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No. 8. (No. 45.) Sm, - Government House, Wellington, 11th July, 1905. Willi reference to my despatch to you (No. 41) of the 10th -Inly, with which I forwarded copies ot tin Speech tiiat 1 made at the opening of Parliament on the 27th .June, I have the honour to enclose herewith copies of the Address in Reply presented to me by the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives on the 29th June, as well as copies of the Address in Reply from the Speaker and honourable members of the Legislative Council presented to me this day. 1 have, &c., The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET.

No. 9. (No. 46.) Sir,- Government House, Wellington, 14th July, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your circular despatch a.-2, woe, of the 25th April on the subject of marriages by foreign consular officers. No 5 - 2. In reply, I beg to state that marriages solemnised by foreign consular officers in this colony are not valid in the contemplation of the laws of NewZealand. 3. The existing provisions as to the solemnisation of marriages in this colony are contained in " The Marriage Act, 1904," a copy of which is enclosed. I have, &c., The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET. No. 10. (No. 51.) Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 2nd August, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your circular despatch a.-2, i 906, of the 18th March last on the subject of registration ol emigrants. No - L 2. With reference to the second paragraph of your circular, the despatch and enclosure were published in the "Sew Zealand (lazt'tte of the 15th June, 1905. I have, &c, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET. No. 11. (No. 55.) Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 20th August, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 21) a.-v., ioos of the Bth March, 1905. 2. I now have received a memorandum from my Premier, dated the 16th August, in which he states that the New Zealand Government is in communication with the Government of the Commonwealth on the subject of the proposed Conference concerning shipping legislation, to which you refer, and is nowawaiting a reply. 3. My Premier adds that, if there is to be a Conference of Premiers, this matter might be considered by it. 4. I regret that I was unable to obtain an earlier reply from my Government upon this matter. I have, &c, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET. No. 12. (No. 65.) Sir,- - Government House, Wellington, 13th September, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch (No. 50) of the Bth July, concerning the payment of death duties in England on the estate of the late J. W Smitb, and in which you ask to be informed what steps, if any, my

No. 10. (No. 51.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd August, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your circular despatch a.-2, i 906, of the 18th March last on the suhject of registration ol emigrants. No - L 2. With reference to the second paragraph of your circular, the despatch and enclosure were published in the New Zealand (lazettt' of the 15th June, 1905. I have, &c, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET.

No. 11. (No. 55.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 20th August, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 21) a.-v., 19os. of the Bth March, 1905. 2. I now have received a memorandum from my Premier, dated the 16th August, in which he states that the New Zealand Government is in communication with the Government of the Commonwealth on the subject of the proposed Conference concerning shipping legislation, to which you refer, and is now awaiting a reply. ;5. My Premier adds that, if there is to be a Conference of Premiers, this matter might be considered by it. 4. I regret that I was unable to obtain an earlier reply from my Government upon this matter. I have, &c, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET.

No. 12. (No. 65.) Sir,- - Government House, Wellington, 13th September, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch (No. 50) of the Bth July, concerning the payment of death duties in England on the estate of the late J. W Smith, and in which you ask to be informed what steps, if any, my