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1899. NEW ZEALAND.

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency,

INDEX.

No. 1. (No. 14.) S IBj Government House, Wellington, 2nd April, 1898. In reference to your circular of the 20th December, 1897, I have the honour to inform you that I have called the attention of my Ministers to the same. They desire to point out that section 34, subsection (7), of " The Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Act, 1894," makes undermanning a ground for the detention of a vessel. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies. I—A. 1.

No. of Series. Date. Subject. Page. 1 2 3 4 5 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 (.19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 2 April, 1898 .. 12 May, 26 May, 26 May, „ 23 June, „ 23 June, „ 23 June, „ 5 July, 5 July, , 7 July, „ 15 July, „ 19 July, „ 27 July, „ 8 Aug., „ .. 11 Aug 23 Aug., „ 1 Sept., „ 8 Sept., „ 29 Sept., „ 2 Nov., 3 Nov., „ 7 Nov., 12 Nov 12 Dec, , 14 Dec, » 20 Dec, „ Shipping and Seamen's Act: Detention of vessels Shipping and Seamen's Act: Passenger certificates to steamers Medals to Permanent Forces of New Zealand Protection of Copyright System of education in New Zealand .. .. .. Appointments to Legislative Council: A. L. Smith and J. M. Twomey Cook Islands: Present arrangements to continue .. .. .. International code of signals : New Zealand flag omitted, &c. " Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 ": Shipping casualties .. Opening of New Zealand Parliament Employment of Army pensioners in Defence Forces of colonies Annexation of Hawaii by United States : Effects on mail-steamers Antarctic exploration International Convention for Publication of Customs Tariffs: Wish to be relieved.. Washington Postal Convention ratified by New Zealand Eoyal Society : International catalogue of scientific literature .. Appointment of Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon as British Eesident, Cook Islands Brussels Conference: Protection of industrial property Cook Islands: Her Majesty's Proclamation and Governor's Message Dunedin Chamber of Commerce : Extension of gold standard to India Humane Society of New Zealand : Application to be entitled " Eoyal " .. Prorogation of New Zealand Parliament Compulsory working of patented inventions Copies of Acts passed, 1898 Commercial arrangement with Belgium : New Zealand does not desire " Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Act, 1896," New Zealand: Board of Trade remarks Bounties on export of agricultural produoe Count L. A. M. J. H. de Courte, Vice-Consul for France, Wellington Gold and silver production in New Zealand Hon. E. Oliver, Consul for Belgium, Dunedin Mr. J. Burns, Consul for Belgium, Auokland Mr. J. J. Kinsey, Consul for Belgium, Christohurch 1 2 2 2 2 6 7 7 7 8 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 12 12 12 13 13 14 14 18 27 28 29 30 31 32 20 Dec, „ 13 Feb., 1899 .. 23 Feb., „ 24 Feb., , 24 Feb 25 Feb ■18 18 19 19 19 20 20

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No. 2. (No. 18.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 12th May, 1898. In reply to your despatch of the sth January last, marked New Zealand, No. 1, transmitting a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, requesting an assimilation of the New Zealand law to that of the United Kingdom in respect of steamers requiring to be provided with passenger certificates, I have the honour to inform you that Ministers state that the representation of the Board of Trade will be considered when amending the Shipping and Seamen's Acts. I have, &c, The Bight Hon. J. Chamberlain, JAMES BBBNDEBGAST. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 3. (No. 23.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 26th May, 1898. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—General) dated the 4th November, 1897, on the subject of the grant of medals to the Bermanent Borces of New Zealand, I have the honour to forward you, for the information of the Secretary of State for War, two copies of the regulations governing the issue of the medals referred to, which have been amended as directed in the despatch under reply. - I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLT. Secretary of State for the Colonies,

No. 4. (No. 24.) Sin, — Government House, Wellington, 26th May, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch circular, dated the Bth March, 1898, asking to be supplied with copies of all laws, regulations, &c, in operation in the British colonies regarding the protection of copyright. In accordance with your request, I have pleasure now to furnish herewith three copies of such documents, two of which are for transmission to the Director of the Bureau at Berne. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 5. (No. 32.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd June, 1898. In reply to your despatch (New Zealand—General), dated the sth October, 1897, requesting to be supplied with a brief authoritative account of the system of education existing in this colony, I have now the honour to forward you this account, and regret, owing to the illness of the officer who prepared it, that there has been considerable delay in doing so. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Memorandum for the Eight Hon. the Premier. Despatch No. 330/97, from the Secretary of State to His Excellency the Governor, dated the sth October, 1897, covered *a letter to me from the Secretary to the Education Department asking for an authoritative account of the education system of the colony. I enclose my reply, which I beg you to forward to His Excellency for transmission to the Home Government. 18th June, 1898. W. C, Walkbb.

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Subenclosure. Sic,— 17th June, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th September, 1897, and in compliance therewith to present to you an account of the educational system of the colony. This statement has been prepared in the office of the department, under the eye of the Secretary, and has been somewhat delayed through the illness of that officer. I have, &c, W. C. Walkeb, Sir G. W. Kekewich, Minister of Education. Education Department, Whitehall, London, S.W.

Peom 1853 to the end of 1876 New Zealand was divided into provinces, under separate Governments. Between 1855 and 1857 some system of public primary instruction was established in each of the principal provinces. In all these systems the primary schools were administered by local Committees, and by a central Board or other authority at the provincial capital. The expenses were variously paid out of capitation charges on householders and on children, out of rates on property, out of fees and donations, and out of grants from the provincial treasuries. Religious instruction was provided. After the abolition of provinces in 1876 the existing provincial systems of education remained in operation until the present system came into force, at the beginning of 1878. This differs from most of its provincial predecessors in being at once free, compulsory, and secular; but it still bears traces of its provincial origin, notably in the retention of a provincial administration by Boards, as well as the central administration by the Education Department. Under " The Education Act, 1877 " (a copy of which is attached), the colony is divided, for purposes of primary education, into thirteen education districts, generally coextensive with the old; provinces, or with subdivisions of them. The education districts are subdivided into a large and increasing number of school districts, in each of which there is a School Committee of five to nine persons, elected annually by the householders. In each education district there is an Education Board of nine members, elected three every year for terms of three years by the School Committees. Subject to general supervision and control by the Board, and to inspection by the Board's Inspector, the Committee has the management of school business within the school district. The Board appoints and removes teachers, but only after consulting the Committee. The Board also appoints Inspectors. There is a Department of Education, presided over by a Minister of Education. The regulations for the inspection of schools and for the issue of certificates to teachers are made by the Governor in Council. The Education Department distributes to the Education Boards the grants voted by Parliament for the maintenance of the primary schools, and for school-buildings. The schools are maintained by a statutory payment out of the consolidated revenue of the colony at the rate of £3 15s. a year for each unit of the average daily attendance of pupils. No fees are chargeable for primary instruction at the public schools. A further capitation of Is. 6d. on the average daily attendance is voted annually by Parliament for the maintenance of scholarships tenable at secondary schools by children leaving the primary schools. Besides these capitations Parliament votes also a yearly sum of £4,000 towards the cost of inspection of schools by Boards, a subsidy of £300 a a year each to the two normal schools, and a variable sum for expenditure on school-buildings. In 1878, 1879, and 1880 respectively this last vote was £101,257, £150,581, and £104,437 ; since that time it has once exceeded £83,000, and once fallen below £12,000. The capitation voted by Parliament is paid to the several Boards, and forms the fund out of which each Board maintains its schools, pays the salaries of its teachers and other officers, and defrays the greater part of the cost of inspection. The Boards also make small grants to the Committees for fuel, cleaning, and incidental expenses, and for school libraries. The fund at the disposal of a Committee may be supplemented by donations and subscriptions, and by fines recovered for truancy. Neither members of Education Boards nor members of School Committees receive any remuneration for their services. Certificates of competency are issued to teachers after examination held by the Education Department, or on proof of having passed equivalent examination conducted by some efficient public authority. There are five classes of teachers' certificates, of which Class E (the lowest) indicates the possession of a sound English education, such as is given in the public schools of the colony, while Class A (the highest) is reserved for university graduates in first-class or second-class honours. But in each class there are five divisions, depending on efficiency, and, in a less degree, on seniority, and a teacher's rank depends equally on the class and on his division, so that, for example, the certificates of A 5, 84, C 3, D 2, and El are all of equal rank. The first annual list of certificated teachers under "The Education Act, 1877," was gazetted on the 2nd July, 1879, and contained the names of 749 teachers employed in public instruction. The nineteenth list was gazetted on the 28th June, 1897, and contained the names of 2,353 teachers so employed. The following tables show the improvement that has been effected since 1879 in the general average of both literary attainment and practical efficiency of the primary-school staff of the colony under the present system of classification of teachers. [The regulations concerning teachers' certificates are at pages 84 to 90 of the accompanying pamphlet]:— Peopoetional Numbbes op Teachees holding Ceetificates of each Class at July, 1879, and at June, 1897, expeessed in Pebcentages of the Total Numbee of Ceetificated Teachees employed. A "D ("1 T) "pi 1879 ... ... ... ... O'OO 3-33 574 27 ; 77 65-15 1897 ... ... ... ... 1-15 4-55 651 4719 4060

