A.—2,

16

No. 16. Copy of a DESPATCH from tho Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Norm/INBY. (No. 52.) My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist November, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 14, of the 13th September, informing me of your visit to the Middle Island to open the railway between Christchurch and Dunedin. I have heard with much satisfaction of the completion of this most important work, and have read with interest your remarks respecting the progress of the raihvays generally in New Zealand; I have also noticed Avith much pleasure the important increase of the grain crop of the colony which you report. I have, &c.j M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G, &c.

No. 17. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 53.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 16th November, 1878. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 13, of the 13th of September last, enclosing printed copies of the Statement delivered by the Minister of Public Works on the 27th of August, which I have read with interest. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 18. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Oeeicer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir,—- Downing Street, 27th November, 1878. I have the honor to acquaint you that the Secretary of State for War has represented that, under the provisions of the Eoyal Warrant for Promotions of the 13th August, 1877, it is no longer possible to allow an officer to hold the appointment of aide-de-camp to a colonial Governor, or any other colonial appointment, without replacing him in his regiment; and that under these circumstances the additional cost of appointing an officer to such a post will not now bo limited to the staff pay and allowances, but will involve the increased charge of his regimental pay, which in the case of a captain is £211 per annum. 2. As the conditions on which aides-de-camp have been allowed to colonial Governors have been that the whole additional charge shall be met by the colony, it will in future be necessary for the colonies either to pay the full regimental pay of these officers, when claimed by the War Office, in addition to the staff pay and allowances, or—which the Secretary of State for War thinks will be the most convenient course —to make arrangements with each officer to pay him his total emoluments for the whole term of service fixed for the appointment. 3. It is to be understood that the amount of the staff pay and allowances of an aide-de-camp to a colonial Governor may be fixed at such rates as each colonial Government may decide upon. 4. The regimental pay of such officers will continue to be defrayed from Imperial funds until the 31st of March next inclusive, but from that date either it must be defrayed from colonial funds, as well as the staff pay and allowances, or the officers must return to their regiments, from which they can no longer be spared. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government M. E. HICKS BEACH. of New Zealand.