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Private Act. 1. "The Hawera County Electric Lighting Act, 1902."—Enabling the Hawera County Electric Company (Limited) to supply electrical energy for lighting and other purposes in the Hawera Borough and surrounding districts.

No. 26. (No. 91.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 27th October, 1902. 1 have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your circular despatch, dated the 10th July, 1902, referring to a letter from the Russian Ambassador to the Marquess of Lansdowne asking for information respecting colonial legislation in regard to accidents caused by agricultural machinery and precautions for their prevention. I have the honour to enclose you a copy of pamphlet of the New Zealand Labour Laws (third edition), containing " Accidents Compensation Act, 1901," Inspection of Machinery Acts, and "Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act, 1901 " ; and, separately, copy of " Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act Amendment Act, 1902.*" I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, ROBERT STOUT, Secretary of State for the Colonies. Deputy Governor.

A.- , " No. 29.

No. 27. (No. 93.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 19th November, 1902. Referring to your despatch, No. 2, of the 4th January, 1902, relating to postage rates between New Zealand and Oceania, I have the honour to state :— (1.) That my Ministers regret that the French Government has not seen its way to accede to the arrangements proposed. (2.) They suggest that a unilateral arrangement might be come to under which letters prepaid Id. in New Zealand for each half-ounce might be accepted as deliverable in the Oceanic possessions without surcharge, the French Post Office continuing to charge correspondence from tbeir possessions at the present rates. (3.) The French Government seem unaware that the Government of New Zealand specially subsidise a steamer for carrying mails between New Zealand and Tahiti. (4.) My Ministers hope that this modified proposal will be submitted to the French Government, and that, seeing there is in New Zealand a subsidised mailsteamer between this colony and Tahiti, this proposal may be accepted. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, ROBERT STOUT, Secretary of State for the Colonies. Deputy Governor.

A.-2, 1902, No. 109.

No. 28. (No. 99.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 15th December, 1902. In reply to your despatch No. 90, dated the 4th September, 1902, respecting certain certificates said to have been required by my Government from His Majesty's Consul-General at San Francisco, I have the honour to inform you that, so far as my Ministers are aware, no such certificates are required by this Government, nor are they required by their Honours the Judges of the Supreme Court of New Zealand in connection with proceedings in the Courts. My Government think that Mr. Bennett must have been mistaken in mentioning New Zealand in connection with this subject. I have, &c. The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RAN FURL Y. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A—2, 1903. No. 39.