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Pebcentages of Teachees holding Ceetificates of each Division at July, 1879, and at June, 1897; 12 3 4 5 1879 ... ... ... ... 7-34 27-24 3965 24-03 1-74 1897 ... ... ... ... 21-43 32-89 28-02 16-03 2-64 Numbee of Teachees holding Ceetificates of each Rank at July, 1879, and at June, 1897. 1879. 1897. AI 6 A2andßl ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 51 A3, 82, and CI ... ... ... ... ... ... 24 109 A 4, 83, C 2, and DI ... ... ... ... ... 54 305 A 5, 84, C3,D 2, and El ... ... ... ... ... 99 533 85, C 4, D 3, and E2 159 662 CS,D 4, andE3 ... ... ... ... ... ... 249 460 DsandE4 ... ... ... :.. ... ... 148 184 E5 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 42 Totals of all ranks ... ... ... ... 749 2,352 Pupil-teachers form part of the staff in all but the very smallest schools. They receive instruction in the subjects of the Class E and Class D certificate examinations from the head teacher of the school out of school-hours. The term of apprenticeship is usually five years, of which two may be remitted to successful candidates at the Class D or matriculation examinations. Pupilteachers are expected to sit for their certificate examinations in their fifth year at latest. Their remuneration ranges from about £20 to about £50 a year. There are now two training-colleges in the colony, maintained: one by the North Canterbury Education Board, at Christchurch, and the other by the Otago Board, at Dunedin. There is at each of these towns a college affiliated to the New Zealand University, and the Boards grant exhibitions to matriculated normal students attending college lectures. Exhibitions of £26, £30, and £50 a year for one or for two years are granted to pupil-teachers that have served their full term and passed their examinations creditably. A student that has not been a pupil-teacher must either pay fees at the rate of £12 or £20 a year for tuition, or must give a bond with sureties for £100 to teach for two years in the public schools of the colony after leaving the college. A similar bond is required of exhibitioners. The salaries of the teachers are fixed by the Boards, each of which has its own scale of payment. The amount of a teacher's salary depends mainly on the size of the school and on his position in it; also, to some extent, on his classification. A dwelling for the head teacher is provided at about two schools out of three. There is no provision for the superannuation of teachers, nor do they become entitled to pensions. The schools are open to all children between the ages of five and fifteen, and attendance is compulsory from seven to thirteen. It is left to the discretion of each School Committee to enforce in its own district the compulsory clauses of the Act. The instruction is entirely secular, though religious instruction may, with the consent of the Committee, be given in the school-building out of school-hours. The subjects of instruction are reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar and composition, geography, history, object-lessons and elementary science, drawing, vocal music, and, for girls, needlework and domestic economy. Military drill for boys is prescribed by the Act; and physical training is given to both boys and girls wherever efficient instructors are available. [The regulations for the inspection of schools, with the standards of examination, will be found on pages 64 to 83 of the accompanying pamphlet.] The following is a comparison of the population and schools, &c, of the colony at December, 1877, and at December, 1897 :— 1877. 1897. Population, exclusive of Maoris ... ... ... 417,622 729,056 Public primary schools ... ... ... ... 730 1,585 Children on the school rolls ... ... ... ... 55,688 132,197 Teachers, male ... ... ... ... ... 648 1,229 Teachers, female ... ... ... ... ... 449 1,322 Pupil-teachers, male ... ... ... ... 82 226 Pupil-teachers, female ... ... ... ... 221 850 Sewing-mistresses ... ... ... ... ... 82 183 Total teaching staff... ... ... ... ... 1,482 3,810 Inspectors ... ... ... ... ... 10 25 Of the 132,197 children on the school rolls in 1897, 68,459 were boys and 63,738 girls; the numbers for 1877 are not recorded, but the numbers for 1878 are 34,149 and 31,217. The salaries of the teachers, pupil - teachers, and sewing-mistresses at the end of 1897 amounted to £359,412. This sum divided equally among the, teachers of all classes would give an average of £94 6s. Bd. If the sewing-mistresses and their salaries were not included, the average would be higher. The number of teachers, pupil-teachers, and Sewing-mistresses employed at salaries under £100 was 2,239. At salaries from £100 (inclusive) to £200 there were 1,264 teachers ; from £200 (inclusive) to £300, 238 ; from £300 to £400, £62; and from £400 upwards, 7. In addition to the numbers already given, there were 2,260 children, being 1,294 boys and 966 girls, of the Maori or aboriginal race, including half-castes, in attendance at the public schools in 1897. There were also seventy-four village schools maintained and. controlled by the Education Department for the benefit of the Maoris in places where no public schools have been established

