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No. 13. Government House, Hobartown, Tasmania, sth April, 1864. Sir,— In reply to your second despatch, dated sth February, enclosing a memorial from the Provincial Council of the Province of Auckland, I have the honor to request your Excellency to forward the enclosed reply. I have, &c, T. Gore Browne. His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., &c, &c, &c, Auckland.

Enclosure to No. 13. Government House, Hobart Town, Tasmania, sth April, 1864. Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of an Address, signed by and foiwarded to me by His Excellency Sir George Grey, in a despatch dated Auckland, sth February 1864. In reply 1 desire to express my regret that I am unable to meet the wishes of the Provincial Council of the Province of Auckland. You will observe that the merits of the question you state so forcibly are not submitted to the Governors of New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania ; they are simply informed by Sir George Grey that the Legislature has decided that the Seat of Government should be placed in a more central position—that is to say, somewhere in Cook's Straits. The Legislature desires that the actual site of the Capital should be submitted to some independent tribunal, to be formed by Commissioners. I have informed Sir George Grey, in reply, that in appointing one of the Commissioners I do so at his request (as Her Majesty's Representative) and that ot the General Assembly of New Zealand, and without reference to the merits of the question at issue. I have, &c, T. Gore Browne.

No. 14. VICTORIA. Government House, Toorack, 6th April, 1864. Sir, — I have had the honor to receive your Excellency's letters of the sth February last, with their respective enclosures, and I beg to acquaint you that, while giving my respectful consideration to the Representation of the Provincial Council of Auckland, I have felt it my duty to comply with the wish of the General Assembly of New Zealand, supported as it is by your Excellency's request-that I should adopt that course. I have been so fortunate as to obtain the services, as a Commissioner, of Sir Francis Murphy, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria; but as the Parliamentary Duties of that gentleman will probably not permit of bis proceeding te New Zealand before the end of the month of July, or beginning of August next, I can only express my hope that that period will suit both the views of the New Zealand Government and the arrangements of the Commissioners who may be appointed from the other Colonies. I have, &c, C. H. Darling. His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B.

No. 15. Government House, Auckland, 18th May, 1864. Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th April, 1864, with the information that you had obtained the services of Sir Francis Murphy to act as Commissioner in New Zealand.

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SEAT OF GOVERNMENT TO COOK'S STRAITS.