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No. 21. (No. 9.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 27th February, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge your predecessor's despatches No. 35 of sth May, and No. 71 of the 13th October, 1905, upon the subject of the destruction of penguins and other birds in the Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty, and Campbell Islands. This matter was duly placed before my Government, who have made inquiries, and have now furnished me with the statement herein enclosed. The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET. Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 20th February, 1906. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Premier presents his compliments to His Excellency, and in returning the annexed despatches from the Secretary of State (G.H. 318/05 and 695/05), desires to state that from inquiries made respecting the alleged destruction and possible extermination of penguins and other sea-birds, it is clear that there is no foundation for such reports as regards any outlying islands belonging to the Colony of New Zealand. There has been no such destruction of the birds on those islands, and there is no reason to suppose that there has been any diminution of recent years in the large numbers which resort to some of those islands at certain times of the year. As regards the Macquarie Islands, which belong to the State of Tasmania, there is reason to believe that penguins have been killed on those islands and boiled down for oil. The attention of the Government of that State has been called to this matter, and they will nodoubt take such action as may be found necessary. I have to add that the representations made in these despatches have been noted, that any action necessary for the protection of sea-birds in the islands belonging to New Zealand will be taken by this Government. R. J. Seddon. No. 22. (No. 10.) My Lord, — Government House, Auckland, 7th March, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge your predecessor's general despatch of the 21st September last concerning certain statements which had appeared in the Press as to the contemplated establishment of wireless communication between Australia and New Zealand. I duly submitted the matter to my Ministers, and have now received a minute on the subject. My Government inform me that the contents of the Postmaster-General's letter of the 21st September, 1905, have been noted, but there is no intention on the part of the Government of this colony to arrange for wireless telegraphy to compete for commercial work. If communication were set up between Australia and New Zealand, it w T ould be more in the way of experiment than anything else. The most that the New Zealand Postmaster-General had in mind for present utilisation of the system was communication with outlying islands and steamers. I have, &c, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,450 copies), £7 9s. By Authority: John Mackat, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o6. Price 6d.]

A.-2, 1906, Nos. 6 and 19,

A.-2, 1906, No. 18.

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