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by the Boards. These schools were under the charge of sixty-one masters and fifteen mistresses, with salaries ranging from £74 to £233; and there were sixty assistants and fourteen sewingmistresses, with salaries between £2 and £50. The number of children on the rolls was 2,864, being 1,569 boys and 1,295 girls. Many of the children are of mixed parentage, the Maori blood being pure or preponderant in about 79 per cent, of them, and European blood predominating in about 10 per cent. The remaining 11 per cent, are half-castes. The course of studies at the Native schools differs to some extent from the public-school course, and the standards of examination are somewhat lower in certain subjects, in view of the fact that the Maori pupil has to acquire the English language in addition to his own, and that all the instruction is given in what is to him a foreign tongue. Maoris are admitted into the village schools below the age of five, and are allowed to remain in them after the age of fifteen. Besides the Government schools there are eight denominational schools, subject to inspection by the Education Department, of which four are dayschools and four are boarding-schools. At one of the latter there is a class for Maori boys preparing for matriculation at the University. At the end of 1897 there were 121 boys and 115 girls of Maori or mixed race at the- boarding-schools, of whom twenty-six boys and sixteen girls were holders of Government scholarships. The Education Department provides exhibitions for young Maoris that show ability to study with profit at secondary schools and university colleges. Other promising young Maoris are apprenticed to trades at the expense of the Department. There were ten such apprentices in December, 1897, and two young men holding Government exhibitions of £40 a year each at university colleges. The total Government expenditure on Maori schools in 1897 was £20,743. [A copy of the Native Schools Code is attached.] There are twenty-four corporate endowed secondary schools subject to inspection by the Education Department. Eight of them are for boys, seven for girls, and nine for both boys and girls. The fees for tuition range from £4, or even less, to a little over £14 a year. There is a total staff of 143 resident and forty-one visiting teachers, and the aggregate roll-number at the end of 1897 was 1,686 boys and 1,023 girls. The year's income from, endowments amounted to £26,765, and the fees for tuition to £23,770. The expenditure on scholarships and prizes by the governing bodies of the schools in 1897 amounted to £2,842. The salaries of the teachers amounted to £31,596, and the cost of examinations to £544. Education Board scholarships were held at the secondary schools during the year by 199 boys and 120 girls from the public primary schools. The values of these scholarships ranged from £4 to £52 125., and their net total amount was £7,769. The number of private and denominational schools at the end of 1897 may be estimated at about three hundred, with about 6,500 boys and 9,100 girls. These schools cannot be classified as primary and secondary, as most of them partake of both characters. About 65 per cent, of the children attending private schools are at about 35 per cent, of the schools, which are those connected with the Roman Catholic Church. " The Education Act, 1877," allows any headmaster, with the approval of his Committee, to open evening classes for pupils over thirteen, and to charge fees; but hitherto very little advantage has been taken of this provision. A Bill to provide for the establishment of continuation schools and classes by the Education Boards was introduced at the last session of Parliament in 1897, but did not become law. Under the Act passed in 1895 any Education Board may order elementary manual training to be included in the ordinary course of instruction at any public school in its district. Under the same Act a Board may authorise the holding of classes for manual training in any of its schools out of school-hours ; and a Board or other society, or any qualified person, may establish classes for technical instruction not in connection with the primary schools. Fees may be charged for admission to such classes, and the promoters may claim from the Government certain capitations on the attendance. Classes for technical instruction, including art and shorthand classes and classes for cookery and needlework, have been established at various centres by the Boards and by other promoters. Examinations have been held in connection with the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, and with the City and Guilds of London Institute ; and at these examinations 1,037 papers were taken and 751 passes were obtained in 1897. The payments made by the Education Department on account of technical classes and examinations for the year amounted to £2,932. Three schools of mines, chiefly for the benefit of working miners, are maintained by the Government Department of Mines on three of the principal goldfields of the colony. The public expenditure on these schools of mines for 1897 amounted to £1,501. There is no special institution in the colony for commercial instruction. Higher technical instruction, on the professional plane, is given at several corporate and endowed institutions : A medical school and a school of mines forming departments of the University of Otago; a school of engineering and technical science forming a department of Canterbury College; and a school of agriculture, formerly governed by Canterbury College, but recently erected into a separate corporation. The University of New Zealand is a chartered corporation, consisting of a Chancellor, a ViceChancellor, fellows, and graduates. Its governing body is the Senate, of twenty-four fellows, including the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor. The fellowships are tenable for life, on condition of regular attendance at the annual sessions of the Senate. Elections to vacancies in the senate are made alternately by the fellows and by the graduates in convocation. The University is an examining, not a teaching, body, and certain teaching institutions are affiliated to it, viz. : Otago University, Canterbury College, and Auckland University College. A fourth college—Victoria College— is provided for by an Act of 1897, but is not yet ready for actual work. Wellington will almost certainly be the seat of this new college. The University has power to grant the degrees of Bachelor and Master in Arts, and of Bachelor and Doctor in Laws, Medicine, Science, and Music. The examiners for degrees in arts and science are appointed periodically, and are chosen from among

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men of eminence in their several departments in the universities of the United Kingdom. The delay irfvolved in sending the candidates' papers Home for examination is held to be amply compensated for by the prestige which attaches to degrees that are conferred not according to the judgment of local teachers, but upon the impartial decision of distant and eminent examiners. The University receives from the colonial Treasury an annual subsidy of £3,000, one-half of which sum it devotes to scholarships. Besides this statutory grant of £3,000, the University received during the year 1896 £2,191 from fees for examinations, £414 from fees for degrees and certificates, and £919 from interest, making a total of £6,524. The expenditure on scholarships and prizes was £2,041; the expenses of examinations amounted to £2,916, and the general expenses to £1,026 : making a total of £5,983. The three local teaching institutions are endowed—the University of Otago and Canterbury College very handsomely. The University of Otago maintains a staff of twenty-four academical professors and lecturers, Canterbury College eleven, and Auckland University College seven. The matriculated students attending lectures at these affiliated colleges in 1896 numbered 419, and the unmatriculated students 323. The returns for 1897 have not yet been received. There is no provision of free meals for needy scholars attending the public schools. It is believed that the children are all well fed, and that if ever one of them is observed to be indifferently clad its wardrobe is soon supplemented by private benevolence. Destitute and neglected children are dealt with under the Industrial Schools Act, and so come under the guardianship of the State, which takes care that they shall be properly housed, clothed, and fed, and strictly enforces their attendance at school. There are three Government industrial schools for the maintenance and education of destitute, neglected, and criminal children, and also three similar schools connected with the Roman Catholic Church, but subject to Government inspection and control. A child admitted to any of these institutions remains under the legal guardianship of the manager of the institution until he reaches the age of twenty-one years, or is discharged. In the meantime he either resides in the institution or is boarded out with foster-parents, or, if of an age to be earning wages, is put out to service, and lives in the house of his licensed employer. Prom the Government schools all children of suitable age and character are boarded out —many of the " inmates " never set foot inside the walls of the school from the time of their admission to the time of their discharge. Every house in which any inmate of an industrial school is boarded out is subject to inspection by a lady visitor, and by an officer of the Education Department. The lady visitor reports monthly to the manager of the school. The number of children on the books of the industrial schools at December, 1897, was 1,588, of whom only 581 were resident in the institutions while 396 were boarded out, 427 were at service, and 119 were living with their friends on probation awaiting discharge. Of the remaining sixtyfive, thirty-six were in homes and refuges, seven in hospitals and asylums, two in gaol, and twenty absent without leave. Only 199 were resident in the Government schools, while 385 from the same schools were boarded out. There are no reformatories other than the industrial schools. The name " industrial " as applied to these schools is a survival, and represents an almost obsolete idea. The inmates are not fully prepared for trades or industries while at school, but are sent to service at the age of fourteen, to acquire a knowledge of practical work, as other young people do. There is a school for deaf-mutes under Government control, conducted on the pure oral system, in which there were forty-seven pupils, being twenty-seven boys and twenty girls, at the end of 1897. The total cost of the school during 1897 was £3,308, including £186 contributed by parents. There is an institution for blind people, managed by trustees, at which nineteen pupils were maintained by the Government during 1897, at a total expenditure of £492, of which £40 was contributed by parents. Appendix. 1. Accompanying this report are the following pamphlets : — (a.) " Education Act, 1877," and related Acts, together with Regulations made under them. Six copies. (b.) Inspection of Schools and Standards of Examination. (A reprint of pages 64 to 83 of pamphlet (a). Six copies. (c.) Teachers' Certificates. (A reprint of pages 84 to 90 of pamphlet (a). Six copies. (d.) Native Schools Code. Six copies. (c.) Report of the Minister of Education for 1896 (the last published). Three copies. 2. The building and equipment of schools is not regulated by law, but is left to the discretion of the several Education Boards.

No. 6. (No. 34.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd June, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that on the 20th instant I called to the Council the two gentlemen whose names are marginally stated.* The two members of the Native race have not yet been finally selected. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

* Mr. A. Lee Smith, and Mr. J. M. Twomey.

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No. 7. (No. 35.) Sib,- — Government House, Wellington, 23rd June, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (New Zealand, No. 32) dated the sth May, 1898, respecting the state of affairs in the Cook Islands. I had pleasure in informing you by cable on the 18tb instant that my Ministers have reconsidered their decision, and they agree to recommend Farliament to continue the present arrangements. They have decided to recommend a successor to Mr. Moss as British Resident at Rarotonga, and the further matters in your despatch are still under their consideration. I shall hope to fully inform you by next mail. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 8. (No. 36.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, sth July, 1898. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—General), dated the 4th February, 1898, respecting the international code of signals, I have the honour to bring to your notice that the New Zealand flag, which is used on board the Government steamers, is not shown amongst the flags which appear in the new code-book. This flag, which has been authorised by the Imperial Government, is a blue ensign with the Jack in the top corner and four red stars with white borders on the fly of the ensign. 2. My Ministers request me to ask that the stars should in future be placed in a white circle on the fly of the ensign, similar to the circle which is to appear on the red ensign. 3. As regards the red ensign for the use of colonial merchant vessels, my Ministers recommend that sanction should be given in the case of New Zealand vessels to the placing of four red stars in the white circle which is to appear on the fly of the ensign. My Ministers also observe that the signals do not make provision for a signal to be used by vessels requiring the services of a steam-tug by night. The signal as used in New Zealand is as follows: The master of every vessel requiring the services of a steam-tug by night shall show at intervals two bluelights simultaneously, or shall exhibit at intervals two flare-up lights simultaneously, as far as possible, provided that the distance apart shall not exceed 300 ft. Either of these signals is to be shown in such a position as to be seen from the harbour or look-out station. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 9. (No. 39.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, sth July, 18t)8. With reference to your despatch circular, dated the 21st March, 1898, relative to merchant shipping legislation, I have the honour to enclose a memorandum I have received from my Fremier, and signed by the Minister of Marine. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Hon. Premier, I append hereto a precis showing the points of difference between the Imperial and New Zealand law, so far as it relates to Courts of inquiry into shipping casualties.

