the long swell swept along the base of the cliff, caused a combination of colour which can be more easily imagined than described. This cliff was noticed in the report of H.M.S. " Eosario's " visit some years back. It contains a magnificent cave about 150 ft. high, with a beautifully arched roof, looking as if made artificially, and about 500 ft. deep, into which the "Hinemoa" might have sailed, in which the chocolate colour ofthe rock deepened into a shade of umber. This island is unlikely to tempt settlers, though capable of habitation. From the shore, for about half a mile inland all round, the walking is extremely difficult, from the size of the tussocks and the luxuriance of the long grass. Further inland the tussocks disappear, and coarse grass takes its place. The highest hill is about 1,500 ft., and there is about 2jft. of peat above the soil. Some years ago, in digging the foundation for a depot, Captain Fairchild found some fragments of a very roughly made earthenware basin, evidently of ancient date, for from the depth at which it was found it must have been there for a very long time. It is now, I believe, in the Wellington Museum. As an instance of the difficulty of walking on this island, I may state that the " Spirit of the Dawn," a barque of about 800 tons, was wrecked on the west coast of this island in 1893. Five of the crew were drowned, and the survivors, numbering eleven, landed, and for eighty-eight days never moved more than a few hundred yards from where they were wrecked, although there was a depot within two miles of the place where they landed, keeping themselves alive on shell-fish and penguins' eggs, until they were seen by the " Hinemoa " on her periodical trip, and taken off. In consequence of this incident Captain Fairchild has placed a large number of finger-posts on all prominent positions round the islands where depots exist. There is no harbour in the Antipodes Island, but there are two excellent alternative anchorages on the east side of the island, close in, in 20 fathoms, affording good shelter in north-west or south-west gales. Bounty Islands. —From the Campbell Islands we steered for the Bounty Islands, which bore N. by W., 116 miles. As another gale was blowing we could not land., but lay for a short time underneath their lee—long enough to observe that at this season they are covered with penguins, and other sea-birds, sitting on their nests. We also saw three fur seals lying on a ledge. These islands are merely masses of granite, without any vegetation whatever. There are some sixteen of them, the largest being about 25 acres in extent. A few weeks after the birds leave the islands, such is the exposed condition of these rocks that there is not a vestige of feathers or guano left to show that they are birds' breeding-places. When we saw them the sea was making a clean breach over most of them, and we learned that, though they are as high in some places as 120 ft., very few spots are out of reach of the sea. There is a rookery of fur seals here. Chatham Islands.— -From the Bounty Islands to the Chatham Group the course is N.N.E., 290 miles, and to the anchorage at Waitangi some 20 miles more. This group is the only one of the outlying islands of this colony where there is any settlement at present. We sighted the islands in the early morning and, standing along the land, arrived at Waitangi Harbour about 11. The morning was fine, and we saw three or four smiling homesteads apparently situated on excellent land. We were much struck by the sylvan aspect of the island, which differs entirely from those which we have lately visited. Chatham Island

