31

A.—l.

No. 51. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hecules Robinson, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 46.) Government House, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 12th August, 1879. I have the honor to transmit to you copies of all Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand during their late session, together with a synopsis of the same, prepared by the Solicitor-General. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach.

Enclosure in No. 51. Synopsis on the Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand in the Session of Parliament held in the Months of July and August of the Year 1879. The Public General Statutes. No. 1. The Imprest Supply Act authorizes an advance of .€300,000 by way of imprest for the service of the year ending 30th June, 1880, the money to be charged in manner expressed in the Appropriation Act of the session appropriating the same. No. 2. The New Zealand Loan Act authorizes the borrowing and raising of not exceeding €5,000,000, for immigration and construction of public works, and for other purposes. No. 3. The Maori Prisoners' Trials Act is passed for the purposes sufficiently expressed in the preamble to the Act. It remains in force only until thirty days after the commencement of the next session of the Parliament. No. 4. The Appropriation Act appropriates a total sum of €1,589,827 for the public service for the three months ending 30th September, 1879, the said sum to be finally charged in manner to be expressed in the Appropriation Act to be passed in the next ensuing session of the Parliament.

No. 52. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 47.) Government House, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 14th August, 1879. In reply to your circular despatch of 6th May, 1879, transmitting a copy of a letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, requesting information as to the course pursued in the colonies "on the death of intestates without kin," and in which you also ask me to furnish you with copies of any laws in force in this colony dealing with this matter, as well as with any other information on the subject which may appear likely to be useful to their Lordships in connection with this question, I have now the honor to transmit to you a copy of a memorandum upon the subject, addressed to me by the Premier, forwarding a copy of a memorandum by the Public Trustee of the colojiy, giving details respecting the course pursued.in New Zealand, and also copies of colonial Acts upon the subject. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach.

Enclosure in No. 52. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier has the honor to forward to His Excellency the Governor copy of a memorandum by the Public Trustee of the colony, giving details respecting the course pursued in New Zealand "on the death of intestates without known kin," which information was asked for by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in a despatch dated May 6th. Copies of colonial Acts relating to the subject are also forwarded, as requested by the Secretary of State. G, Grey. Wellington, 14th August, 1879.