TO THE GOVERNOR OE NEW ZEALAND.

47

A.—No. 1.

May 22, 1867.

No. 50.

Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Duke of Buckingham to Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. (No. 39.) Sir,— Downing Street, 26th June, 18G7. With reference to my Despatch of the 1st of May, apprizing you of the probability that H.M.S. " Galatea," under the command of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh would visit the Colony under your Government, I think it desirably that you should receive some instructions for your guidance as to His Royal Highness's reception. The Duke of Edinburgh on his first arrival in a British Colony or Settlement, and on his final departure from it, but not upon other occasions, should have all the usual and proper honors paid to him by way of salutes, guards of honor, and other public marks of respect as a member of the Royal family. His Royal Highness will receive addresses and make replies to them, and take part in public ceremonies in cases which are suggested or approved by the Governor or Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony or Settlement. I have, &c, BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS. Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B.

No. 51. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Duke of Buckingham to Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. (No. 40.) Sir,— Downing Street, 28th June, 1867. I referred, for the consideration of the Board of Trade, the Act of your Government which accompanied your Despatch No. 10, of the 12th of January, entitled " An Act to regulate Steam Vessels and the Boats and Lights to be carried by Sea-going Vessels," and I transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter which has been received in reply. You will observe that their Lordships suggest the amendment of this Act in several particulars, and I would recommend all the observations which they have made to the earnest attention of yourself and of your Government. I consider it essential that section five should be amended in the manner pointed out by their Lordships, as it seems inadvisable to require surveys of British or Foreign Steamers merely trading to New Zealand, when such steamers have the proper certificates of their own country. It will further be necessary that section thirty should be repealed, as the rules to which it refers, respecting the carrying of lights and signals have been superseded by the regulations contained in an Order in Council, dated the 9th of January, 1863. In the express expectation that these amendments will be made in the Act Her Majesty will be advised to leave this Act in operation. I have, &c.j BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS. Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B.

Enclosure in No. 51. Mr. Gray to Undeb Secbetaky, Colonial Office. Sib,— Board of Trade, Whitehall, 22nd May, 1867. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, transmitting, with the copies of three other Acts, the copy of an Act passed by the Legislature of New Zealand, entitled "An Act to regulate Steam Vessels, and the Boats and Lights to be carried by Sea-going Vessels," and requesting that this Board will inform the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, whether they see any reason why this Act should not be left in operation. In reply I am to state for the information of His Grace, that the Board of Trade are unable to recommend an unqualified assent to the Act referred to, for the reasons stated at length below. As regards the application of the Act, it would appear from sections 12 and 45 that the only steamers which are exempted from its provisions are Her Majesty's vessels of war, and, under certain regulations steam vessels belonging to the British Colonies. All British steamers, therefore, registered in the United Kingdom and trading with New Zealand, as well as all ships belonging to foreign countries trading there would come within the operation of the Act as it at present stands.