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The principal of these are Nos. 3 and 4. As to No. 3, I think it is a matter of doubt whether the New Zealand law is not preferable. A vessel may be stranded by the gross negligence and carelessness of her navigators, as was the case of the s.s. " Ruapehu," a large and well appointed steamship carrying a large number of passengers. This vessel was stranded in broad daylight on Farewell Spit, a well known part of the coast; and yet, because after a few days, during which, fortunately there was fine weather, she was floated off without serious damage the master's certificate could not have been dealt with under the Imperial law. The other point, No. 4, is the Imperial provision for rehearing a case under certain circumstances. This is no doubt a matter requiring consideration, but as a matter of experience the necessity for it has not been pressed on the department by any case which has yet occurred. These differences, and those referred to in Nos. 1 and 2 of the precis, do not appear to urgently require that the Government should bring forward a Bill to amend the law ; but, in the event of the consolidation of the New Zealand Shipping Acts, the view urged by the Board of Trade that the Imperial and colonial law should, so far as possible, be assimilated is one which will be carefully considered when such consolidation is undertaken. I recommend that His Excellency the Governor be advised to inform the Secretary of State for the Colonies accordingly. Wm. Hall-Jones, Minister of Marine.

Pb£ois of peincipal Difpeeences between the Impeeial and New Zealand Law eclating to Inquibies into Shipping Casualties. Imperial " Merchant Shipping Act, 1894." New Zealand " Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1877." 1. Section 466, subsection (3), requires two 1. Section 241 requires one or more. As a Assessors. matter of fact, in all important cases two are appointed. 2. Section 466, subsection (12), forbids inquiries 2. No provision of this kind. Inquiries are often to be held in a Police Court. held in the Police Court, but so are many other Magisterial inquiries with which the police are not concerned. There is no reflection involved on the parties concerned. 3. Section 470: Inquiry can be held, but certifi- 3. There is nothing to hinder a certificate being cate cannot be dealt with unless there dealt with, although a vessel may have has been loss, abandonment of, or serious been stranded without sustaining serious damage to a ship, but the officer or officers damage. The s.s. "Ruapehu" was a can be ordered to pay costs. case in point. At the time the inquiry was held the " Ruapehu" had floated off without damage so far as was then known, and if the Imperial law had been in force in the colony the master's certificate could not have been dealt with, notwithstanding the gross and culpable negligence which the Court found him guilty of. 4. Section 475 : This section gives power for 4. There is no such provision in New Zealand. rehearing, if new and important evidence has been discovered, or if ground for suspecting miscarriage of justice. The Board of Trade decides whether or not there is to be a rehearing, but if its decision is adverse to the person affected he can appeal to the High Court.

No. 10. (No. 40.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 7th July, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that I opened the third session of the thirteenth Barliament of New Zealand on the 24th June, 1898, and to enclose copies of the Speech that I read on that occasion. 2. I have further the honour to forward herewith copies of the (a) Address in Reply presented to me by the Hon. the Speaker of the Legislative Council; (b) Address in Reply presented to me by the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives. I have, &c, RANBURLY. The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies,

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(No. 44.) 8m, — Government House, Wellington, 15th July, 1898. With reference to your despatch circular, dated the 6th May, 1898' asking me whether my Government will allow non-commissioned officers, pensioners of the Royal Marines, or non-commissioned officers about to be pensioned from the corps, to be employed in the Bermanent Defence Forces of the colony : I have the honour to inform you that my Ministers consider it advisable not to depart from the custom of drawing Artillery Instructors from the Royal Artillery, but they would have no objection to temporary instructors being drawn from the Royal Marine Light Infantry. The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 12. (No. 45.) Sic,— Government House, Wellington, 19th July, 1898. I have the honour, at the request of my Fremier, to ask you to communicate with the United States Government on the following subjects:— That, in the event of the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands by the United States being concluded, the mail-steamer " Moana," which is now subsidised by both the American and New Zealand Governments, will be brought under the provisions of the shipping laws of the United States, which preclude any but vessels flying the American flag from carrying passengers and cargo between ports which are within the jurisdiction of the United States Government. If this be so, my Fremier requests that the regulations may be relaxed so as to permit the " Moana" and other British steamers to trade between San Brancisco and Hawaii with no greater restrictions than at present exist. That these steamers are under contract with the New Zealand Government, but this contract expires on the 31st March next, and unless some facilities be given it will in all probability lead to other arrangements being made after that date. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 13. (No. 47.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 27th July, 1898. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand —No. 73), dated the 26th November, 1897, requesting information as to whether the New Zealand Government would grant financial assistance towards an expedition in the antarctic regions, I have the honour to inform you that my Ministers have given the matter their careful consideration, and have come to the conclusion that, in view of the Imperial Government and the Australian Colonies having shown themselves indisposed to assist and promote the exploration, New Zealand could not be expected to contribute at the present juncture. Should the other colonies decide to assist, my Ministers would be prepared to reconsider the question. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 14. (No. 50.) Sis, — Government House, Wellington, Bth August, 1898. With reference to your circular despatch, dated the 21st August, 1896, and to Lord Glasgow's reply thereto (New Zealand —No. 40), dated the 12th November, 1896, relative to the International Convention for the Publication of

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Customs Tariffs, and stating that the New Zealand Government had no wish to withdraw from the Convention, I have the honour, at the request of Ministers, to inform you that it has since been ascertained that New Zealand is the only remaining contributor of the Australasian Colonies, and that, as their consent to the continuance of their subscription for another term of years was given in ignorance of that fact, this Government would be glad to be relieved, if possible, of their obligation to subscribe further, say from the 31st March, 1899. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 15. (No. 51.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 11th August, 1898. I have the honour to request that you will inform the United States Government that New Zealand has ratified the act of its representative, the Hon. J. G. Duffy, with reference to the Universal Bostal Convention signed at Washington on the Ist June, 1897. I have, &c, RANFURLY. The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 16. (No. 53.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 20th August, 1898. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand —General), dated the 29th April, 1898, respecting a proposal of the Royal Society to hold during the present year an International Convention, to consider the report of the Royal Society's Committee upon the preparation of an international catalogue of scientific literature, I have the honour to inform you that New Zealand will be represented by its Agent-General, the Hon. W. P. Reeves. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 17. (No. 56.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, Ist September, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that, in accordance with your cable of the 18th August, 1898, I informed Major (now Lieutenant-Colonel) W. E. Gudgeon of his appointment as British Resident at Rarotonga, and further, a notification to the same effect was published in the New Zealand Gazette. For your information, I have much pleasure in enclosing you a copy of Lieutenant-Colonel Gudgeon's services. During the past week he has been carefully studying in this house the despatches from Mr. Moss relative to the affairs of the Cook Islands, and I have given him every facility to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the history of the British connection with this group from its inception. All points that were subjects of dispute have been thoroughly gone into. The Bederal Court Bill has been redrafted by the Minister of Justice, but, owing however to the altered circumstances, it will have again to be materially revised by the Resident, his appointment as a Deputy Commissioner under the High Commission of Fiji having to some extent altered his position, and considerably strengthened it, thereby putting an end to the excessive delays in settling Court cases at Rarotonga, which have proved a source of much annoyance, and have considerably increased the difficulties of the situation.

