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No. 8. (No. 13.) Sib,— Dunedin, 22nd February, 1887. With reference to my Despatch No. 6, of the 24th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that Sir W. Fitzherbert, K.C.M.G., Speaker of the Legislative Council, has been appointed to act with Sir Francis Bell, the AgentGeneral, as representative for this colony at the approaching Conference. Sir William Fitzherbert left New Zealand yesterday for England via Melbourne, and should arrive in London early in April. The commission, which I have signed, for the appointment of these two gentlemen should reach the Agent-General by this mail. I have, &c, W. F. DBUMMOND JEEYOIS. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 1.

No. 9. (No. 14.) Sir,— Dunedin, 22nd February, 1887. I have the honour to report the execution, on the 21st instant, of two convicts named John Caffrey and Henry Albert Perm, for the murder of a man named Eobert Taylor at Great Barrier Island, Hauraki Gulf, on the 19th June, 1886. The jury which found the prisoners guilty of the crime recommended them to mercy ; but Mr. Justice Ward, before whom the case was tried, wrote strongly in opposition to this recommendation, and, after full consideration, I entirely concurred in his opinion. The crime was one of peculiar atrocity, and attended by many circumstances aggravating the guilt of the prisoners. I had therefore no hesitation in agreeing with the opinion of my Executive Council that the law should take its course. I have, &c, W. F. DBUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 10. (No. 15.) Sir,— Dunedin, 22nd February, 1887. With reference to Mr. Stanhope's Despatch No. 92, of the 7th of December last, with letters from the Eegistrar of London University respecting the matriculation examination, I have the honour to forward for transmission to the Eegistrar the answer-papers of Mr. Charles Spencer and Mr. Thomas Little, the only candidates who presented themselves for examination; together with copies of letters from the Sub-Examiners appointed to conduct the examination at Napier and Dunedin. It will be observed that on this occasion there were only two centres of examination in this colony. 2. The candidates have been informed that if they pass at this examination they cannot sit at any future examination for matriculation to the London University. 3. The Agent-General has been instructed to pay to the Eegistrar £4, being the amount of the matriculation fees received here from the candidates. I have, &c, W. F. DEUMMOND JEEYOIS. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosures 1 and 2. [Answeb-papeks of Mr. Charles Spencer and Mr. Thomas Little sent Home.]