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goodwill and esteem of my neighbours, as was exemplified in their raising a subscription (totally unasked) and forwarding it to me whilst a patient in the hospital. In reference to the foregoing, my Lord, I would wish to state that there are now only about nineteen men left who were discharged when the regiment left who arc not in possession of a permanent pension, so kindly granted to their more fortunate comrades; and I believe that if a representation was made to the Home authorities, that we too would be made recipients of so great a boon. I would add that I feci it a peculiar hardship that men with less service and less goodconduct badges, who were discharged by the same regimental board as myself, should have this indulgence granted them, whilst I, through being in the country, was unable to apply for it in time, and have consequently, with a few of my old comrades, been left out in the cold. As an instance of this anomaly I would bring to your notice the case of two men of the regiment (Privates John Carpenter and Patrick Guerin) employed for years by the same man in Parnell. The latter applied in time and got lid. a day; the former, with more service, received nil. The importance of the subject to me, my Lord, must prove an excuse for the length of this communication; but I cannot conclude without believing that if your Lordship would kindly bring the subject to the notice of the colonial Government, that steps would be taken to bring the subject before the Home authorities, with a view to the men who were too late in applying being placed in the same position as their fortunate comrades. I am, &c, Thomas Bacon, Late Private 65th Regiment.

No. 77. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 9.) Government House, Wellington, Sir,— New Zealand, Bth March, 1880. I at once brought under the consideration of my Ministers your circular despatch of the 16th September last, transmitting a copy of the report of the Royal Commission on Copyright, together with a copy of a Bill which has been laid before Parliament to give effect to the recommendations of the majority of the Commissioners, and expressing the desire of Her Majesty's Government to be furnished with as little delay as possible with the views of this Government upon those parts of the Bill which more particularly affect the colonies. 2. In consequence of the pressure of business towards the close of the late session the Law Officers Avere unable to deal with this matter earlier ; but I have now the honor to forward a copy of a memorandum which I have received from the Premier, explaining the views of Ministers with reference to the proposed Bill. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach.

Enclosure in No. 77. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier presents his respectful compliments to the Governor, and has the honor to enclose herewith a memorandum by the Solicitor-General upon the report of the Copyright Commissioners and the Imperial Bill upon the subject, transmitted by the Secretary of State, in his despatch of 16th September, and which were forwarded by His Excellency for consideration by Ministers. 2. Ministers concur generally in the opinions expressed by the Solicitor-General. 3. They think, however, that subclause 2 of clause 40 of the Bill should be modified so as to provide specifically that if in any British possession sufficient provision is not made within a reasonable time, by or on behalf of the copyright owner, whether by means of a reprint or otherwise, for supplying a book in number and manner suitable for general circulation, then no percentage shall be payable to the copyright owner in respect of the sale in such possessions of reprinted copies of such book. Wellington, sth March, 1880. John Hall.