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Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon leaves in H.M.S. " Tauranga " on the 3rd instant, and arrangements have been made with Captain Browne, R.N., senior naval officer, New Zealand, to so time his arrival at Rarotonga as to permit of Lieut.Colonel Gudgeon landing there on the 12th September. I have officially notified Mr. Moss of this by mail, due at Rarotonga on or about the Bth September, and I have accepted his resignation as from the 12th September, the date of Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon's appointment. Owing to the business of the parliamentary session my Ministers did not desire me to absent myself from New Zealand at the present time, though, had it not been the parliamentary session they expressed their complete concurrence in the advisability of my personally installing him. This I intended doing after this session, but, owing to the continued unsatisfactory despatches from the Cook Islands, I felt that any delay was only adding to the difficulties of the situation. Colonel Gudgeon informed me that my personal presence would add considerably to his mana, but that if the arrangements I named to him for his installation were carried out, that he considered an official visit to those islands a few months later would have a good effect. I therefore arranged with Captain Browne, R.N., H.M.S. " Tauranga," that he- should read the Broclamation with full honours, also a message from myself introducing Colonel Gudgeon to the people. I fixed the hour of noon on the 12th September for this event, and in my despatch to Mr. Moss have asked him to have the Arikis, natives, and foreigners duly notified of the fact. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure No. 1. Lieutenant-Colonel Gudgeon's Sebvices. 3rd Septeniher, 1865. —Ensign, Wanganui Militia, and attached to Native Contingent. 4th January, 1866. —Lieutenant, Wanganui Militia, and attached to Native Contingent. 15th September, 1868. —Captain, New Zealand Militia. October, 1868. —Sub-Inspector, Armed Constabulary Eorce. 7th November, 1868. —Mentioned in despatch from Lieutenant-Colonel Whitmore to LieutenantColonel Haultain : " Captain Gudgeon and Mr. E. McDonnell, who, though unable to bring on their men, followed Kemp to the field, and shared the honours which he has won." 1878. —Seconded from Constabulary Force, and appointed Resident Magistrate for Waiapu District, which post he held eighteen months. 1879. —Rejoined Constabulary, then under orders to proceed to the West Coast, on account of the disturbed condition of Native affairs. He took part in the operations at Parihaka. He served in Constabulary till Acting Under-Secretary for Defence, from 18th November, 1885, to 31st March, 1887. sth January, 1887, to 30th June, 1890. —Commissioner of Police, a post he had temporarily occupied before, in 1885, during Colonel Reader's illness. Ist July, 1890, to 11th September, 1898. —Judge of Native Land Court. 25th August, 1898. —Lieutenant-Colonel, New Zealand Militia. 12th September, 1898. —British Resident, Cook Islands, vice Mr. Moss, resigned.

Enclosure No. 2. My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd August, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, informing me that I had been appointed Resident at Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Had circumstances permitted your Lordship to visit the group at the present time, I feel assured that the visit would have had the best possible effect, and would have assisted me materially in meeting difficulties which I may possibly have to encounter. I need hardly say that the Maori may always be influenced by the presence of any one holding the high position of Governor of a British colony, since he is proud to accept the fact as a compliment to himself. I would, moreover, point out that the people of the Cook Islands will recognise and appreciate my position among them just so far as they can perceive that I am supported by you. I would therefore sugggest, for your consideration, that the public service would benefit greatly by your visiting the islands of the group, inasmuch as it would be proof conclusive to the Maori mind that Her Majesty's representative took a personal interest in their welfare. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon.

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(No. 59.) Sic,— Government House, Wellington, Bth September, 1898. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand —General), dated the 14th July, 1898, enclosing copies of a report of the delegates to the British Conference of the Union for the Protection of Industrial Property, and also copies of correspondence between the Board of Trade and the Colonial Office, I have the honour to inform you that my Government are willing to accept the additional Act in question. The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, ' RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 19. (No. 66.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 29th September, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that Captain Browne, H.M.S. " Tauranga," senior naval officer on this station, has sent me a despatch from Rarotonga, informing me that he read with due ceremony Her Majesty's Proclamation, also my own message introducing the new British Resident, Lieutenant-Colonel Gudgeon. These messages were read in the presence of the Arikis and a very large number of inhabitants, estimated by private individuals at two thousand. Mr. Moss returned on H.M.S. " Tauranga," his family leaving by the ordinary boat, which sailed about the same time. The whole proceedings, so far as I am at present informed, seem to have passed off with complete success, and the new Resident was in every way well received. Lieutenant-Colonel Gudgeon found he was able to carry on a conversation with the Natives without the aid of an interpreter. I nfivp C\C* The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, ' RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 20. (No. 71.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd November, 1898. I have the honour to enclose herewith, for the information of the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for India, a copy of a resolution passed by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, regarding the proposal to extend the gold standard to British India. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Sib,— Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin, 19th September, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that the following resolution was unanimously adopted at a recent meeting of this Chamber, and that I was instructed to forward it to you, with the request that you would have it conveyed to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for India, viz.: — " That this meeting learns with the gravest apprehension that it is proposed to extend the gold standard to British India. It believes that such a step would be disastrous to the best interests of the Empire. If the proposal were carried out, the number of people looking to gold alone as a standard of value would be nearly doubled, and, as a result, a. further appreciation of gold and a further fall in the price of commodities must take place. This would exercise a deadening and benumbing influence on our trade and commerce, and would materially increase the real burden of our debts. This meeting submits that a change such as contemplated does not merely concern the United Kingdom, or British India; it is a change which would be felt over the whole Empire." I am, &c, The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Petee Babe, Secretary.

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No. 21. (No. 72.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 3rd November, 1898. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand —No. 4) dated the 15th January, 1898, relative to the title " Royal " being granted to a humane society to be founded in this colony, I have the honour to forward you a copy of the rules and regulations of the proposed Humane Society of New Zealand. I have further the honour to forward a petition from the officers of the newly-formed society, praying that the society may be permitted to assume the title "Royal," and that Her Majesty may be graciously pleased to consent to become the patron. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. To Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen. The humble petition of the undersigned, officers and members of the Humane Society of New Zealand, showeth : 1. That your Majesty's petitioners are officers and members of a society recently formed in and for New Zealand, called " The Humane Society of New Zealand." 2. That the aims and objects of the society are identical with those of the Royal Humane Society of England, and the Royal Humane Society of Australasia, and may be briefly stated as follows :— (a.) To bestow rewards upon all who risk their own lives to save those of their fellowcreatures. (b.) To provide assistance, as far as it is in the power of the society, in all cases of apparent death occurring in any part of New Zealand. (c.) To restore the apparently drowned or dead, and to distinguish by rewards all who through skill and perseverance are, under Providence, successful. (d.) To collect and circulate information regarding the most approved methods and the best appliances to be used for such purposes. (c.) And for all humane acts and deeds of a like nature. 3. Hitherto New Zealand has been within the jurisdiction of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia, whose head office is in Melbourne, and, although New-Zealanders have every reason to be satisfied with the good work which has been so well and ably carried on by that society for close on a quarter of a century past, still it was thought by many gentlemen here that, owing to the great distance of Melbourne from New Zealand, it would be more desirable and advantageous to have all matters connected with the society arising in New Zealand more immediately under local control. 4. That your Majesty's petitioners are very anxious to be permitted to assume the name and title of " The Royal Humane Society of New Zealand," and that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to consent to become a patron of the society. Your Majesty's petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Majesty wfll be graciously pleased to give permission to your petitioners to assume the name and title of " The Royal Humane society of New Zealand," and that your Majesty will also be graciously pleased to consent to become a patron of the society. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c. John Joyce, President. Aaeon Ayeus. R. C. Bishop. Edwaed Smith. H. B. Kick. Jas. A. Feostick. Richabd Linn, Secretary. Christchurch, New Zealand, 20th October, 1898.

