A.—l.

hoped to be able to report fully on the subject, as far as New Zealand is concerned, by this mail; but no decision has yet been arrived at, and the matter is at this moment (midnight) under discussion in Parliament. 2. For the same reason I am not yet able to send any reply to the telegram I received from your Lordship, through the Governor of New South Wales, concerning the additional sum required for the Special Commissioner of New Guinea, and the proposed Council to assist him. I understand, however, that my Government are not likely to see their way to accede to either suggestion. I have, &c, Wm. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

No. 10. (No. 91.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 10th November, 1884. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I have this day prorogued by Commission the first session of the ninth Parliament of New Zealand. I have, &c, Wm. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Answer, A.-2, No. 35.

No. 11. (No. 97.) My Lord, — Christchurch, 6th December, 1884. With reference to your Lordship's circular despatch of the 20th September last, I have the honour to state that I have forwarded to the Chairman of the Library Committee of the General Assembly of this colony the copy of the "More Leaves from the Journal of a Life in the Highlands from 1862 to 1882," which Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to present to that library, and am requested by the Committee to assure your Lordship that it will long be treasured as an additional proof of Her Majesty's interest iu New Zealand. I have, &c, Wm. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

A.-2, No. 10.

No. 12. (No. 98.) My Lord, — Christchurch, 6th December, 1884. I have the honour to transmit herewith copies of the Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand during its recent session to which 1 have assented in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty, together with a synopsis prepared by the Solicitor-General. I have, &c, Wm. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Answer, A.-2. No. 36.

No. 13. (No. 99.) My Lord, — Christchurch, 6th December, 1884. In continuation of my Despatch No. 89, of the Bth November last, concerning federation and annexation, I have the honour to state that I am now in a position to report on the subject as far as New Zealand is concerned. 2. The political changes here during the earlier part of the session had the effect of drawing the attention of the Parliament, the Press, and the public entirely to local affairs; and consequently the great importance of these subjects was hardly realized in the colony. Besides, there is certainly a general feeling throughout the country against federation in the ordinary sense of the term,

A.-l, No. 9.

Answer, A.-2, No. 34.

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