A.—2.

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No. 56. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson, (No. 32.) Sir,— Downing Street, 18th June, 1879. With reference to Chief Justice Prendergast's Despatch No. 14, of the 20th of March, in reference to the judgment of Mr. Justice Gillies in the Supreme Court, in the case of Eegina v. Eennell, I have the honor to transmit to you the copy of a circular despatch which I have addressed to the Governors of Australian Colonies (excepting Eiji), forwarding copies of the Western Pacific Order in Council, 1877. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure in No. 56. Copy of Circular Despatch from the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governors of Australian Colonies. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 18th June, 1879. From reports which I have received of the proceedings which took place in the Supreme Court of New Zealand in a recent case, liegina v. llennell, in which the prisoner was accused of murder at Bontaritari, one of the islands of the Gilbert or Kingsmill Group, in the Pacilie Ocean, it appears that the Court had no knowledge of the existence of the Western Pacific Order in Council of 1877, passed for the better government of Her Majesty's subjects in some islands and places in the Pacific Ocean. It is believed that the Governor of Fiji communicated copies of this Order in Council on its promulgation to the Governors of all the Australasian Colonies, in accordance with instructions which he received from the Secretary of State; but, as it appears either not to have reached New Zealand or to have been overlooked in that colony, I think it advisable to send you the accompanying copy for the use of your Government. I beg to refer you in connection with the order to section 6 of the Pacific Islanders Protection Act of 1875, 38 and 39 Vict., c. 51. I have, &c., M. E. Hicks Beach.

No. 57. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Oeeicer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Parliamentary.) Sir,— Downing Street, 25th June, 1879. I have sent you, "per book post," certain parliamentary papers, the titles and numbers of copies of which are specified below; and I request you will be good enough to acknowledge their receipt. Title of Paper. No. of Copies. Victoria Constitutional Question ... ... 2 I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering tlie Government of New Zealand.

No. 58. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson. (No. 37.) Sir, — Downing Street, 22nd July, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 16, of the 13th of May last, transmitting a memorandum from Sir George Grey, sub-