No. 22. (No. 73.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 7th November, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that on the sth instant I prorogued the third session of the thirteenth Parliament of New Zealand. The Bills which have been passed, when duly sealed, will be forwarded for Her Majesty's approval. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 23. (No. 74.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 12th November, 1898. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand —General), dated the 16th September, 1898, enclosing a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, asking to be supplied with certain information as to the operation in the colonies of laws relating to compulsory working of patented inventions, I have the honour to transmit to you the answers required. (a.) The specific provisions of the law as to the compulsory working of patented inventions are contained in section 33 of the Act of 1889, which empowers the Governor to order the patentee to grant licenses. (b.) No regulations have been made to carry out these provisions, (c.) and (d.) No case of the kind has occurred in this colony. I have further the honour to forward you two copies of the laws and regulations at present in force dealing with the subject. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 24. (No. 75.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 12th December, 1898. I have the honour to forward you authenticated copies of the Acts passed by the General Assembly during the session which closed on the sth November, 1898, for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. A synopsis of these Acts, prepared by the Solicitor-General, is also forwarded herewith. I have the honour to inform you that I have reserved my assent to the Divorce Bill, according to lustructions under the Royal Sign Manual and Signet, paragraph vi., section 1. On this Bill I have pleasure in forwarding you a special report by the Solicitor-General. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Heeewith I beg to submit the usual synopsis of Acts passed by the General Assembly during the recent session of Parliament; also special report on the Divorce Bill, which has been reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon. W. S. Reid. Crown Law Office, 17th November, 1898.

Synopsis of Acts passed by the Genebal Assembly of New Zealand during the Session ending sth November, 1898. Public General Acts. No. 1. The Imprest Supply Act.—Granting £461,000 and £9,000 on imprest towards the service of the year. No. 2. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 2). —Granting £386,000, £9,000, and £125,000 on imprest towards the service of the year. No. 3. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 3).— Granting £336,000, £9,000, and £50,000 on imprest towards the service of the year. No. 4. The Unclaimed Moneys Act.—Requiring every company as defined by the Act to keep a register in a prescribed form of all unclaimed moneys, meaning thereby all moneys unclaimed for six years and upwards, and to pay them into the Public Account, to the credit of the Colonial Treasurer, with provision for repayment by him to the owner on demand. No. 5. The First Offenders' Probation Act Amendment Act.—Requiring the Probation Officer to state the grounds on which he refuses to recommend a prisoner to probation ; also empowering the Court to state the grounds to the prisoner, and to take evidence as to their truth. No. 6. The Government Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Act.—Extending until the 31st October, 1901, the time within which the moneys authorised to be raised under the Act of 1894 may be raised. No. 7. The Imprest Supply Act (No. 4).— Granting £336,000, £31,500, and £50,000 on imprest towards the service of the year. No. 8. The Inebriates Institutions Act.—Providing for the establishment and management of institutions for the care of inebriates, the mode of admission or committal thereto, and the treatment of inebriates therein.

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No. 9. The Bank of New Zealand and Banking Act Amendment Act. —Altering the constitution of the Board, by making the number of directors six, of whom four are to be appointed by the Governor in Council and two to be elected by the shareholders. The Act also abolishes the office of President, with provisions for compensation or right of action for damages to the holder of that office. An Assistant Auditor is to be appointed. The President's veto is abolished, and in lieu thereof the Chief Auditor is empowered to attend meetings of the Board and suspend the operations of any act of the Board until the matter has been further considered at a subsequent meeting. The Board is empowered to accept compositions for calls, subject to the approval of the Chief Auditor, and, if the liability exceeds £250, to the sanction of a Judge of the Supreme Court. The power of voting by proxy is limited, so that no proxy-holder shall, in right of his proxies, exercise more than 250 votes. The Bank is empowered to make further provision out of profits for ascertained losses and deficiencies. The Bank's balance-sheet is made annual in lieu of halfyearly, as also is that of the Assets Board. Certain assets are transferred from the Estates Company to the Bank, and the Assets Board is empowered to transfer certain assets to the Bank, and other provisions of a general nature are enacted. No. 10. The Municipal Franchise Reform Act.—Extending the municipal franchise to residential occupants under a tenancy at the rate of not less than £10 per year for each occupant thereunder, and also to the owner of freehold property to the value of not less than £25, notwithstanding that a ratepayer is enrolled in respect thereof. The Act also provides that in case of husband and wife any qualification possessed by one of them shall be deemed to be possessed by both. The residential occupant's qualification does not entitle him to vote on any question relating to loans or rates. The Act abolishes plural voting at municipal polls, by providing that each voter shall have one vote and no more. Mo. 11. The Native Land Laws Amendment Act. —Providing that the Native land duty shall not be payable on conveyances from the Native owners to trustees, but on conveyances, &c, from the trustees to other persons than Natives. No. 12. The Water-supply Act Amendment Act. —Enlarging the powers and functions of County Councils, Water-supply Boards, and Borough Councils in relation to water-supply, and prescribing the mode of settling objections and disputes. No. 13. The Land-tax and Income-tax Act. —Imposing the annual land-tax of ld. in the pound on land and mortgages, and an income-tax of Is. in the pound on income in the case of companies (including persons engaged in shipping, and also certain agents), and in all other cases 6d. in the pound on income up to £1,000, and thereafter Is. . No. 14. The Old-age Pensions Act.—Granting to every reputable person of sixty-five years of age, who has resided in the colony for twenty-five years, a pension of £18 per year, diminished by £1 for every complete pound of income above £34, and also by £1 for every complete £15 of the net capital value of his accumulated property. The Act sets out the conditions which the pension claimant must fulfil, and the events involving forfeiture of the pension or of specified instalments. There are excluded from pensions all aliens; also aboriginal natives to whom moneys (other than pensions) are paid under "The Civil List Act, 1863"; also naturalised subjects, except such as have been naturalised for five years ; .also Chinese and other Asiatics, whether naturalised or not. The pension-moneys are payable without further appropriation than the Act, but this provision continues in operation only until the fourteenth day after the close of the second session of the now next succeeding Parliament. Every pension is granted subject to any repealing or amending Act hereafter passed. No. 15. The Shearers' Accommodation Act.—Providing for the appointment of Inspectors to inspect shearing-sheds, and requiring proper accommodation to be supplied to shearers to the Inspectors' satisfaction, with provision for appeal to the Magistrate in case of neglect or refusal on the part of the owner. The Act does not apply to shearing-sheds where the number of shearers employed is less than six, nor to shearers who live in the neighbourhood of the shed and sleep at their own homes. No. 16. The Slander of Women Act.—Providing that, words imputing unchastity or adultery to a woman shall be actionable, with provision that the plaintiff shall not recover more costs than damages unless the Court certifies that there was reasonable ground for bringing the action. The Act is founded on the Imperial Statute 54 and 55 Vict., cap. 51. No. 17. The Road Districts Validation Act. —Settling certain doubts as to the constitution of road districts. No. 18. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Act.—Extending the provisions of the existing law for Government loans to certain local authorities for irrigation, watersupply, or water-conservation; the total amount of all such loans not to exceed in any year £250,000, or in any one case £100,000; and no loan to be granted after the 31st March, 1902. The Act also makes various amendments of the existing law. No. 19. The Inspection of Machinery Act Amendment Act.—Altering the constitution of the Board of Examiners, by empowering the Minister to appoint a member to act daring the absence from Wellington of the Inspecting Engineer of the Mines Department, or the Chief Inspector of Machinery. No. 20. The Cemeteries Acts Amendment Act.—Providing for the audit of the accounts of the trustees by the Audit Office. No. 21. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Acts Amendment Act.—Providing for the raising of £500,000, to be applied: as to £175,000, in the construction of railways; as to £200,000, in acquiring additional rolling-stock, &c, for open lines ; and as to £125,000, in the construction of roads, tracks, and bridges, for the purposes of promoting land settlement and developing the goldfields. No. 22. The Dairy Industry Act.—Repealing the existing legislation on the subject, and making fuller provision for the inspection and situation of dairies, and the inspection of dairy pro-

