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No. 21. (No. 118.) Str, — Government House, Wellington, 14th December, 1903. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand, Miscellaneous), dated the 18th September, 1903, on the subject of bonuses being presented to various colonial contingents which served in the late war in South Africa, I have the honour to inform you that my Government point out that ten New Zealand contingents went to South Africa, and that it would be a great favour if the number could be extended to ten banners, and thus avoid heartburnings to the last three contingents. It has not yet been determined in what manner the banners will be distributed; but the Government desire that they should be presented by the Governor on the first suitable occasion after their receipt. I have, &c, RANFURLY. The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A. 2,1903, No. 5.

No. 22. (No. 120.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 24th December, 1903. In reply to your despatch (General) of the 9th April, 1903, I have the honour to forward you six copies of an Act to amend the law relating to legal practitioners, passed last session. 1. It will be observed that this Act provides (section 2) for the admission in New Zealand, without examination, of barristers and solicitors who have been in practice in the United Kingdom for not less than three years. 2. Section 3 provides for the reciprocal admission of barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court in other parts of the British dominions. 3. My Government having now provided for the admission not only of s-olicitors of the United Kingdom but also of barristers, without examination, trust that an Order in Council applying the provisions of the Colonial Solicitors Act to New Zealand may now be issued. It is presumed that the Order will contain the conditions laid down by the incorporated Law Society, and set out in Lord Onslow's despatch (General) of the sth February, 1903. 4. It is desired that the Act should apply to this colony as regards the whole of the United Kingdom, unless it is considered that law agents in Scotland are not eligible for admission under the Act of 1903, and in that case that the Imperial Act should be made to apply as regards England and Ireland only. I have, &c, RANFURLY. The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 23. (No. 2.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 7th January, 1904. I have the honour to inform you, with regret, of the death of the Hon. W. C. Walker, C.M.G., Speaker of the Legislative Council. I have, &c, RANFURLY. The Right Hon. A. Lyttelton, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 24. (No. 4.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 15th January, 1904. In reply to your telegram of the 10th December, 1903, regarding the Shipping and Seamen Bill, I have the honour to forward you a full report from the Attorney-General of New Zealand on this " reserved " Bill, showing the changes in the law that will take place should such receive His Majesty's sanction.