A.—l

2

A.-2, 1903, No. 65.

No 1 (No. 33.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 21st April, 1903. I have with regret to announce to you that the following gentlemen of the Legislative Council have died within the past month : — Hon. Sir George S. Whitmore, K.C.M.G. Hon. Captain George B. Morris. Hon. Dr. Morgan S. Grace, C.M.G Hon. William Swanson. I have, &c, RANFURLY. The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 2. (No. 36.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 30th April, 1903. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand, General), dated the sth February, 1903, relative to the proposed application to New Zealand of " The Colonial Solicitors Act, 1900," I have the honour to inform you that my Government are prepared to meet the views of the Incorporated Law Society, and am prepared to arrange for provision being made by law and regulation for the observance of the conditions stipulated by the said Society ; and an amendment of the law as indicated in the second paragraph of the despatch on the subject will be made, in order to provide that English barristers and solicitors who have been practising in New Zealand for not less than three years shall be entitled to practise in this colony without further examination. [ have The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, ' RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 3. (No. 39.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd May, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that my Government have asked me to make inquiry as to the cause of the delay in allocating and forwarding trophies connected with the late South African war. They are particularly anxious that the guns captured by the NewZealanders, besides other relics and trophies of the war, should be sent to the colony as soon as possible. I have, &c, the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 4. (No. 43.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 13th May, 1903. At the request of my Premier I have the honour to forward you herewith a copy of a letter from the managing director of the Union Steam Ship Company relative to suggested steam communication with Noumea. Parliament will be asked to make provision on next year's estimates for a subsidy of £2,400 per annum, and my Government would be glad if the French Government could be communicated with on this subject, and asked whether they would contribute one moiety. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.