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is composed of beautiful rolling downs, covered with grass, with patches of fern here and there, and intersected with belts of forest scrub, which is, curiously enough, composed of five sorts of trees, some of which are not found in New Zealand, while the others only form a part ofthe impenetrable bush which grows there under the larger timber. Here they grow almost to the size of forest timber, and they have little or no undergrowth beneath them. The scenery is park-like, and in some places I was reminded of parts of the Isle of Wight. Cultivation in the Chatham Islands has only been carried on to a small extent, both on the east and west coasts, but sufficiently so to prove that the soil and climate is well adapted to agriculture. The difficulty experienced in clearing the land from the growth of ferns and bush will not probably be overcome until a closer system of settlement is adopted. The land in the southern part of the island is excellent, but in the extreme north for the most part not so good. Along the coast are low sandhills, which on the west coast are encroaching on the good land. Bent grass, as a " sand-bind," has been introduced by one ofthe settlers, which, if generally used, will remedy this. Where we lay, at Waitangi, the harbour is unfortunately too shallow to allow vessels of any draught to lie much inside the head forming the bay. It is, however, well sheltered from the prevailing south-west winds, and there is plenty of shelter round the other side of the island from north-west gales. A landingpier for boats is very much required, and, I am informed, can be provided at a very small cost. On landing I received a most hearty welcome, and addresses were read from both the European and the Maori population. The Maoris afterwards received me in their meeting-house. There must have been at least a hundred and fifty people present when I landed, which is a large percentage of the population, which is estimated at nearly four hundred, of whom about half are Maoris and Morioris. I have been given to understand that the Eesident Magistrate was much pleased by the manner in which I was received by the Maori chiefs. The Maoris own a great deal of land in the island, and hitherto they have not been very willing to let or lease it. It is to be hoped that they will adopt a different policy in future, as there is yet a considerable quantity of good land available—if let—for settlement, which at present is not utilised at all. It appears to me that some sort of Land Court in the island would in that case become necessary. On leaving Waitangi I attempted to visit Pitt Island, but heavy weather prevented me landing, so I contented myself with visiting the Moriori settlement at Ohanga. There are only nineteen living there, and there are said to be only from thirty to forty altogether left, most of whom are of mixed blood, and out of that number there are said to be only nine pure Morioris, and only one child of nine years old, so that in a few years none will be left. Before concluding this despatch I would wish to make a few remarks on the difficult question of protecting the animal life in the outlying islands from destruction by strange vessels not belonging to the colony. At present naturalists are almost the only persons interested, as the fur seal is all but extinct; we did not see more than six during our cruise. Sea-lions are far from numerous, and are fast being destroyed. One vessel would destroy all that are left in a few days ; and it is evident that during the last season a good deal has been done in that direction ; so that if the seal-fishery is again declared open in these islands the destruction of seal life in them is a matter of a very short time, but at the same time strict preservation would soon cause the numbers to again increase. As far as the sea-birds are concerned, the albatross and penguins are at present very plentiful, but a systematic destruction of the latter for oil, such as is said to be taking place at the Macquaries, would soon wipe them out altogether. On the whole, it would appear to be, if only from a sentimental point of view, a pity to see these interesting and valuable animals doomed to extinction; but the recent visit of a Norwegian sealing-vessel to these waters, and certain unexplained circumstances in her career, show how difficult it is to cause laws

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as to close time for seal or other fishing to be respected without having any force at hand to enforce the law. Another proof of this is that a number of the stores set apart on the Campbell Islands for shipwrecked mariners were found at our visit to have been stolen and made away with, and air-tight cases opened and ransacked. Under these circumstances, the only way in which these ends appear to be attainable is by encouraging as much settlement as possible on those islands and having them frequently visited. I have the honour to enclose herewith a list of the depots, boathouses, and fingerposts on the islands named which have been provided by my Government for the succour and assistance of shipwrecked crews ; also a list of vessels known to have been wrecked on them during the last thirty years; and, lastly, a list of the soundings and their position taken during our expedition : all of which, with this despatch, I would respectfully suggest should be forwarded for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. I have, &c, GLASGOW. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c, Downing Street.

Table showing Provision made in the Seveeal Islands foe the Succour op Shipwrecked Ceews. Provision Boats FingerDepots, and Houses, posts.* Snares Island ... ... ... ... 1 ... 5 Auckland Islands ... ... ... ... 3 5 40 Campbell Island ... ... ... ... 1 1 12 Antipodes Island ... ... ... ... 1 ... 8 Bounty Islands ... ... ... ... 1 Kermadec Group— Macauley Island ... ... ... ... 1 Curtis Island ... ... ... ... 1 List op Stores in each Depot. Biscuits. Tinned meats. Fat, for frying fish. Medicine chest. Fishing lines, hooks, and knives. Matches, cooking utensils, carpenters' tools. Needles and thread, sail needles and twine. Eifle and ammunition. Blankets, men's jackets, flannel shirts and socks, serge shirts and trousers, watertight boots, enough for twenty-four men. List op the Ships known to have been wrecked on the Auckland Islands, etc. " Grafton " ; lost 3rd January, 1864 ; Auckland Islands. " Minerva" ; lost 10th May, 1864; Auckland Islands. " Invercauld " ; lost 16th May, 1864 ; Auckland Islands. " General Grant " ; lost 13th May, 1866 ; Auckland Islands. " Derry Castle " ; lost 20th March, 1887 ; Auckland Islands. " Compadre " ; lost 19th March, 1891; Auckland Islands. " Spirit of the Dawn " ; lost 4th September, 1893 ; Antipodes Island.

* These finger-posts were put up last year in suitable parts of the islands to indicate the route to tho provision depots, and boats, as the experience gained by the shipwreck of the " Spirit of the Dawn" shows that it is possible for shipwrecked mariners to be unaware of the existence of the depots, which are situated in the east, or what is generally the leeward side of the islands, while the wrecks are generally on the west, or windward side. This is necessary, as landing on the western side is seldom possible.—G.

