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A.—l

No. 5. (No. 35.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 12th June, 1899. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—General) dated the 20th January, 1899, on the subject of the Shipping and Seamen's Act, I have the honour to inform you that my Government propose to introduce a Bill embodying the amendments suggested by the Board of Trade. I have, &c, The Bight Hon. J. Chamberlain, &c, BANFUBLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1900, No. 1.

No. 6. (No. 37.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 17th June, 1899. With reference to your despatch circular dated the 10th February, 1899, relative to the bankruptcy law, I have the honour to inform you that my Government advise that there is no provision in the New Zealand bankruptcy law giving a preference to creditors resident in the colony as against creditors not so resident. The law of this colony is contained in " The Bankruptcy Act, 1892," the 120 th section of which, after providing for the payment of certain preferential claims, such as costs, rent, wages, &c, declares that the money received by the assignee from the realisation of the bankrupt's property shall be applied by him in payment, pari passu, of all debts provable and proved in the bankruptcy. 2. The local law as to the distribution of assets appears to be identified with the English law, although in New Zealand, as in England, no doubt occasional differences may arise as regards dealing with real property and conflict of authority between local arid foreign jurisdictions in the administration of estates. 3. I have further the honour to state that this matter will again be considered by my Government. I have, &c. The Bight Hon. J. Chamberlain, BANFUBLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1900. No. 4.

No. 7. (No. 38.) Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 20th June, 1899. With reference to your despatch circular dated the 2nd March, 1899, relative to instruction in art, I have the honour to inform you that my Government would be glad to procure such a set of works as are referred to in your despatch on the terms proposed. I have, &c, The Bight Hon. J. Chamberlain, BANFUBLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1900, No. 6.

No. 8. (No. 39.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd June, 1899. I have the honour to inform you that there are now six vacancies in the Legislative Council. Acting on the advice of my Ministers, I have filled three of these, having sanctioned the appointment of the following gentlemen to the Council : Mr. Francis H. Fraser, of Wellington; Mr. Hugh Gourley, of Dunedin; Colonel Albert Pitt, of Nelson. I enclose a newspaper extract showing these gentlemen's qualifications. I have, &c, The Bight Hon. J. Chamberlain. BANFUBLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies,