A.—2

14

6. The superintendent should not be permitted to cultivate vegetables for the table of any public officer or private individual but his own, or that of other persons employed in the garden; and in all such cases the value of this perquisite should be calculated as part of the salary or wages of the individual who enjoys it. He should not cultivate for his own table rare or expensive fruits, such as take much care or time, or offer temptation for pilfering With regard to supplying occasionally or periodically the table of the Governor with vegetables, fruit, flowers, &c, this, as a duty imposed on the superintendent, is in every respect objectionable; but, on the other hand, a superintendent must be ineligible or inefficient who has not a sufficient supply of flowers to send frequently to the Governor's house, if not far distant, or who does not use every effort to gratify those institutions or persons, public or private, who actively promote the interests of the gardens. Under no circumstances are fees for such objects to be accepted. 7 A sufficient stock of all useful and ornamental plants should be kept for interchange with other gardens in the colony, and elsewhere; and, further, the superintendent may often be required to cultivate a large stock of certain plants for distribution in the colony or elsewhere. In the case of interchange, a sufficient return, in kind or otherwise, should be required, at the discretion of the superintendent; but no general distribution should ever take place except •under the orders of Government, which should further decide under which of the following conditions the stock should be distributed : — (a.) By sale by auction, or otherwise ; (b.) Gratis, under guarantee that the recipient of the plants will devote a certain amount of land, time, and labour to their cultivation; (c.) Gratis to Government establishments, or to colonists or others who have benefited the gardens directly or indirectly Specific information regarding any of the above points may be had by application to the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew, who will be glad to recommend the books most suited to each colonial garden, and the best and least expensive way of procuring them. He will also give assistance towards naming dried specimens of the plants of the colony for the superintendent, provided the latter keeps up an herbarium, and a proper correspondence in plants, &c, with the Royal Gardens. Jos. D. Hooker, Director, Royal Gardens, Kew

No. 24. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (No. 35.) Sir,— Downing Street, 22nd October, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Sir Hercules Robinson's Despatch No. 51, of the 13th of August last, with its enclosures, respecting a statement made by Sir George Grey that the Governor had given a promise to the Maori members of the House of Representatives that the Maori prisoners in gaol should be tried in January or February, and that the word of the Crown had in this respect been violated. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government KIMBERLEY. of New Zealand.

No. 25. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (No. 38.) Sir,— Downing Street, 28th October, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 57, of the 9th ultimo, reporting your assumption on that day of the government of New Zealand, pending the arrival of Sir A. Gordon, G O.M.G I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government KIMBERLEY of New Zealand.