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second cable to Australia, for the purpose of enabling that cable to be used in completing communication with South Africa and England. 3. On that occasion Sir George Grey made his remarks as short as possible, for the purpose of telegraphic communication. He now wishes to add that the New Zealand Government immediately assented to the proposal regarding the cable from an earnest desire to assist Great Britain in the present South African difficulty. Sir George Grey is well aware that the feeling of loyalty in this colony is so strong that no Government could stand here which did not, upon every occasion of difficulty which may arise in the Empire, instantly render all the aid in its power to the Home Government in any direction which might present the probability of lessening such a difficulty, or of bringing it to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion. 4. Sir George Grey requests that His Excellency will be so good as to communicate a copy of this memorandum to the British Government. Wellington, 12th April, 1879. G. Grey.

No. 35. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 10.) Government House, Wellington, Sir,— New Zealand, 16th April, 1879. Having laid before Ministers your unnumbered despatch of the 7th Eebruary, drawing attention to your circular despatch of 30th May, 1877, relative to the repatriation of pauper lunatics, to which no reply from this Government had been received, I have this day received from the Premier (Sir George Grey) a memorandum on the subject, a copy of which I have the honor to enclose. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach.

Enclosure in No. 35. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier has the honor to state, in reply to His Excellency's memorandum respecting the unanswered circular from the Colonial Office on the subject of repatriation of pauper lunatics, that the Government decided last year that it was undesirable an answer should be sent until the matter had been considered by Parliament. Through an accident the papers were then mislaid, and when they were re-submitted to the Premier, the Assembly had been prorogued ; but the Government still think it desirable that they should be printed, and presented next session. Wellington, 16th April, 1879. G. Grey.

No. 36. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 11.) Government Office, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 17th April, 1879. I have the honor to report that I have this day assumed the administration of the government of New Zealand as Governor and Commander-in-Chief under the Commission and Letters Patent which accompanied your despatch marked " General," of the 27th Eebruary, 1879. In compliance with the request contained in that despatch, I now return, for the purpose of being cancelled, the Commissions of the 7th November, 1874, and the 19th December, 1878, appointing Administrators of the Government of New Zealand. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach.