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Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 52. Memorandum from the Public Trustee. The charge of the estates of intestate persons dying in the Colony of New Zealand is entirely in the hands of the Public Trustee,* who administers without order if the amount be less than £50, or in pursuance of order of administration granted by the Supreme Court in the case of estates the value of which is £50 or upwards. Such orders are granted on application when three months have elapsed from the date of death, or earlier on cause being shown.f In either case administration may be granted subsequently to persons entitled to administer. Real estate belonging to male persons who leave a widow or child becomes personalty. J The English Statute of Distributions is the law for the distribution of estates among the next of kin, with the following exception —namely, that where the next of kin is the widow of the deceased, having children all under the age of fifteen years, the whole residue may be paid to the ■widow by the Public Trustee if the amount does not exceed £50, or, if exceeding that sum, may be paid to the widow under an order of a Judge of the Supreme Court.§ J. Woodward, Public Trust Office, Wellington, 26th July, 1879. Public Trustee.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 52. " The Public Trust Office Act Amendment Act, 1873." (Vide Supplement to New Zealand Gazette No. 56, of 25th September, 1873.)

Sub-Enclosure 3 to Enclosure in No. 52. "The Real Estate Descent Act, 1874." (Vide Supplement to New Zealand Gazette No. 50, of 17th September, 1874.)

Sub-Enclosure 4 to Enclosure in No. 52. "The Public Trust Office Act, 1876." (Vide Supplement to New Zealand Gazette No. 56, of 19th October, 1876.)

No. 53. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 48.) Government House, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 15th August, 1879. I have the honor to report that I have, upon advice of Ministers, this day dissolved the General Assembly of New Zealand. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach.

No. 54. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach. (No. 49.) Government House, Wellington, Sib, — New Zealand, 15th August, 1879. At the desire of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, I have the honor to forward to you, for presentation to Her Majesty, an address of condolence on the occasion of the lamented death of Her Royal Highness the Princess Alice. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach.

Enclosure in No. 54. To Her Most Excellent Majesty Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India. Most Gracious Sovereign,— We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the members of the Legislative Council of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, take an early opportunity of humbly submit-

* Act No. 27, of 1873. + Act No. 43, of 1876. J Act No. 84, of 1874. § Act No. 43, of 1876, eecs. 6 and 7.