A.—No. 1a

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DESPATCHES PROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW

sentence of death; and establishes the jurisdiction of Judges of the Supreme Court in tho districts assigned to them when absent from such districts. No. 80. The Eegistration of Electors Act, 1866, consolidates and amends the law relating to the formation and revision and correction of electoral rolls ; simplifies the forms of claims to vote; provides for retention on the roll of the names of freeholders absent from the Colony, and not otherwise disqualified. No. 81. The Gold Fields Members Qualification Act, 1866, declares that persons who by virtue of " The Miners' Bepresentation Act, 1862," " The Miners' Eepresentation Act, 1863," and of " The Miners' Eepresentation Act Amendment Act, 1865," are entitled to vote at elections for the Gold Fields of Members of the House of Bepresentatives and Provincial Councils ; are qualified to be elected Members of the House of Bepresentatives or Provincial Councils for certain Gold Fields Districts. No. 82. The Appropriation Act, 1866, grants to Her Majesty certain sums for the expenditure of the Government of New Zealand for the service of the financial year; and indemnifies the Colonial Treasurer for excess of expenditure over sums authorized by " The Appropriation Act, 1863," and " The Appropriation Act, 1865." Local and Personal Acts. No. 1. The Dunedin Water Works Act Amendment Act, 1866, enables the Company to borrow £15,000 upon mortgage bond or debenture, and to let meters for hire ; and imposes penalties upon persons improperly taking water supplied by the Company. No. 2. The Presbyterian Church of Otago Lands Act, 1066. —Pursuant to certain terms of purchase between the New Zealand Company and the Members of " The Otago Association," numerous allotments of land had been acquired and appropriated for religious and educational uses connected with the Presbyterian Church of Otago, and other lands had been acquired by purchases out of rents and profits of those first appropriated, by the deed of trust and relative institutes mentioned in the preamble, and agreements had been made for the grant of certain portions for religious and educational purposes, and for the exchange of other portions. This Act was passed more effectually to provide for carrying into effect the trusts of tho said lands ; to vest them in certain trustees ; and to enable the trustees to carry into effect the agreements for granting and exchanging. No. 3. The Otago Southern Trunk Eailway Act, 1866, provides for the construction of a railway between the City of Dunedin and the Township of Balclutha, in the Province of Otago, giving the promoters powers for tho compulsory purchase of land, and providing for payment of purchase money or compensation out of the revenues of the Province, adopts with certain modifications various provisions of the Act of " The Imperial Parliament Eailway Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845," and contains other provisions for carrying out the proposed undertaking, selling, leasing, and managing the railway, and as to charges, tolls, accounts, bye-laws, and regulations.

No. 14. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.8., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. (No. 14.) Christchurch, Canterbury, My Lord, — 11th January, 1867. I have the honor to report to your Lordship my arrival at this place, and to enclose for your information copies of the addresses I have received from the MunicipaHties of this City, and of the Port of Lyttelton, as also copies of my replies to those addresses. I trouble your Lordship on this subject because I am sure it will gratify you to hear from me that the Province of Canterbury has made, and continues to make, the most rapid progress in wealth and prosperity of every kind, and because I am also well aware how great a pleasure it will be for you to make known to the Queen how contented, happy, and prosperous Her Majesty's subjects in this portion of Her dominions are—and how deep a feeling of loyalty they cherish to Her Majesty's person and throne. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. G. GREY.

Enclosures in No. 11. Address from the Christchurch City Council to Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.8., and Beply. To His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.8., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, and Vice-Adiniral of the Islands of New Zealand. May it Please Your Excellency,— We, the Chairman and members of the Christchurch City Council, desire to congratulate your Excellency upon your visit to our city. We hail with great satisfaction the presence of Her Majesty's representative amongst us.