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that they may be empowered to confer Degrees in Science, together with the recommendations of my Ministers that Her Majesty may be advised favourably to consider the petition. I have, &c, JAMES PRENDERGAST. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies,

! For other papers re University, see E.-5,1883.

No. 6. His Excellency the Administrator to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (No. 64.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 28th August, 1882. I have the honour to inform you, with reference to your Lordship's Despatch, No. 29, of the 29th June, 1882, that (as therein instructed) I have written to the promoters of the Christchurch Exhibition (Messrs. Joubert and Twopeny), conveying to them the Queen's thanks for the Gold Medal transmitted to Her Majesty, in commemoration of the opening of the Exhibition. I have, &c, JAMES PRENDERGAST. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, No. 5.

No. 7. His Excellency the Administrator to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (No. 67.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 6th September, 1882. I have the honour, in reply to your Lordship's Despatch, marked " General," of the 12th June, 1882, respecting the expedition to New Zealand to observe the Transit of Venus, to enclose a memorandum from the Premier (Mr. Whitaker), in which I am requested to inform your Lordship that the Colonial Treasurer will hold the sum of £500 at the disposal of the head of the party, for their expenses ; and that the Government of the Colony will carry oat the wishes of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, as expressed in their letter of the 6th June. My Government further assure me that every facility will be afforded to the members of the expedition to carry out the object they have in view. With regard to the memoranda referred to in the enclosed memorandum of the Premier, I find, on reference, that copies of these documents have already been transmitted to your Lordship, in his Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon's Despatch, No. 16, of the 28th February, 1882. i I have, &c, JAMES PRENDERGAST. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier returns to His Excellency the Administrator of the Government the Despatch of June 12th, from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, respecting the party to be sent from England to New Zealand for the purpose of observing the Transit of Venus, in December next; and has the honour to request that His Excellency will reply to Lord Kimberley, that the Colonial Treasurer will meet the wishes of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury—in compliance with the terms of their Lordships' letter, and of their circular, " Financial Instructions for the guidance of the Chiefs of the several Observing Parties " —by holding £500 at the disposal of Colonel Tupman. The readiness of the Government to aid the Observing Party generally was stated in Memorandum No. 7, of the 22nd February last, upon the Colonial Office circular of June sth, 1881 ; and there was forwarded with that memorandum copy of one by Dr. Hector, stating the steps proposed to be taken, on behalf of the Government, for that purpose. Wellington, September sth, 1882, Fred. Whitaker,

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