A.—l.

No. 13. (No. 24.) Sir,— Government House, Wellington, sth April, 1901. I have the honour to request that Mr. Alfred Jerome Cadman may receive His Majesty's gracious permission to retain the title of "Honourable" for life. Mr. Cadman has been a Minister of the Crown and a member of the Executive Council for the last ten years. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 14. (No. 25.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 10th April, 1901. I have the honour to forward you herewith a roll of the Seventh Contingent who left Wellington for South Africa in steamer " Gulf of Taranto " on the 6th instant: 28 officers, 3 medical officers, and 562 non-commissioned officers and men. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies

No. 15. (No. 26.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 10th April, 1901. I have the honour to forward herewith an address of sympathy and loyalty from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand for His Majesty's acceptance. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 16. (No. 28.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 13th April, 1901. In conformity with your circular despatch of the Bth December, 1898, regarding the gold and silver production of the colony, I have the honour to inform you that the quantities of gold and silver entered for export for the year ended 31st December, 1900, were 373,616 oz., equal to 11,621-02 kilogrammes, valued at £1,439,602, and 311,136 0t,., equal to 9,677 - 63 kilogrammes, valued at =£35,390, respectively. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1899, No. 37.

No. 17. (No. 32.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 4th May, 1901. With reference to my telegram of the 3rd May, relative to " The Defence Act Amendment Act, 1900," I have the honour to inform you that I received a telegram when on the West Coast, from my Premier, asking me to cable regarding this Bill, as there were certain contracts for ammunition which were unable to be signed until it became law. On receipt of your telegram of the Ist May I found that the SolicitorGeneral had advised the Premier that this Bill had been reserved owing to a misinterpretation of paragraph 2 of your despatch (No. 15) of the Bth February, 1901. I regret the error; but, owing to my absence at the Cook Islands when this Bill came from Parliament for Governor's signature, I was not personally aware of the details, the Acting Governor, Sir Eobert Stout, having dealt with this matter. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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