A.—2

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No. 65. (General.) My Lord, — Downing Street, sth February, 1903. With reference to Mr. Chamberlain's despatch ("General") of the 22nd of August last, and previous correspondence relative to the proposed application to New Zealand of "The Colonial Solicitors Act, 1900," I have the honour to state, for the information of your Ministers, that Mr. Chamberlain laid before the Incorporated Law Society for their favourable consideration the suggestion of the New Zealand Law Society: that, in view of the fact that service under articles is not compulsory in New Zealand, the requirements of the Act would be met if the Order in Council extending it to the colony required candidates for admission to produce a certificate from a Judge of the Supreme Conrt that such candidate had, before commencing practice in New Zealand, been engaged exclusively in acquiring a practical knowledge of law for a period of not less than three years, either under articles of clerkship or law pupilage (under subsection (4) of section V., or subsection (4) of section XVI. of " The Law Practitioners Act, 1861 "), or otherwise in the employment of a practising barrister or solicitor. (2.) The Incorporated Law Society at first expressed themselves unable to agree to this suggestion as an adequate alternative to service under articles ; but, on a further representation being made to them, they have since agreed that a certificate from the solicitor or barrister in whose office an applicant has been employed to the effect that he has, before qualifying for practice in New Zealand, been engaged exclusively in acquiring a practical knowledge of law for a period of not less than than three years, on being confirmed by a Judge of the Supreme Court after personal inquiry into the applicant's qualifications, might be regarded as sufficient, and accepted in lieu of service under articles. 3. I have, therefore, to request you to ascertain whether your Ministers are prepared to meet the views of the Incorporated Law Society, and arrange for provision being made either by law or regulation for the observance of the above conditions; and I shall be glad at the same time to learn whether they are prepared to make the amendment to the law of New Zealand indicated in the second paragraph of the despatch above referred to, in order to provide that English barristers or solicitors who have been in practice in England for not less than three years shall be entitled to practise in New Zealand without further examination. I have, &c, For the Secretary of State, ON SLOW. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 66. (No. 5.) Downing Street, 6th February, 1903. A despatch signifying that 11 is Majesty will not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance with respect to the Acts of the New Zealand Legislature passed in the session of Parliament, 1902. [List of Acts published in the New Zealand Gazette No. 25, of 2nd April, 1903.]

No. 67. (No. 9.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 26th February, 1903. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to 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.