A.—l

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Legislature of New Zealand, transcripts of which accompanied your Despatch No. 23, of the 28th June, viz.:— No. 1, entitled "An Act to provide that certain Islands in No. 12. "An Act to amend "Tho Counties Act, 1886.'" the South Pacific Ocean, known as the Kermadec No. 13. "An Act to amend ' The Mining Act, 1886.' " Group, shall become Part of New Zealand, and subject No. 14. "An Act to extend the Provisions of ' The Public to the Laws thereof." Revenues Act, 1882,' for the Appropriation of the Public No. 2. "An Act to declare the Boroughs of Cambridge Moneys until the Thirtieth Day of September, One and Hastings to be Boroughs under 'The Municipal thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven, and to make Corporations Act, 1886.' " further Provision for the Public Service until the said No. 3. " An Act to amend ' The Post Office Act, 1881.' " Day." No. 4. "An Act to amend the Law relating to the Local Acts. Guardianship and Contracts of Infants." No. 1. "An Act to empower the Borough Council of No. 5. "An Act to amend ' The Banks and Bankers Act, Sydenham to erect Gasworks." 1880.' " ]Sfo. 2. An Act to define the Limits of Reclamation by the No. 6. "An Act to amend the Law regulating the Regis- Corporation of Wellington in the Harbour of Wellingtration of Electors, and the Conduct of Elections for ton, and to provide Powers for effecting a Reclamation Members of the House of Representatives." within such Limits, and to vest certain Lands in the No. 7. "An Act to provide for the periodical Readjust- Wellington Harbour Board." ment of the Representation of the People of New Pevon^ni A^t rr l l ■ l tt £ T-i li' iL i9l -*■ t'""'^ JILL. Zealand in the House of KopreacntativcK thereof. ~T , , ~. _. , , , _~ '. , _ ~ No. 8. "An Act to amend 'The Interpretation Act, No 3 ''An Act to conserve the Rights of Cnarles Dudley -joyo , ii Robert Ward, lisquire, as a Civil Servant, notwithstandNo. 9.'"An Act to continue in Operation 'The West- ing his Acceptance of Office temporarily as a Judge of land and Grey Education Boards Act, 1885.' " the Supreme Court. No. 10. " An Act to amend the Law relating to certain frwate Act. Securities and Contracts respecting Chattel Property." No. 1. "An Act to enable the Wellington Gas Company No. 11. "An Act to amend " The Building Societies (Limited) to supply the Townships of the Hutt and Act, 1880.' " Petone and their Suburbs or Vicinities with Gas." I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

A.-l, 1888, No. 2.

No. 36. (New Zealand, No. 54.) Sic, — Downing Street, 22nd August, 1887. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Admiralty inquiring when the decision of the several colonies on the draft agreement for an increase of the naval force in Australian waters may be expected to be known. On the receipt of this letter I caused the telegram of which a copy is enclosed to be sent to you. I trust that this matter will receive the early attention of your Government. I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jeivois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

Enclosure. Sib,— Admiralty, 16th August, 1887. Eeferring to Admiralty letter of 2nd May last, enclosing a draft agreement between the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Governments of Her Majesty's Colonies of Now South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand for the creation and maintenance of an additional naval force to be employed for the protection of the floating trade in Australasian waters, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will move Secretary Sir Henry Holland, to cause them to be informed when it may be expected that the Australasian Colonial Governments will communicate their decision upon this draft agreement, as it is desirable that arrangements should be made as soon as possible for making the financial provisions necessary in the ensuing financial year for the charge likely to fall upon Imperial funds in carrying out such an agreement. I have, &c, E. D. Awdey. The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, Colonial Office, S.W.

No. 37. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, Ist September, 1887. I have the honour to refer you to the report in the Times newspaper of a question asked in Parliament by Mr. Kimber and answered by the First Lord of the Treasury on the 15th ultimo, from which you will see that it has been suggested that funds for promoting colonisation may be provided by the public