A.—l

6

number of prisoners, guns, rifles, ammunition, wagons, &c, captured by the New Zealand Contingents in South Africa or by the columns in which the New Zealand Contingents were serving. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

a.-2, 1904, NOi 15-

No. 16. (No. 100.) Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 15th October, 1903. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand, No. 65), dated the 4th September, 1903, on the subject of the Pacific cable, I have the honour to inform you that the sum of £57 lis. 7d. will be imprested the Agent-General for payment to the Imperial authorities, this being the balance of New Zealand's share of the loss in the working of the Pacific cable for the two years ended the 31st March, 1903. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1904, No. 17.

No. 17. (No. 109.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 20th November, 1903. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand, Miscellaneous), dated c September, 1903, I have the honour to acknowledge the new seal prepared for the Government of New Zealand, together with a warrant authorising its use, and the new press. My Government ask that the old seal, which I forward you by this mail, may be returned to the colony after it has been defaced. A similar request was granted in 1881. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No 18. (No. 111.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 1st December, 1903. With reference to my telegram of the 23rd November, regarding my having assented to " The Preferential and Reciprocal Trade Act, 1903," I have the honour, in accordance therewith, to forward the Act duly sealed, accompanied by a statement signed by the Attorney-General, that in his opinion the Royal assent may properly be given thereto. On receiving the Bill, I sent for the Attorney-General and discussed the question, pointing out that this Bill certainly came within the Bills not to be assented to under clause 6 of section 4 of the Royal Instructions. He explained to me the urgent necessity of signing, as it was a tariff measure, and that under the concluding paragraph of clause 6 there was no reason for reserving, as the Bill contained nothing repugnant to the law of England, or inconsistent with any obligations imposed by treaty. My Premier also pointed out that, if reserved, the whole country might be in the meantime flooded with foreign goods. Under these circumstances, though still personally considering that the Bill is one that should have been reserved; I assented on behalf of His Majesty, as I considered that if reserved its purpose would be largely frustrated, and harm would accrue to the trade of the colony. I have the honour to request that you will advise me by cable if His Majesty has been pleased to allow the same. I have, &c, The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.