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duce. The Act also provides for the destruction of diseased stock or infected produce, and regulates the export of dairy produce. Part 11. of the Act provides for Government advances of money to dairy companies, the total of all advances not to exceed £30,000 in any year, and the advance to any one company not to exceed £2,000. The advances, with interest at 5 per cent, per annum, are repayable by instalments extending over not more than fifteen years, and ate secured by a first charge over the assets and uncalled capital. No. 23. The Kauri-gum Industry Act. —Providing for the creation of kauri-gum districts, and the issue of licenses to gum-diggers and gum-buyers therein. Gum-diggers' licenses are special or ordinary. The qualification for a special license is that the applicant must be : (1) The holder of a freehold estate in land, or of a leasehold estate having an unexpired term of not less than three years ;or (2) a Native; or (3) a person who has been lawfully engaged in gum-digging for three months prior to the corning into operation of the Act; or (4) a British subject by birth or naturalisation. In the case of an ordinary license the applicant must (1) have resided in the colony for three months; or (2) be a British subject, by birth or naturalisation. A special or ordinary gum-digging license entitles the holder not only to dig for kauri-gum within any district, but also to take up and occupy as a residence or business site any area not exceeding two acres of unoccupied Crown land. The Act also provides for the creation of kauri-gum reserves in the neighbourhood of small settlements for the sole use of such license-holders as are members of the settlement or Natives resident in its vicinity. The Act is to be administered by the local authorities, and all license-fees received and penalties recovered are payable to them. No. 24. The Fencing Act Amendment Act.—Providing that the consideration of the benefit receivable from the erection of a rabbit-proof fence shall not apply within the Middle Island, or any such county in the Norch Island as the Governor appoints in that behalf on petition of the Council of the county. The Act also amends in other respects the existing legislation on the subject of fencing. No. 25. The Pharmacy Act.—Consolidating and amending the law relating to the registration of chemists and the sale of drugs. No. 26. The Homing-pigeons Protection Act.—Making it unlawful to kill or injure homingpigeons, and providing for the registration of their owners. No. 27. The Mining Companies Acts Amendment Act.—Exempting from the annual license duty any company whilst engaged exclusively in mining operations, notwithstanding that other purposes may be included in its articles. The Act also amends in other respects the existing law relating to mining companies. No. 28. The Native Townships Act Amendment Act. —Providing that Native townships may be formed within ten miles of each other. No. 29. The Rabbit-proof Wire-netting Fences Act.—Providing for the creation of districts and Boards for the erection of wire-netting fences and the abatement of the rabbit-nuisance; also for Government loans to the Boards. No. 30. The Land Drainage Amendment Act.—Making better provision for the removal of obstructions to watercourses; also empowering the Governor in Council to place drainage-works under exclusive control of one or more specified local authorities, with provision for apportioning the cost of management amongst all the local authorities concerned. No. 31. The Stock Act Amendment Act.—Providing for compensation in the case of horses, cattle, sheep, or swine destroyed by an Inspector by reason of their being diseased. The Act also makes provision for the appointment of special Inspectors of slaughterhouses, alters the dipping period in the North Island, and extends the definition of " brand." No. 32. The Road Boards Act Amendment Act.—Enlarging the functions and powers of Road Boards, and extending the principal Act to a certain Road Board. No. 33. The Admiralty House Act. — Empowering the Auckland Harbour Board to erect, furnish, and maintain a residence in or near Auckland for the Naval Commander-in-Chief of the Australasian Squadron : and providing for a Government grant of £1,000 in aid of the work, as also for the gift to the Board of the existing Admiralty House and grounds. No. 34. The Law Practitioners Act Amendment Act. —Providing that solicitors in practice for five years may be admitted to practise as barristers. No. 35. The Juries Act Amendment Act.—■ Limiting trial by special jury to cases where all the parties consent, or the Judge is of opinion that expert knowledge is required ; also extending the list of exemptions from juries, reducing the size of jury districts, giving to the Queen the same right of challenge as any other party possesses, reducing peremptory challenges from twelve to six, and providing for the discharge of the jury when they have deliberated for four hours or upwards and are unable to agree. No. 36. The Canterbury College Powers Act.—Empowering the college to borrow moneys for specified purposes and under specified restrictions. No. 37. The Public Revenues Acts Amendment Act. —Extending until the 31st March, 1904, the currency for which Treasury bills may be issued ; also providing that to the appropriation for Working Railways there may be added a sum equal to the excess of the actual over the estimated revenue from railways; and otherwise amending the Public Revenues Acts. No. 38. The Mining Act.—Consolidating and amending the law relating to mines and mining (other than in respect of coal). The Act gives greater security of tenure, reduces rents, relaxes the labour conditions, makes fuller and better provision for the safety of mines and the persons engaged therein, and otherwise amends the existing law and makes general provision for the administration of the Act. No. 39. The Reserves, Endowments, and Grown and Native Lands Exchange, Sale, Disposal, and Enabling Act. —Providing for the creation, exchange, and cancellation of reserves in various parts of the colony ; the investigation and settlement of various Native and other claims in respect of land; and the disposal of certain lands.

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No. 40. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Act.—ißnlarging and defining the powers of the Court of Arbitration as to penalties for breach of awards and the mode of enforcing them. The Act gives to the Court exclusive jurisdiction, but provides that in order to recover any penalty imposed, a certificate thereof under the hand of the Clerk may be filed in any other Court, and shall thereupon operate as a judgment of that Court, and be enforceable by execution and levy. In defining the powers of the Court of Arbitration, the Act confers power to fix a minimum rate of wages, but takes away the power to fix any age for the commencement or termination of apprenticeship. Provision is also made to facilitate the proceedings of the Court, and insure a speedy settlement of every dispute on its merits, and apart from technical defects ; for which purpose the Court, or the President, is empowered to add or join parties, amend or waive errors or defects, extend times, and otherwise make such orders as are deemed expedient in the premises. No. 41. The Appropriation Act. —Appropriating for the services of the year £2,678,130 out of the Consolidated Fund, £1,187,536 out of the Public Works Fund, and £169,997 out of separate accounts; also providing for the transfer of £425,000 from the Consolidated Fund to the Public Works Fund. Local Acts. No. 1. The Wellington Harbour Board Reclamation and Empowering Act.—Vesting certain land in the Wellington Harbour Board, with authority to reclaim the same from the sea. The Act also empowers the Board to borrow £150,000 for purposes of reclamation, harbour improvement, and other specified works. No. 2. The Hannaton Church Site Act.—Empowering the New Zealand Wesleyan Methodist Church to acquire a church site. No. 3. The Mairetahi Loan Conversion Act. —Empowering the Waitemata County Council to convert a loan of £1,000 by borrowing afresh at a lower rate of interest. No. 4. The Wanganui Hospital Board Empowering Act 1893 Extension Act.—Empowering the Board, with the Governor in Council's consent, to extend for ten years the currency of an existing loan of £5,000 at a lower rate of interest. No. 5. The Port Chalmers Mechanics' Institute Reserves Vesting Act. —■ Vesting in the Institute a small parcel of land at present vested in the Crown. No. 6. The University of Otago Leases and Securities Act.—Empowering the University to grant leases of certain lands; also to borrow money on the security of the rents and profits (but not of the fee-simple) of its endowments and lands. No. 7. The Wellington Harbour Board and Corporation Empowering Act.—Empowering the Board and City Council to exchange certain lands, undertake certain works, and, in the case of the Council, to borrow money for the purpose of paying to the Board the sum required for equality of exchange of the land. No. 8. The Onehunga Cemetery Act.—Providing for the closing of the existing cemetery at Onehunga and the opening of a new one. No. 9. The St. Albans Public Library Transfer Act 1893 Amendment Act.—Empowering the trustees of the library to sell certain lands and to apply the proceeds in improving the library. No. 10. The Borough of Onehunga Water-supply Act.—Providing for the better supply of water to the borough. No. 11. The New Plymouth Borough Reserves and Street Exchanges Act.—Changing the purposes of certain reserves and streets. No. 12. The Johnsonville School Reserve Act.—Vesting in the Johnsonville Town Board a parcel of land for the purposes of a public school. No. 13. The Wellington City Reclamation and Public Baths Act.—Providing for the widening of certain streets, and the erection and maintenance of city baths. No. 14. The Little River Domain Board Empowering Act. —Empowering the Board to sell certain reserves and purchase others with the proceeds, and declaring the objects for which such reserves shall be held. No. 15. The Clutha River Board Empowering Act. —Altering the constitution of the Board, and empowering the Board to purchase a steamer, and borrow money for the purpose. No. 16. The Akitio County Act. —Constituting the county, and defining its boundaries. No. 17. The Eketahuna County Act.—Constituting the county, and defining its boundaries. No. 18. The Borough of Masterton Private Roads Act. — Empowering the Council of the borough to declare certain private roads to be public, roads. No. 19. The Richmond Borough Council Empowering Act.—Empowering the Council of the borough to sell .certain land and invest the proceeds in the purchase of a public recreation-ground. No. 20. The Wairarapa South County Loan Act.—Empowering the County Council to borrow from the Government £2,500, in part discharge of an outstanding loan, and providing for the security. No. 21. The Wairarapa North County Loan the County Council to borrow from the Government £2,500, in part discharge of an outstanding loan, and providing for the security. No. 22. The Thames Borough Loan Conversion Act.—Empowering the Borough Council to convert outstanding loans of £6,500 and £3,500. No. 23. The Clyde Recreation-ground Sale and Disposal Act.—Empowering the Clyde Town Board to sell certain land and apply the proceeds in purchasing other land as a public domain. No. 24. The Petone Corporation Lighting and Sanitation Loans Empowering Act. —Empowering the Petone Borough Council to borrow £9,200 in order to acquire land, erect buildings, gasworks or electric-lighting works, and sanitation works, and making general provision in respect of these objects. 3—A. 1.

