47

A.—2

No. 62. (No. 130.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 12th December, 1902. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Act, No. 34 of 1902, of the Legislature of New Zealand, entitled "An Act to amend ' The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901.'" a transcript of which accompanied a.-i, 1903. Sir E. Stout's despatch No. 90 of the 27th October last. No - 25 - I have, &c, For the Secretary of State, ' ONSLOW. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 63. (No. 131.) My Lord. — Downing Street, 16th December, 1902. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the consideration of your Ministers, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule. I have, &c, For the Secretary of State, ONSLOW. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Dear Sir, — House of Commons, Bth December, 1902. I am asked by one of the survivors from the " General Grant " to draw your attention to the enclosed cutting from the Belfast Irish News of a few days ago, and to inquire whether, in the event of treasure being found, the prospectors will be at liberty to remove it. Yours, &c, J. MacVeagh.

An American schooner has arrived in New Zealand with a party who propose to search for long lost treasure. Nearly forty years have passed since the ship "General Grant" left Australia for London with a cargo of gold and wool. At one of the Auckland Islands, near New Zealand, she met with a frightful fate. She was sucked into a sort of colossal cave, but it is possible she might have got out if a large wave had not lifted her so high that the masts striking the roof were driven through her bottom. Through the openings thus made the water rushed in, and she speedily sank. Only one sailor and two children were saved. After some months on the island they were picked up by a passing steamer and taken to New Zealand. Several attempts have been made to recover the large quantity of gold that went down in the " General Grant," but they were all failures. It remains to be seen whether the American adventurers will be more successful. If they should recover the gold, is it their property ? That seems a nice legal point.

No. 64. (No. 132.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 18th December, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 81) of the 6th October, reporting the departure for England of Sir A. Douglas, Under-Secretary for Defence. 2. 1 have not failed to bring the valuable services rendered by him in connection with the despatch of the New Zealand Contingents to South Africa to the notice of the Secretary of State for War, and the Commander-in-Chief, who have expressed their high appreciation of his good work. I have, &c. For the Secretary of State, ONSLOW. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of llanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

Date. From To Subject. ith December, Mr. J. MacVeagh, Colonial Office... | Treasure lost in 1902 M.P. Grant." the ship " General