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O'Rorke, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, expressing his acknowledgments for the honor of knighthood which it is proposed to confer upon him. I understand that Mr. O'Rorke has caused the amount due for the fees upon the patent to be paid to the Home Department. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. Sir M. Hicks Beach, Bart., &c.

No. 11. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach. (No. 39.) Government House, Wellington, Sir, — New Zealand, 17th June, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular despatch of the 31st March last, and, in reply, to forward to you a memorandum which I have received upon the subject from Ministers, showing that the proposals contained in your despatch are already observed in New Zealand. I have, &c., HERCULES ROBINSON. - The Right Hon. Sir M. Hicks Beach, Bart., &c.

Enclosure in No 11. Memorandum for His Excellency. Mtnistees have the honor to state, with reference to the circular of March 31st, from the Colonial Office, that no cap-badge or button, worn by the colonial forces, bears the Imperial device. (2.) The cap-badges and buttons on the new uniform, which has been ordered from England, will have the letters " N.Z." in the centre of the garter; and this, it is believed, will be regarded by the Imperial authorities as satisfying the suggestions made as to the use of a " distinguishing device." (3.) Gold lace is not worn by any of the New Zealand forces. Wellington, 17th June, 1880. John Hall.

No. 12. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir Hercules Robinson to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 42.) Government House, Wellington, My Loud, — New Zealand, sth July, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your predecessor's circular despatch of the 22nd January, 1880, forwarding a Code of Rules prepared and recommended by the Committee appointed to revise procedure and scale of fees in the Vice-Admiralty Courts in the colonies, and asking to be informed of the views of this Government, and of the Judge of the Vice-Admiralty Court in this colony, upon them. In reply, I now beg to forward to your Lordship a memorandum which I have received from my Ministers, covering correspondence with the Chief Justice upon the subject, and reporting that the Attorney-General agrees with the several suggestions made by the Judges as set forth in the Chief Justice's letter. I have, &c, HERCULES ROBINSON. The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley.

Enclosure in No. 12. Memokanduji for His Excellency. Ministees present their respectful compliments to the Governor, and forward for His Excellency's information copy of correspondence with his Honor the Chief Justice respecting the proposed Amended Eegulations, &c, for Vice-Admiralty Courts in the Colonies. The Attorney-General agrees with the several suggestions made by the Judges as set forth in the Chief Justice's letter. "Wellington, 25th June, 1880. John Ham..