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No. 15. (No. 53.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 4th August, 1899. In continuation of my despatch of the 27th June, 1899, relative to an Acting Consul for Samoa, I have the honour to inform you that Major Mair arrived at Apia on the 30th June, and found that Mr. Eliot, Her Majesty's High Commissioner in Samoa, had already installed Mr. Hunter as British Consul there. Mr. Eliot, however, requested Major Mair to remain, and has apparently appointed him to investigate claims for losses made by British subjects. I have, &c, The Bight Hon. J. Chamberlain, BANFUBLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 10.

No. 16. (No. 57.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 4th August, 1899. I have the honour to enclose you a paper relating to old-age pensions, laid before both Houses of the Legislature, giving the workings of that Act up to the 31st March last. Deeming this question would be of more than ordinary interest at the present time, I have obtained further details, bringing the working of the Act up to the 30th June last. On this date the number of claims established was 9,505; the number rejected, 1,028 ; the number withdrawn, 394; and the number partly investigated, postponed, or awaiting investigation, 1,639 : making a total of 12,566 claims. Of the 9,505 claims established, 9,316 are at the present moment in force receiving pensions, 157 deaths having occurred, and thirty-two having been cancelled for various reasons. A very satisfactory feature in connection with the working of the Act has been the very few attempts at fraud and misrepresentation. My Government are of opinion that when the first claims have been dealt with the number of deaths will be almost equal to the number of new claims made. The appropriation for this year is .£150,000, and my Premier estimates that this will more than cover the requisite payments. [ no tta CVO The Bight. Hon. J. Chamberlain, BANFUBLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosures. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier presents his compliments to His Excellency, and has the honour to transmit herewith two copies of the Report upon Old-age Pensions (H.-18), laid before Parliament pursuant to section 62 of " The Old-age Pensions Act, 1898," and also a return bringing the transactions up to the 30th of June last. The number of deaths is significant, as the cancellations for various reasons amount to only thirty-two out of a total of over nine thousand. A very satisfactory feature in connection with the return has been the few attempts at fraud and misrepresentation. The Premier is of opinion that when the first claims have been investigated and have assumed a normal condition the number of deaths will almost equal the number of claims made. The appropriations for this purpose have been taken by the Premier for this year at £150,000, which is estimated to more than cover the payments required. 3rd August, 1899. R. J. Seddon.

" Old-age Pensions Act, 1898."—Statement of Claims, as on 30th June, 1899. Number of claims established ... ... ... ... ... 9,505 „ rejected ... ... ... ... ... 1,028 „ withdrawn ... ... ... ... ... 394 Number of claims awaiting investigation, inclusive of claims partly investigated and postponed ... ... ... ... ... 1,639 Total ... ... ... ... 13,566