See Journals, L.C., 1882, pages 37 and 38.

A.—l.

Premier, Mr. Whitaker, on the subject of the medical examination in New Zealand of candidates for military cadetships. I have, &c, A. GORDON. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier presents his respectful compliments to tho Governor, and returns to His Excellency the papers respecting candidates for cadetships at the Boyal Military College, Sandhurst. There is not in New Zealand any such officer as " Surgeon-Major of the Local Forces." The Premier has, therefore, the honour to request that, in replying to the Despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, His Excellency will ask that, as regards this Colony, the certificate of a medical officer in attendance on the Armed Constabulary, at any of the larger towns, may he accepted as evidence of the physical fitness of a candidate nominated by the New Zealand Ministry. Ered. Whitaker. Wellington, 17th May, 1882.

No. 3. His Excellency the Administrator to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (No. 38.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 24th June, 1882. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that Sir Arthur Gordon having this day left New Zealand, on leave of absence, I have (under the Dormant Commission, which in these circumstances delegates to the Chief Justice the Governor's powers) taken the required oaths, administered by Mr. Justice Richmond, in the presence of the Executive Council, and assumed the administration of the Government. I have, &c, JAMES PRENDERGAST. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 4. His Excellency the Administrator to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (No. 39.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 28th June, 1882. I have the honour to forward to your Lordship a letter from the Speaker of the Legislative Council, giving cover to the protests of two members of that House (the Hon. Captain Eraser and the Hon. Mr. Mantell) upon the third reading of the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill, which has just passed the local Legislature, and a copy of which I have also the honour to enclose for your Lordship's information. 2. Ministers, to whom I have communicated these protests before forwarding them to your Lordship, desire to make no observations on them. I have, &c, JAMES PRENDERGAST. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 5. His Excellency the Administrator to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (No. 41.) My Lord, — Government House, Well'ngton, Ist July, 1882, I have the honour to forward to your Lordship, for submission to Her Majesty, a petition from the Senate of the University of New Zealand, praying

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