A.—lα

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (IN CONTINUATION OF A.-1, 1892.)

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

• No. 1. My Low,— Government House, Wellington, 29th February, 1892. I have the honour to report to you that His Excellency the Governor, Lord Onslow, took his departure from New Zealand on the 25th instant, and that subsequently on the same day, the proper oaths having been duly administered to me and the Commission to the Chief Justice published, I assumed the administration of the Government, by virtue of that Commission and my office as Chief Justice. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford.

No. 2. My Lobd, — Government House, Wellington, 21st April, 1892. With reference to your Despatch No. 6, of the 4th February last, transmitting a copy of a despatch from the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, I have the honour to inform you that, having invited my Government to take into consideration the suggestions contained in the High Commissioner's despatch, I have received from the Prime Minister a reply that instructions have been issued to collectors of Customs to make inquiry as to the nationality of any masters applying for a license under " The Pacific Islanders' Protection Act, 1875." I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford.

A.-2A, 1892 No. 9.

No. 3. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 19th May, 1892. I have the honour to inform you that since Lord Onslow's departure in February last there have not occurred any political events of importance. Mr. Thompson, the member for the House of Eepresentatives for the District of Bruce, having resigned his seat, Mr. James Allen was elected in his place by a majority of 557, the other candidate polling 528. The successful candidate is an opponent of the present Ministry. The district is pastoral and agricultural. Tt is, I think, not possible yet to form any opinion as to whether the taxation measures introduced by the present Ministry will, when brought into operation, be more acceptable to the people than those which they are intended to replace.