A.—4.

132

Vlll.-X'ew Hebrides.

Enclosure 1. Memobandum from the Chief Inspectob of Customs to the Hon. tho Commissioner of Customs. Dynamite, I find, is beginning to bo exported from New Zealand to some of tho South Sea Islands. During last quarter, 1121b. wore shipped to the Navigators, and 3001b. to Cook Islands. It is used, I understand, for fishing purposes ; but so dangerous a substance is not fit to be trusted in the hands of ignorant natives. In addition to the danger to the traders themselves, which might result from the use of it by treacherous savages, as pointed out by Mr. Consul Layard, it is quite possible to imagine that it might be usod by unscrupulous Europeans with devastating effect against the lives of natives, if quarrels should arise with, them, when crowding round a'Vcssel in their canoes. I submit, therefore, that- it is worthy of consideration wheliirv this cfengorous explosive should not be prohibited from being exported to tho islands. This could be done by Proclamation or Order in Council, under the 123rd section of " The Customs Regulation Act, 1858." 2nd October, 1879. W. Seed.

Enclosure 2. Exportation of Dynamite £p. South Sea Islands prohibited, Heboules Robinson, Governor. ORDER IN COUNCIL. At the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-fifth day of November, 1879. Present: — His Excellency the Govebjtob in Council. Whekeas by " The Customs Regulation Act, 1858," it is, amongst otliar things, enacted that any goods.whatever may, by Proclamation or Order of the Governor in Council, revocable from time to time, be prohibited to be exported, and, if any goods shall be exported tarn the colony contrary to any such prohibition, or be waterborno' to be so exported or carried, they shall bo forfeited, and any person offending against the provisions of any such Proclamation or order shall for every such offence forfeit and ]).'■■ ihe surn^pf five hundred pounds : And whereas it is advisable to prohibit the exportation of dynamite to the South Sea Islands : Now, therefore, His Excellency the Governor'of the Colony of New Zealand, by and with the advice of the Executive Council of the said colony, doth,-in pursuance of the hereinbefore-rocited provisions of the said Act, by this present order, absolutely prohibit the exportation of dynamite from New Zealand to any of the South Sea islands. FOBSTEK GOBING, Clerk of the Executive Council.

No. 7. .The Eight Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor Sir Hercules Kobinson. Sir,— Downing Street, 29th January, 1830. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 74, of the 3rd December. I have learned with satisfaction that an Order in Council has been issued, prohibiting the exportation of dynamite from New Zealand to any of the South Sea Islands. I have, &c. Governor Sir Hercules Robinson. M. E. Hicks Beach.