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Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. Premier's Office, Wellington, 16th June, 1892. The Premier begs respectfully to submit, for His Excellency's information, copy of a letter received from Captain Daveney, of the Imperial Pensions Office, Auckland, suggesting that a concession that has recently been granted to soldiers of Her Majesty's army who served in the Crimean and Indian Mutiny campaigns might be extended to soldiers who served in the Maori war. The Premier hopes that His Excellency will recommend the matter for the favourable consideration of the Imperial Government. J. Ballance.

Sub-enclosure. Sir, — Imperial Pensions Office, Auckland, 30th May, 1892. I take the liberty of addressing you relative to a concession that has lately been granted to soldiers of Her Majesty's army who served in the Crimean and Indian Mutiny campaigns. The concession is this : that as it is required by the Boyal Warrants fourteen years' service for a soldier to obtain a deferred pension at the age of fifty years : this minimum number of years has been reduced to ten years, and it means that those who only enlisted for the first period of service will now receive a pension. I cannot help expressing the opinion that, if the Government of this colony made representations, say, through its Agent-General in London to the present Government in England, the same concession might be extended to Her Majesty's soldiers who fought during the Maori wars. This would mean an immense boon to a very great number of soldiers who are domiciled in this colony ; in fact, I believe that there are over a thousand men residing here who were present during the wars. Of course the concession granted to the men in England has much increased the popularity of the Government, and I am convinced that, if a similar action was taken here, hundreds interested would be most thankful to those who had so materially added to their worldly welfare, more especially as this Government has done so much by awarding them land, or money in lieu thereof, for their services to the colony. I have, &c, Burton J. Daveney, The Hon. the Premier. Officer paying Pensions at Auckland.

No. 5. (No. 35.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 12th July, 1892. I have the honour to report, for your information, that, in consequence cf the lamented death of the Speaker of the Legislative Council (the late Sir Harry Atkinson, K.C.M.G.), that Chamber proceeded to elect his successor, which they did for the first time on the Bth instant in terms of powers given them by an Act passed in 1891 (No. 25), entitled " An Act to alter the Mode of making Appointments of Members to the Legislative Council, and to regulate Vacancies therein." And I have further to report to your Lordship that the Council have appointed the Hon. Henry John Miller to fill the vacant chair. I have, &c, GLASGOW. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c.

No. 6. (No. 36.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 12th July, 1892. I have the honour to report, for your information, that I opened the Third Session of the Eleventh Parliament of New Zealand on the 23rd day of June last, and beg to transmit herewith copies (two) of the Speech that I read on that occasion ; and also copies (two) of each of the Addresses in Eeply which have been presented to me by the Legislative Council and the House of representatives respectively. I have, &c, GLASGOW. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c.