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Soundings taken in s.s. "Hinemoa."

No. 14. (No. 9.) My Loed, — Government House, Auckland, 2nd April, 1895. In view of the fact that there is a certain quantity of indifferent land in the colony in various parts overrun with gorse, a section of the agriculturalist part of the community are considering the advisability of utilising it as fodder for their stock, and experiments have been made in that direction. As it is understood that in parts of Spain, and, possibly, in other countries, gorse is so used with success, I have to request that your Lordship will be pleased, through the channels at the disposal of the Foreign Office, to cause reports to be drawn up, giving such information on the subject as can be obtained, and I am persuaded that the result will be much prized by the settlers in question. The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 15. (No. 10.) My Loed, — Government House, Auckland, 16th April, 1895. At the request of my Ministers, I have the honour to draw your a.-i, ism, attention to my despatch No. 22, ofthe Bth June, 1893, on the extension of No - 5 - " The Coinage Act, 1870," and of section 2 of the Act of 1891, to this colony. 2. In that despatch I signified the concurrence of my Government in the proposed extension of " The Coinage Act, 1870," to the Australian Colonies. 3. My Government would wish to be informed if any Imperial action has taken place on my despatch. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 16. (No. 11.) My Loed, — Government House, Auckland, 16th April, 1895. There is no provision in this colony for the Government conferring any decorative distinction for saving human life ; but provision has been made by Order in Council, dated 10th March, 1869, which received Her Majesty's approval (vide Lord Granville's despatch No. 102, ofthe 2nd October, 1869), for conferring a decorative distinction on such members of the Militia, Volunteers, and Armed Constabulary as might particularly distinguish themselves by bravery in war, called the New Zealand Cross. My Ministers think that there should also be power to grant a similar decoration to civilians and others for bravery in saving human life, under regulations to provide that only in the most exceptional cases should it be so granted, and that there should be a distinction

Date. Soum ling. ;om. le. iongi le. Feb. 3, 1895 . 4, _ „ 9, „ ,; 15, . „ 19, „ „ 22, ,, „ 23, „ „ 23, „ . 24, „ „ 24, „ 86 fathoms 196 95 550 47 260 319 345 301 56 Coral and broken shell Not ascertained; lead lost Coarse black sand Bine black gravel, and sand Grey sand, and broken shells Yellow mud, and sand Green clay, and sand Green mud, and sand Shell Shell, sand, and coarse gravel 48° 31' S. 49° 37' S. 51° 0' S. 51° 0' S. 44° 9' S. 44° 5' S. 43° 56' S. 43° 52' S. 43° 42' S. 43° 41' S. 166° 24' E. 166° 15' B. 166° 2' B. 174° 10' B. 176° 30' W. 177° 45' W. 179° 10' B. 177° 57' E. 173° 52' E. 173° 36' E. * Although the aboirevented any more wo: '6 list of soundij :k being done. igs is a small one every opportunity for sounding was takei a Bad weather

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between such a grant and the one for bravery in time of war. The colour of the ribbon might be changed, and the stars might be omitted, or some other alteration made to distinguish it from the cross itself. My Ministers submit that it is of very great importance that distinguished bravery in saving human life should be recognised by the New Zealand Government, and in a public way. They therefore have the honour to request your Lordship to advise that Her Most Gracious Majesty may issue the necessary authority for the bestowal of the decoration as suggested, under regulations to be issued by the Governor in Council. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 17. (No. 13.) My Loed, — Government House, Auckland, 16th April, 1895. In reply to your despatch No. 6, dated 18th January, 1895, I have the honour to inform you that Colonel Fox, New Zealand Militia, late Major Eoyal Artillery, was appointed Military Adviser and Inspecting Officer of the New Zealand Defences and Defence Forces of the Government of New Zealand, on the Ist of September, 1894, he having left the New 7 Zealand Government Service on sth May, 1894, and the appointment is a yearly one. The pay, including- allowances, is .£650 per annum. The engagement is terminable by three months' notice on either side. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1895, No. 20.

No. 18. (No. 14.) My Loed, — Government House, Auckland, 16th April, 1895. In reply to your circular despatch of 11th January, 1895, I have the honour to report that a Bill is being prepared by my Government, for introduction at the next session of Parliament, in order to comply with the request therein contained. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, G.C.M.G., GLASGOW. Secretary of State for the Colonies. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (1,350 copies), £9 4s. By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington,—lB9s. Price 6d.]

A.-2, 1895, No. 19.