A.—2

14

two or an indefinitely larger number of Universities within that Colony. The value of academical degrees would be materially impaired by the establishment of a variety of institutions conferring them within a community which can necessarily provide but a limited number of qualified candidates. And there seems to be no sufficient reason for granting to New Zealand greater privileges in respect of the recognition of its Universities by letters patent than have been granted to New South Wales and Victoria. Looking to the terms in which the University of New Zealand was constituted by Act of the General Legislature, and to its name, I should have supposed that this was the University which the Parliament and people had looked upon as the central University of the Colony, which should at the proper time be authorized to confer degrees entitled to recognition throughout Her Majesty's dominions. But as your Ministers have thought it right that their recommendations should be made in favour of both Universities, and as the reports of the proceedings in the New Zealand Parliament show that the status of the Colonial Universities has been a subject of much discussion, I think it preferable to defer tendering any advice to Her Majesty on the .subject of your Despatch until, by Address or otherwise, I have been placed in possession of the views of the Legislature as to the University upon which a charter should, in their opinion, be conferred. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBERLEY.

No. 21. Copt of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No 9.) Sir, — Downing Street, 31st January, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that Her Majesty will not be advised to exercise her power of disallowance with respect to the following Acts of the Legislature of New Zealand, transcripts of which accompanied your Despatch No. 97, of 16th November last, viz.: — No. 1. —An Act to apply a sum of Money out of the Consolidated Fund and other Moneys to the Service of the Year ending the Thirtieth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three. No. 2. —An Act to make provision for the appointment of Clerk of Parliaments. No. 3. —An Act to authorize the Superintendent of Wellington to extend the time for the Erection of a Patent Slip in the Harbour of Port Nicholson. No. 4 —An Act to amend " The Sharebrokers Act, 1871." No. 5. —An Act to amend " The Auckland Waste Lands Act, 1870." No. 6. —An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Consolidated Fund, and other Moneys, to the Service of the Year ending the Thirtieth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three. No. 7. —An Act to validate the Advance of a Sum of Money to the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Greymouth by the Government of the Colony of New Zealand. No. B.—An Act to amend " The Interpretation Act, 1868." No. 9. —An Act to amend " The New Zealand Post Office Act Amendment Act, 1866." No. 10.—An Act to enable the Allowance of Drawbacks on the Exportation of certain Goods from New Zealand. No. 11. —An Act to authorize the Grant and Conveyance of certain Pieces of Land to the Oamaru Dock Trust. No. 12. —An Act to provide for the Service of Notices and other Documents by means of the Telegraph Department. No. 13.—An Act to make further Provisions respecting Part of the Wellington City Reserves.