A.—l

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master-General of New Zealand, and unanimously agreed to, that, in the opinion of the Conference, one representative should be sent from Australasia on behalf of all the colonies to represent them at the Conference. That representative has not as yet, in so far as I am advised, been appointed. The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, &c. 'GLASGOW.

No. 21. (No. 7.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 28th April, 1893. In reply to your Despatch No. 2, dated 9th January, 1893, transmitting a letter from the Foreign Office enclosing a note from Her Majesty's Charge d'Affaires at Washington, forwarding a resolution of the United States Senate with accompanying correspondence on the subject of the land-claims of Mr. William Webster, I have the honour to inform you that, on receipt, your despatch was immediately laid before my Ministers, and the Premier lost no time in communicating with Sir Eobert Stout, K.C.M.G., who was Premier and AttorneyGeneral when the matter was previously under the consideration of the New Zealand Government, and who was consequently well informed as to all the facts of the case. I have now the honour to enclose a memorandum* drawn up by Sir Eobert Stout, transmitted to me by the Premier, which contains what my Government deems a sufficient reply to Mr. Foster's inquiry ; and I beg to draw your attention to the opinion expressed by the Premier that there are no sufficient facts calling for a reinvestigation of Mr. Webster's claims, or for agreeing to any arbitration concerning them. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Marquis of Eipon, &c. GLASGOW.

A.-2,1893. No. 10.

* For enclosure, see A.-4, 1893.