A.—No. 1.

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW

88

I have also transmitted by this mail to the Duke of Edinburgh several further Addresses to His Royal Highness from some of the above, and from other public bodies in this Colony. G. P. B.

No. 57. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. (No. 77.) Government House, Wellington, My Loud Duke, — 6th August, 1868. I have the honor to transmit herewith the account published in the local journals of the first meeting, on the evening of the 4th instant, of the New Zealand Institute, when, at the request of the Board of Governors, I delivered the Inaugural Address, of which I now forward copies. 2. Although an animated debate on an important party question (the general policy of the present Ministry) was proceeding in the House of Representatives, both Houses of Parliament adjourned for the purpose of hearing my Address; and in my prefatory remarks I expressed my sense of the personal honor thus paid to me, as well as my admiration of so signal a triumph of science over politics. 3. Your Grace will doubtless have observed with pleasure that the long pressure of internal war and of financial difficulties did not prevent the New Zealand Parliament from passing, during the Session of 1867, an Act (31 Victoria, No. 36) for the foundation and endowment of an Institute, with a Public Museum and Laboratory, and a Public Library attached to it. The various practical objects of this Institution and of its affiliated Societies are explained in my Inaugural Address. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. G. P. BOWEN.

No. 58. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. (No. 84.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord Duke,— 28th August, 1868. I have the honor to state that my Responsible Advisers have communicated to Sir George Grey, in the usual manner, copies of your Grace's Despatches in reply to Despatches written by him; and that lam now requested by the Colonial Secretary (Mr. Stafford) to transmit the enclosed letter addressed to your Grace by Sir G. Grey. I have, &c, G. P. BOWEN. His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos.

Enclosure in No. 58. Sir G-eoege Geet, X.C.8., to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic,— Kawau, 28th July, 1868. I have the honor to request that you will be good enough to move His Excellency th© Governor to transmit the enclosed letter to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, I have, &c, Wellington. G. Geet.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 58. Sir G. Geey, X.C.8., to the Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. Mt Loed Duke,— Kawau, 28th July, 18G8. I had the honor yesterday of perusing your Despatch No. 22, of the 28th February last, to Sir George Bowen, in reply to my Despatch No. 131, of the 23rd November last. In that Despatch, 1 brought under notice that Lord Carnarvon had received, in breach of the Queen's Regulations, a letter written by a subordinate officer in this country, His Lordship being at the time aware that no copy of that letter had been communicated to the Governor.