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No. 25. The Wellington High Levels Tramway Act.—Giving the necessary powers to the City Corporation of Wellington for the construction of a high-level tramway. No. 26. —The Wairoa Harbour Board Empowering and Loan Act.—Empowering the Harbour Board to construct harbour-works at the port of Wairoa, and for that purpose to borrow £5,000, with provision for the security. Private Acts. No. 1. The Stratford Electric Lighting Act.—-Empowering a company to do all works necessary in order to supply electrical energy, for public and private purposes, within a radius of three miles from the post-office, in the Borough of Stratford. No. 2. The McLean Motor-car Act.—Empowering the promoters, or any licensee under the Act, to use motor-cars, with power to the Governor in Council to regulate such use, the issue of licenses', and otherwise. Public Act, reserved for Her Majesty's Approval. The Divorce Act.—This Act has been reserved by the Governor for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon, pursuant to the Royal Instructions now in force. It provides (inter alia) that a petition for dissolution of marriage may be presented by husband or wife on the grounds that the respondent (1) has been guilty of adultery ; or (2) has for five years and upwards, without just cause, deserted the petitioner; or (3) has for four years and upwards been an habitual drunkard, and, if a husband, has either habitually left his wife without means of support, or habitually been guilty of cruelty towards her, or, if a wife, has habitually neglected her domestic duties and rendered herself unfit to discharge them ; or (4) has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for seven years or upwards for attempting to take the life of the petitioner. No covenant or agreement between the parties is a bar to the petition. If a decree is obtained against the husband, the Court may order him to make weekly or monthly payments to the wife. If the respondent opposes the petition, the Court may grant the same relief to the respondent as it might grant to the petitioner. Security may be required for alimony in case of a judicial separation. Fraudulent deeds may be set aside, and sale of property to defeat petitioner may be restrained. Non-compliance with decree for restitution of conjugal rights is declared to be desertion without reasonable cause, and the enforcement of the decree by attachment is abolished. Husband may not claim damages from co-respondent in respect of adultery committed more than three years before the filing of the petition. Suits may be heard in Chambers, and publication of the proceedings, may be forbidden. A wife who has obtained a decree of judicial separation is to be deemed a feme sole for the purposes of " The Married Women's Property Protection Act, 1880." The Act also makes other amendments of the existing law.

No. 25. (No. 77.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 14th December, 1898. With reference to your circular despatches, dated the 2nd September and the 14th September, 1898, relative to the establishment of a provisional modus vivendi between Her Majesty's colonies and Belgium, I have the honour to inform you that this Government does not desire that the provisions of this treaty should be extended to it. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 26. (No. 80.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 20th December, 1898. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—No. 63), dated the sth October, 1898, relative to " The Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Act, 1896," I have the honour to inform you that my Ministers propose to consolidate the New Zealand shipping laws, and that when this is done the remarks and suggestions of the solicitor to the Board of Trade will receive careful consideration. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 27. (No. 82.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 21st December, 1898. In reply to your circular despatch, dated the 20th August, 1898, regarding bounties paid on the export of agricultural produce from British colo-

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nies, I have the honour to inform you that the New Zealand Government pays no bounties of this nature. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 28. (No. 8.) Sib, — Government House, Wellington, 13th February, 1899. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—No. 76) dated the 13th December, 1898, relative to the appointment of Count Louis Antoine Marie Joseph Henri de Courte as Vice-consul of France at Wellington, I have the honour to inform you that, after the appointment had been published in the New Zealand Gazette, I had an interview with the Count de Courte. He explained to me that his appointment was that of Consul, not Vice-Consul, and that he was making representations Home regarding the same. I would add that France has been represented in this city by a Consul for many years. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1899, No. 36.

No. 29. (No. 10.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd February, 1899. With reference to your despatch circular, dated the Bth December, 1898, regarding the gold and silver production of this colony, I have the honour to forward you herewith a memorandum from the Minister of Mines bearing on this subject. I have, &c, The Eight. Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1899, No. 37.

Enclosure. (Memorandum 404.) Mines Department, 21st February, 1899. Refeeeing to despatch from the Secretary of State, dated the Bth December, 1898 (No. 32/99), I have to state that there is no means of ascertaining the quantity and value of gold and silver actually produced in the colony, and for statistical purposes generally the quantity and value of these metals entered for export annually has to be taken. The quantity of gold entered for export during the year ending the 31st December, 1897, was 251,644 oz., equal to 7,827-19 kilograms, of the value of £980,203; and of silver, 181,1600z., equal to 5,634-74 kilograms, of the value of £20,586. The quantities and values for the year 1898 being : gold, 280,175 oz., equal to 8,714-62 kilograms, valued at £1,080,691; and silver, 295,246 oz., equal to 9,183-69 kilograms, valued at £33,500. In estimating these values for export purposes, the commercial value has been taken by the Customs Department. A. J. CADMAN, Minister of Mines.

No. 30. (No. 11.) Sib, — Government House, Wellington, 24th February, 1899. : With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—No. 82) dated the j 24th December, 1898, having reference to the issue of an exequatur to enable ] the Hon. Mr. E. Oliver to act as Consul of Belgium at Dunedin: I have the honour to inform you that I am not aware of any objection to this gentleman's appointment, which has been provisionally recognised, and notification thereof has been published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 23rd instant. I have, &c. The Kight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1899 No. 38

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A., 2, 1899, No. 39.

No. 31. (No. 12.) Sib, — Government House, Wellington, 24th February, 1899. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—No. 83) dated the 24th December, 1898, having reference to the issue of an exequatur to enable Mr. J. Burns to act as Consul of Belgium at Auckland: I have the honour to inform you that I am not aware of any objection to this gentleman's appointment, which has been provisionally recognised, and notification thereof has been published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 23rd instant. I have, &c. The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain. RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

a.-2, 1899, No - 40 -

No. 32. (No. 13.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 25th February, 1899. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—No. 84) dated the 26th December, 1898, having reference to the issue of an exequatur to enable Mr. J. J. Kinsey to act as Consul of Belgium at Christchurch. I have the honour to inform you that I am not aware of any objection to this gentleman's appointment, which has been provisionally recognised, and notification thereof has been published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 23rd instant. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,425 copies), £10 18s.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB99. Price 9d.]

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