TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND,

A.—No. la,

67

No. 65. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of KnrfBEBXEY to Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 10th May, 1872. With reference to my Circular Despatches of the 27th June, 1871, and the Ist February last, respecting the supply of British Silver Coins to Colonial Governments, I have the honor to transmit to you an extract of a further letter which has been received from the Treasury on the subject, explaining the objects contemplated by the issue of the Regulations enclosed in my Circular Despatch of the 27th of June, and the circumstances in which those Regulations were framed. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government KIMBERLEY. of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 65. Exteaot of-a Letter from Mr. Law to the TTndee Seceetaey op State, Colonial Office, dated Treasury Chambers, 30th April, 1872. I hate laid before the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury your letters dated 13th and 20th instant, forwarding despatches from the Governors of Jamaica, Barbados, Bermuda, British Guiana, and St. Vincent, with reference to the Regulations issued by this Board with regard to the supply of British Silver Coin for the use of the Colonies. Those Regulations were, as the Secretary of State is aware, issued in consequence of the strong representations made by certain of the Australian Colonies as to the deteriorated state of the Silver Coins in those Colonies, and the inability of the Governments to obtain a fresh supply from the local Banks. They were drawn up, after mature consideration, with the view of affording such facilities to the several Colonial Governments to procure the necessary supply from Her Majesty's Mint as appeared to my Lords justified, with a due regard to Imperial interests ; but there was no intention on the part of the Board to oblige the Colonial Governments to make any change in the arrangements actually in force which they were of opinion were best suited for the interests of each Colony. * # # # # The letter addressed to the Colonial Bank to which reference is made, was written under the impression that the Bank was making an application on their own account, and not on account of the Colonial Governments. If, however, the several Colonial Governments by which, as in the case of Barbados, arrangements have been made with the Colonial Bank to provide the necessary supplies will intimate to this Board that, in conformity with the Regulations of June, 1871, they are desirous that the Colonial Bank should act as their agent in this matter, my Lords have no objections to issue the necessary directions to the Deputy Master of the Mint to supply Silver Coins to the Bank. I am further to state that, owing to the delay which has been caused by the misapprehension which has arisen as to the intention of Her Majesty's Government, it would seem desirable that authority should at once be given for an issue to the Colonial Bank on account of these Colonial Governments, my Lords have therefore instructed the Deputy Master of the Mint to issue the sum of £10,000 to the Colonial Bank ; but they are of opinion that each of the Governments who are desirous of doing so should intimate to this Board that they have appointed the Colonial Bank to act as their agents.

No. 66. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbebjcbt to Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 11th May, 1872. With reference to my Circular Despatches of 29th February and 14th March, I have to inform you that a Bill, of which I enclose a copy, has been passed by the Erench National Assembly, and promulgated by the President of the Republic, for the establishment of Convict Stations in New Caledonia. Her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris has been assured that every care would be taken by the Erench Government to prevent the escape of any of the convicts after their arrival at the stations assigned to them. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government KIMBERLEY. of New Zealand. 18