A.—2.

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No. 85. Copy of a DESEATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Oeeicer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 25th November, 1879. I have the honor to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, copies of two letters addressed to Dr. Eorbes Watson respecting his scheme for acquiring the site of the proposed Opera House on the Thames Embankment for a Colonial Museum, in regard to which I understand that he has communicated directly with all the colonies. In the absence of any general concurrence and assurance of sufficient pecuniary support from the colonies, I have not felt myself in a position to make any definite suggestions on this subject to Her Majesty's Government. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure 1 in No. 85. The Colonial Office to Dr. Watson. Sir,— Downing Street, 24th May, 1879. I am directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to acquaint you that he has perused with attention your letter of the 29th ultimo, which explains very clearly the mode in which you would propose to carry out the scheme for a Colonial Museum in London, but that he cannot take any further step in the matter of the proposed establishment of such a museum until he has received replies to a circular despatch addressed to the Governors of colonics on the 30th December last; nor can he express any opinion at present as to the best site and other arrangements. I have, &c, J. F. Watson, Esq., M.D. R. G. W. Herbert.

Enclosure 2 in No. 85. The Colonial Office to Dr. Watson. Sir, — Downing Street, sth August, 1879. I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowdedge and to thank you for your letter of the 14th July, acquainting him with the substance of the replies which you have received from the Governments of the Australian Colonies inspecting your scheme for acquiring the site of the proposed Opera House on the Thames Embankment for a Colonial Museum. Sir Michael Hicks Beach has already intimated, as you are doubtless aware, his readiness to co-operate on the part of the Crown colonies, so far as their means will permit, in establishing a Colonial Museum in London whenever he may learn that the important colonies possessing responsible government are prepared to deal with the matter in a manner which would appear to promise success. As, however, you were informed in the letter from this department of the 21th May, he is not at present in a position to take any further stop in the matter until he shall have received replies from the colonies to the circular despatch in which the above intimation was conveyed to them; nor can he express any opinion as to the best site for such a museum, or with respect to any other arrangements which might be necessary in connection with such an undei'taking. I have, &c, J. Forbes Watson, Esq., M.D. R. G. W. Herbert.

No. 86. Copy of a DESEATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Oeeicer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, Ist December, 1879. I have the honor to transmit to you, for your information and for that of your Government, the accompanying copy of the Territorial Waters Jurisdiction Act, passed by the Imperial Parliament in 1878 (11 and 12 Vict., c. 73). I have, &c., M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.