A.—l

1890. NEW ZEALAND.

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. (No. 21.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 16th May, 1889. I have the honour to report that on the 17th April last I left Sydney by the mail steamer, and arrived at Auckland on the 21st April. I left Auckland on the 25th April, and travelled overland to Wellington, which I reached on the afternoon of the 2nd instant. I was duly sworn in here the same day as Administrator of the Government of this colony. The public reception which I met with both at Auckland and Wellington was of a most cordial and gratifying character, and was taken part in by all classes alike. A full account is given in the Auckland Weekly Herald, of the 27th April, and the New Zealand Times, of the 3rd instant, which are amongst the newspapers forwarded by this mail. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.

No. 2. (No. 22.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 16th May, 1889. With reference to your Lordship's despatch of the 13th November, 1888, respecting 54 G-eo. 111., cap. 15, sections 15 and 17 of £ and 6 Will. IV., cap. 62, and 22 -and 23 Viet., pap. 12, I have the honour to enclose the opinion of Mr. W. S. Keid, Solicitor-General, which has been forwarded to me by the Premier. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &e. ONSLOW.

A.-2,1890, No. 1

Enclosure. Although the Legislature in New Zealand has not availed itself of the power to repeal, alter, or amend the provisions of 54 Geo. 111., cap. 15, or of sections 15 and 17 of 5 and 6 Will. IV., cap. 62, lam not aware of any objection to their repeal, nor to the repeal of 22 and 23 Viet., cap. 12. The principal enactment is practically inoperative, and is not taken advantage of by litigant parties. I may observe that by inadvertence Lord Knutsford's circular refers to 54 Geo. 111., cap. 62, but cap. 15 is evidently meant. This is evident not alone from the subject-matter of the statute, but also from Mr. Gray's letter to the Colonial Office, a copy of which is with these papers. 3rd May, 1889. W. S. Eeid.

No. 3. (No. 23.) My Loed,— Government House, Wellington, 17th May, 1889. With reference to your Lordship's despatch, No. 4, of the 15th March last, respecting the appointment of Mr. J. Darcey Connolly as Consul for the I—A. 1.

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