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FURTHER DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

Presented to botli Houses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis JExcellency.

No. 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson to the Right Hon. Sir Michael E. Hicks Beach. (No. 62.) Government House, Wellington, SlB1, — New Zealand, 10th October, 1879. I have the honor to forward to you a memorandum which I received from Sir George Grey previous to his Government being defeated upon a no-con-fidence motion on Friday, 3rd October, suggesting that Mr. O'Rorke, having for the second time being elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, it would be gratifying to the House, and to the public generally, if Her Majesty would be graciously pleased to confer the honor of knighthood upon him. 2. I am making inquiries as to the circumstances under which previous Speakers had the honor of knighthood conferred upon them, and I propose to address you again upon this subject by some future opportunity. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart.

Enclosure in No. 1. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier begs respectfully to suggest to the Governor that Mr. O'Rorke, having been for the second time elected Speaker ot tlie House of Representatives, it would be gratifying to the House, and to the public generally, if Her Majesty would be graciously pleased to confer the honor of knighthood upon Mr. O'Rorke, it being customary to confer tbat dignity upon each Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand. The Premier transmits for the information of His Excellency a list of the public positions held by Mr. O'Rorke from time to time in this colony. Wellington, 30th September, 1879. G. Geey.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 1. List referred to in Memorandum. Foe twelve years Speaker of the Auckland Provincial Council; for nineteen years member of the House, having uninterruptedly represented the Town of Onehunga during that period ; thrice elected Chairman of Committees of the House; member of the Government from 1872 to 1874..

No. 2. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson to the Eight Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach. (No. 93.) Government House, Wellington, Sn:, — New Zealand, 29th December, 1879. In my Despatch No. 62, of the 10th October, forwarding a memorandum from Sir George Grey, recommending that the honor of knighthood should, in I—A.IA.

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accordance with custom, be conferred on Mr. O'Rorke, the present Speaker of the House of Representatives, on the ground that he had been a second time elected to that office, I stated that I was making inquiries as to the circumstances connected with the bestowal of distinctions upon previous Speakers, and would write further on the subject. 2. I find the office of Speaker has been held before Mr. O'Rorke by four gentlemen, as follows : Sir Charles Clifford, Kt., 1854-60; Sir David Monro, Kt., 1861-70 ; Sir Francis D. Bell, Et., 1871-75 ; Sir William Fitzherbert, K.C.M.G., 1876-78. 3. Sir Charles Clifford was knighted in 1858, after four years' Speakership, and a second election; Sir David Monro was knighted in 1866, after five years' Speakership, and a second election. Sir Francis Bell was knighted in 1873, soon after his election as Speaker; and Sir William Fitzherbert, who was before a C.M.G., was advanced to the E.C.M.G. in 1877, shortly after his elevation to the chair; but in both these latter cases the distinction was understood to be in some measure connected with previous services. 1. Mr. O'Rorke has already proved himself admirably fitted for the high post to which he has now been twice elected unopposed. Within a few weeks of his first election Parliament was dissolved, and upon the assembling of a new Parliament in September last he was unanimously voted to the chair. I have, &c, HERCUEES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart., &c.

By Authority : G-eoege Lidsluey, Government Printer, Wellington. —1880. Price 3d.]