NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OE STATE.

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A—No. 1

present Session of the Ncav Zealand Parliament, Mr. Eox, the leader of the Opposition, and formerly Prime Minister of the Colony, moved a vote of Avant of confidence in Mr. Stafford's Administration. After a debate of seven days, this motion Avas carried last Aveek by a majority of eleven, the numbers being forty to tAventy-nine. Consequently, Mr. Stafford tendered his resignation on behalf of himself and his colleagues, Avhen I entrusted Mr. Eox with the task of forming a iicav Ministry. Mr. Eox has uoav become Premier and leader of the House of Representatives; Mr. William Gisborne, Colonial Secretary and Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council; Mr. Julius Vogel, Colonial Treasurer ; Mr. Donald McLean, Minister for Native Affairs and also for Defence; and Mr. Erancis Dillon. Bell, Member of the Ministry Avithout a department. 2. I transmit hcreAvith copies of the Ncav Zealand Hansard,, in Avhich (as j have already intimated elsewhere) will be found corrected reports of the debates in the Colonial Parliament; full discussions, from every possible point ofvvicA r, of the condition and prospects of this Colony; and the opinions of the late and present Ministers, and of the other leading public men of all parties. The Hansard, and printed copies of all the papers laid before Parliament, (many of which contain valuable information,) will continue to be forwarded by every monthly mail. I have, &o, The Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN.

No. 7. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 78.) Government House, Wellington, My Loud, — New Zealand, 2nd July, 1869. I have the honor to transmit herewith an Order of the Executive' Council of Ncav Zealand, passed at the instance and with the advice of the Responsible Ministers of this Colony, and making regulations '"for conferring a " Decorative Distinction on members of the Militia, Volunteers, and Armed " Constabulary, avlio may particularly distinguish themsehres by their bravery." It Avill be seen that it is provided that " this Distinction shall only be conferred " upon those officers or men who, when serving in the presence of the enemy, " shall have performed some signal act of valour or deA rotion to their duty, or who " shall have performed any very intrepid action in the public service; and neither " rank, nor long service, nor wounds, nor any other circumstance or condition " whatever, save merit of conspicuous bravery, shall be held to establish a " sufficient claim to the honor." 2. This step was taken by the Colonial Government on the urgent recommendation of Colonel Whifcmore, who represented that, in organizing the Colonial Eorces for action in the field, he found it in the highest degree expedient to be enabled to hold out to the officers and men composing it, whether Europeans or Maoris, some personal distinction in lieu of the Victoria Cross and of the many other rewards of honor, rank, and promotion, which are powerful incentives in ail regular armies. It Avas once said by the late Major Yon Tempsky, (a brave and skilful officer, Avho fell in the assault of the rebel pa at Te IN gutu-o-te-Manu in last September,) that, in common with his brethren in arms, he felt bitterly that" a Colonial Eorce had neither " a past nor a future," —no gallant spirit of felloAvship founded on glorious antecedents, and on prospects of future fame and rewards. 3. It is, of course, known here that the Queen is the " fountain of honor," and alone can institute Orders of Merit, or other distinctions of Imperial value; but the Colonial Government does not pretend to any poAver of this kind. The proposed " Decorative Distinction" is simply a local honor, instituted and awarded (as it has been truly said) on a principle analogous to that on AAdiich (for example) the Royal Geographical Society or the Humane Society grant their medals. Personally, I Avould have preferred that this question should have been referred home in the first instance; but my Responsible Advisers represented that Colonel 5