TO THE GOVERNOR OE NEW ZEALAND.

17

A.—No. la,

No. 17. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 89.) Sir, — Downing Street, sth December, 1871. I have received your Despatch No. 90, of the 28th September, with its enclosures, and I have to express my satisfaction at the exertions made by the Colony for its own defence. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBEELEY.

No. 18. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbekley to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 90.) Sir, — Downing Street, Bth December, 1871. I have had under my consideration your Despatch No. 54, of sth July, reporting the circumstances under which a party of eight convicts, with conditional pardons granted in England, had arrived in New Zealand from Western Australia, and the measures taken to remove them under the Colonial Law of 1867. In consequence of the objections raised by your Ministers to the present form of the conditional pardons granted to convicts in Western Australia, I have been in communication with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with a view to the alteration of the terms on which such pardons are granted. It appears that three only of the Australasian Colonies, namely, South Australia, Victoria, and New Zealand, have passed laws excluding convicts; but as the remaining Colonies of New South Wales, Tasmania, and Queensland might reasonably complain if, whilst convicts were specifically restricted by the terms of the pardons from proceeding to the three former Colonies, they were allowed, without breach of the conditions, to resort to other parts of Australia, it has been determined to insert for the future in the pardons a condition that the convict shall not go to any Australasian Colony, and that a breach of this condition will entail a forfeiture of the pardons. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBEELEY.

No. 19. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 95.) Sir, — Downing Street, 18th December, 1871. I have received your Despatch No. 92, of the 30th September, and the Papers which it enclosed. I learn with much satisfaction the improAred state of Native affairs, and lam glad to observe that the Maori representatives in Parliament take an active and intelligent part in debates bearing directly or indirectly on Native matters, and that they are listened to with attention. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBEELEY.

No. 20. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 13th December, 1871. I transmit to you, for your information and guidance, printed copies of a Circular addressed by the Lords of the Admiralty to Commanding Officers of Her 6