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The Premier understands that a like memorial has been, or will be, forwarded to Lord Kimberley from each of the other colonies on behalf of the Government of which the document is signed. "Wellington, 12th February, 1881. John Hall. [For Sub-Enclosure, see Appendix to Journals of House of Representatives, 1881, A.—3, page 17.]

No. 43. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor the Hon. Sir Arthur Gordon to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 10.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 22nd February, 1881. With reference to your Lordship's Despatch No. 29, of the 7th September, 1880, giving cover to a claim from the Lords of the Admiralty upon the Colonial Government for payments made on behalf of a New Zealand boy in 1862-63, I have the honor to enclose a copy of a memorandum addressed to me by the Minister for Native Affairs, in which he states that no information on the subject can be found in either the Native Office or the Colonial Secretary's Office. Search has also been made for papers connected with it in my Private Secretary's office, but without result. 2. It appears, from the vouchers forwarded by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty (and which I have now the honor to return), that the payments in question were not made in this country or within the limits of the Australian station, but on board one of Her Majesty's ships stationed at Devonport. There is' nothing to show that the boy came on board the " Impregnable," in New Zealand, or where or how he joined that ship, or that it was at the desire, or with knowledge, of the authorities of the colony that he did so ; and in these circumstances the Government of New Zealand can scarcely be expected to acknowledge a claim, the presentation of which has been delayed for nearly twenty years, and the details and authenticity of which are no longer ascertainable. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. ARTHUR GORDON.

Enclosure in No. 43. Memoeandum for His Excellency the Goveenob. "With reference to the accompanying despatch from the Secretary of State, No. 29 of the 7th of September last, transmitting a claim from the Admiralty, amounting to the sum of £7 Bs. 3d., for the maintenance of a New Zealand boy in 1863, His Excellency is respectfully informed that search has been made in the Native and Colonial Secretary's offices, but that no papers can bo traced on the subject. It is suggested, however, that a search should be made to ascertain whether there is any information regarding the claim in the Private Secretary's office. Native Office, Wellington, Bth February, 1881. "War. Eolleston.

No. 44. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor the Hon. Sir Arthur Gordon to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 13.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 26th March, 1881. I have the honor to inform your Lordship that I have lately made a tour in the Southern Island of New Zealand. I was everywhere received with the greatest respect and cordiality, and more especially so by the Scotch settlers, who form the hulk of the population of Otago. 2. I venture to enclose reports of the speeches made by m; at Chris:church and Invercargill: not that there is in either of them anything i l the least degree worthy of your Lordship's notice, but because the first public utterances of a new Governor have generally some effect on the popular estimate of his subsequent administration. 3. I thought it right to show that my long experience in the government of Crown colonies had not led me to forget the obligations of a constitutional

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