A.—4,

1882. NEW ZEALAND.

SIR A. GORDON'S VISIT TO FIJI, AND RESUMPTION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND (PAPERS RESPECTING).

Presented to loth Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis 'Excellency.

No. 1. His Excellency the Goveenob to the Peemiee. Actihg on the supposition, originally entertained both by His Excellency and his Advisers, that the present session of the Legislature would have terminated in the first week of September, arrangements have been made for one of Her Majesty's ships to convey the Governor to Fiji on the 12th instant, and the Lands Appeals Court of Fiji has been summoned to meet in the middle of the month. His Excellency would, therefore, wish to learn whether Ministers consider that any serious public inconvenience would be caused by his being absent during the last few days of the session, or whether, in their opinion, he may without injury to the public service adhere to his intention of leaving Wellington on the Bth or 9th instant. There can be no doubt that any delay in his visit to Fiji will seriously affect the arrangements there made in anticipation of it. sth September, 1881. A. H. G.

No. 2. The Peemieb to His Excellency the Goveenoe. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier presents his respectful compliments to the Governor ; and begs to state, in reply to His Excellency's memorandum of yesterday's date, that Ministers are of opinion that no serious public inconvenience will result from His Excellency's departure for Fiji on the 12th instant: it being understood that, so soon as Her Majesty's ship which conveys His Excellency from Auckland has got out of New Zealand waters, the Dormant Commission will come into force, so that the Chief Justice may at once be sworn as Administrator of the Government. "Wellington, September 6th, 1881. John Hall.

No. 3. His Excellency the Goyebhoe to the Seceetary. of State for the Colonies. My Loed, — Government House, New Zealand, 7th September, 1881. I need hardly remind your Lordship that, under the arrangements sanctioned by your Lordship for my retention of a certain " supervision " over native affairs in Fiji, it was contemplated that I should pay an annual visit to that colony, to take part in the sittings of the Executive Council for the rehearing of claims to land. It was settled between my Responsible Advisers and myself, that the best time for this visit would be immediately after the close of the session of the General Assembly of New Zealand. 2. It was supposed that the present session would terminate during the first week in September, and accordingly it was settled that H.M.S. " Emerald" should call for me at Auckland on the 10th or 12th instant; and notice was given by the Governor of Fiji that the lands appeals would be heard at Nasova about the 15th of the month. 3. The session has, however, been unexpectedly prolonged, and I have had to determine whether to delay my departure or to leave before the prorogation. 4. After consulting my Ministers, I have come to the conclusion to adhere to the arrangements already made, as I learn from them that my absence from Wellington will not be productive of any public inconvenience, while, no doubt, some annoyance and trouble would be caused by any long detention, at Auckland, of the " Emerald " (which has already arrived at that port), or by the postponement of the announced sittings of the Land Court in Fiji.