A.—2

26

No. 38. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberlet to Governor the Hon. Sir Arthur Gordon. (No. 7 ) Sir,— Downing Street, 19th March, 1881. With reference to Chief Justice Prendergast's Despatch No. 59, of the 10th September last, enclosing, with other Acts passed by the Legislature o£ New Zealand, a Bill intituled " An Act to legalize the Marriage of a Man with the " Sister of his Deceased Wife," which was reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure, I have the honor to transmit to you herewith an Order of Her Majesty in Council of the 2nd instant assenting to that Bill. Governor the Hon. Sir A. H. Gordon, I have, &c, G.C.M.G KIMBERLET

Enclosure in No. 38. (1.5.) At the Court at Windsor, the 2nd day of March, 1881. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, Loud President, Lord Steward, Marquis of Huntly, Mr. Bright, Sir Arthur Hobhouse. Whereas by an Act passed in the session held in the fifteenth and sixteenth years of Her Majesty's reign, intituled " An Act to grant a Representative Constitution to the Colony of New Zealand," it is amongst other things declared that no Bill which shall be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon shall have any force or authority within the Colony of New Zealand until the Governor of the said colony shall signify, either by speech or message to the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said colony, or by Proclamation, that such Bill has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and that Her Majesty has been pleased to assent to the same: And whereas a certain Bill passed by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said colony, intituled No. 57, of 1880, " An Act to legalize the Marriage of a Man with the Sister of his Deceased Wife," was presented to the Officer Administering the Government of the said colony, for Her Majesty's assent: And whereas the said Bill was reserved by the said Officer for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon: And whereas the said Bill so reserved as aforesaid, has beeu laid before Her Majesty in Council, and it is expedient that the said Bill should be assented to by Her Majesty : Now, therefore, Her Majesty, in pursuance of the said Act, and in exercise of the power thereby reserved to Her Majesty as aforesaid, doth by this present Order, by and with the advice of Her Majesty's Privy Council, declare Her assent to the said Bill. C. L. Peel.

Authority : Geoe&e Didseuky, Government Printer, "Wellington.—lBBl.

Price Is.]