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No. 33. (No. 54.) Sib, — Government House, Wellington, 31st May, 1887. I have the honour to forward herewith a memorandum from my Ministers covering a letter from Mr. E. Laishley, of Auckland, in which that gentleman requests permission to wear certain foreign decorations which have been bestowed upon him in recognition of his labours with regard to State education. I beg to submit Mr. Laishley's request for favourable consideration. I have, &c, W. F. DRUMMOND JEBVOIS. The Right Hon. Sir H. Holland, Bart., M.P., G.C.M.G.

Enclosure. The Pbemiek to His Excellency the Governor. (Memorandum.) 10th May, 1887. The Premier has the honour to forward the accompanying letter from Mr. E. Laishley, of Auckland, in which that gentleman applies to be permitted to wear certain decorations of foreign Orders which have been conferred upon him in recognition of his writings, &c, on State education in Europe and America. The Premier can add nothing to Mr. Laishley's statement, but bears witness to the valuable nature of his work ; and he therefore begs respectfully to request that His Excellency will be pleased to recommend Mr. Laishley's application for favourable consideration. Eobert Stout.

No. 34. (No. 57.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 15th June, 1887. I have the honour to report that my Ministers, having been defeated on their financial proposals (a statement of which I forwarded in my Despatch No. 52, of the 19th instant), by forty-two votes against thirty-eight, exclusive of pairs, unanimously advised a dissolution of Parliament, and that I accepted their advice. I enclose copies of their memorandum advising a dissolution, and of my reply thereto. At the time-of the defeat of the Government a new Representation Bill was before Parliament, and had, in fact, been passed in the House of Representatives. This Act was intended to replace the Representation Act of 1881, which was to expire on the Ist of December next. As will be seen from their memorandum, my Ministers, in asking for a dissolution, undertook to use every effort to get the new Bill passed, and on the Ist instant the Act was carried through the Legislative Council. Amendments were subsequently introduced, in accordance with a message from me to Parliament, with a view of shortening the period necessary for bringing the measure into operation ; and the Act in its amended form received my assent on the 6th instant. The House, on the Bth instant, granted supplies for the period asked for by the Government, namely, to the end of September, which is approximately the date on which it is estimated that it will be possible to bring the provisions of the new Act into force, and for the new Parliament to meet. I prorogued Parliament by Commission on the 10th instant, and the dissolution will take place as soon as the new electoral districts are gazetted. I have, &c, W. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. Sir H. Holland, Bart., M.P., G.C.M.G.

No. 31.

Enclosure. . The Premier to His Excellency the Goveknok. (Memorandum.) Eepeeeing to the conversation I had with your Excellency to-day, when I intimated that I had the honour to advise your Excellency to grant a dissolution of Parliament in consequence of a resolution carried in the House early this morning disapproving of the financial policy of the Government, I have, in compliance with your Excellency's request, to state in writing the proposal and advice of the Ministry.

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