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No. 22. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 58.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 17th December, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that the Queen has approved your appointment to be Governor of Victoria in succession to Sir George Bowen, who has been appointed to the Governorship of Mauritius. Sir George Bowen will leave Victoria by the Peninsular and Oriental mail steamer which will leave Melbourne for Galle on or about the 20th Eebruary, and I have to request that you will arrange to arrive in Victoria and to assume the government of that colony as soon as possible after your predecessor's departure. I have to add that your Commission and Instructions as Governor of Victoria will be sent to you as soon as possible, and that, in order to prevent any inconvenience from the possibility of the Letters Patent and Instructions being delayed, a temporary Commission to administer the government will be sent to you at once. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 23. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. Sir, — Downing Street, 19th December, 1878. A correspondence having recently taken place between this department and the Admiralty relative to the payment for coals, &c, consumed on board Her Majesty's ships when employed in the conveyance of the Governors of colonies and other officials on colonial service, I have the honor to call your attention to Lord Kimberley's circular despatch of the 13th December, 1871, on the subject, and to inform you that whenever a Governor requires a Queen's ship for any purpose which the naval authorities do not consider to be part of her ordinary duty, the cost of the coal will be charged against the colony under his government, and paid by it in the first instance. If, however, the Governor should be of opinion that the cost of the service in question should be charged, not against the colony under his government, but against some other colony, or against Imperial funds, such representations as he may make to this effect will be considered, and, if they appear right, the money will be refunded to the colony under his government. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 21. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson. (General.) Sir, — Downing Street, 21th December, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you herewith the Queen's Commission appointing you to administer the government of New Zealand in the event of the death, incapacity, or absence of the Governor. This Commission is issued to you pending the preparation of permanent Letters Patent and Instructions, and your Commission as Governor. Every effort will be made to complete the latter instruments so that you may be able to assume the government under them; but, in the event of their not being corn-