DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

A.—No. la,

66

Enclosure 1 in No. 63. (1.5.) At the Court at "Windsor, the 22nd day of April, 1872. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, Lord President, Loed Chambeblain, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer. Whereas by an Act passed in the Session held in the 15th and 16th years of Her Majesty's reign entitled "An Act to grant a Representative Constitution to the Colony of New Zealand," it is, amongst other things, declared, that no Bill which shall be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon shall have any force or authority within the Colony of New Zealand until the Governor of the said Colony shall signify, either by Speech or Message to the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said Colony, or by Proclamation, that such Bill has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and that Her Majesty has been pleased to assent to the same: And whereas a certain Bill passed by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said Colony, entitled " An Act to abolish Forfeitures for Treason and Felony, and to otherwise amend the Law relating thereto," was presented to the Officer Administering the Government of the said Colony for Her Majesty's assent: And whereas the said Bill was reserved by the said Officer for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon : And whereas the said Bill, so reserved as aforesaid, has been laid before" Her Majesty in Council, and it is expedient that the said Bill should be assented to by Her Majesty: Now therefore, Her Majesty, in pursuance of the said Act, and in exercise of the power thereby reserved to Her Majesty as aforesaid, doth, by this present Order, by and with the advice of Her Majesty's Privy Council, declare Her assent to the said Bill. And the Right Honorable the Earl of Kimberley, one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary directions herein accordingly. Aethue Helps.

Enclosure 2 in No. 63. (us.) At the Court at Windsor, the 22nd day of April, 1872. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, Lobd Peesident, Loed CHAMBEBLAnr, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer. Whereas by an Act passed in the Session held in the 15th and 16th years of Her Majesty's reign, entitled "An Act to grant a Eepresentative Constitution to the Colony of New Zealand," it is, amongst other things, declared, that no Bill which shall be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon shall have any force or authority within the Colony of New Zealand until the Governor of the said Colony shall signify, either by Speech or Message to the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said Colony, or by Proclamation, that such Bill has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and that Her Majesty has been pleased to assent to the same: And whereas a certain Bill passed by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said Colony, entitled (No. 02 of 35th Viet.) "An Act to admit Foreign Ships to the Coasting Trade," was presented to the Officer Administering the Government of the said Colony for Her Majesty's assent: And whereas the said Bill was reserved by the said Officer for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon : And whereas the said Bill, so reserved as aforesaid, has been laid befor Her Majesty in Council, and it is expedient that the said Bill should be assented to by Her Majesty : Now therefore, Her Majesty, in pursuance of the said Act, and in exercise of the power thereby reserved to Her Majesty as aforesaid, doth, by this present Order, by and with the advice of Her Majesty's Privy Council, declare her assent to the said Bill. And the Eight Honorable the Earl of Kimberley, one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary directions herein accordingly. Abthub Helps.

No. 64. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbbblbt to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 40.) Sm, — Downing Street, 17th May, 1872. I have received your Despatch No. 31, of 18th March, reporting the submission of the Maori chief, William King. I have much pleasure on this occasion in conveying to you the congratulations of Her Majesty's Government upon the success which has attended your endeavours and those of your Ministers to improve the relations between the Maoris and the settlers, and to make the Maoris sensible that their interests will be best promoted by abandoning hostility to the Government, and taking an active share in the works of improvement which are going on in the Colony. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBERLEY.