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Governor; and I hope that my remarks may be so fortunate as to meet with your Lordship's approval. 4. I also enclose an article from the New Zealand Times on the subject of this visit. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. ARTHUR GORDON.

No. 45. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor the Hon. Sir Arthur Gordon to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 22.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 16th May, 1881. In reply to your Lordship's Despatch No. 1, of the 12th January, I have the honor to enclose the copy of a memoradum addressed to me by the Premier, which contains the information desired by your Lordship with regard to certain provisions of the " Act to amend and consolidate the Law relating to the Native Land Court." I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. ARTHUR GORDON.

Enclosure in No. 45. Mbmoeandum foe His Excellency. The Premier presents his respectful compliments to the Governor, and forwards to His Excellency, for transmission to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, answers to the questions put by Lord Kimberley in his Despatch No. 1, of January 12, respecting certain provisions of "An Act to amend and consolidate the Law relating to the Native Land Court," passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand during the session of 1880, but to which Her Majesty has not yet been advised to assent. 2. To His Lordship's first question, the reply is, that all Assessors under the Act are Natives or half-castes. 3. The time within which applications for rehearings may be made was not shortened by the Act of 1880, as appears to be supposed by Lord Kimberley. Six months was fixed as the limit by the Act; of 1873, but this was reduced to three months by the Act of 1878, the longer period having been found very inconvenient, and to bear hardly upon Native owners. The Act of 1880 continues the limit of three months. 4. The change in the authority having power to order rehearings has, it is believed, brought the proceedings of the Court more nearly into accord with those of ordinary English Courts. In addition to this, it was doubtless considered by the Legislature to be desirable the responsibility should be placed where the real power had long rested; for, in fact, the Governor in Council has during fifteen years followed the advice of the Chief Judge, excepting in two cases only. Wellington, sth May, 1881. John Hall.

Authority: Q-eob&e Didsbttby, G-oyernment Printer, Wellington. —1881