A.—l

2

No. 1. No. 15. My Lord, t Government House, Wellington, 20th March 1808. At the request of my Ministers, I have the honour to draw your Lordship's attention to the large number of persons who come to New Zealand suffering from consumption and who, under " The Immigration Eestriction Act, 1899 " (a copy of which is enclosed) are not permitted to land. 2. My Government do not wish to deny the benefits of this climate to Britishers who are in the curable stages of consumption, but at the same time they consider that it is unfair to expect this Dominion to receive indigent cases, whether curable or not. 3. Almost every ship arriving from Great Britain—about forty annually—brings one or more passengers whose health is the subject of enquiry by the Health Department. It not infrequently happens that a man spends all he has in order to come out here in search of health and is then prohibited from landing. 4. The agents in New Zealand of the various Shipping Companies are well aware of the embargo which is placed upon such passengers, but, although they have advised their principals at Home, the practice still continues. 5. My Ministers desire to suggest that, if greater care could be exercised at the medical inspection which is made at the port of departure, much disappointment and waste of money might be prevented. I have etc., The Right Honble the Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET, E.G., P.C., G.C.5.1., G.C.1.E., &c, &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 2. No. 16. My Lord, Government House, Wellington, 20th March 1908. In continuation of my despatch, No. 30 of the 23rd April 1907, and with reference to Colonial Office despatch of the Bth December 1898, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that the quantities of Gold and Silver entered for export for the year ended 31st December 1907 were 508,210 oz., equal to 15,807 - 46 kilogrammes, valued at £2,027,490 ; and 1,562,603 oz., equal to 48,603-51 kilogrammes, valued at £169,484 respectively. I have etc., The Right Honble the Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. Governor.

No. 3. No. 23. My Lord, Government House, Wellington, sth April 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, Miscellaneous, of the 4th December last, on of the ratification of the Convention of the Universal Postal Union at Rome on the 25th May 1906. 2. In compliance with your request I enclose herewith a document ratifying the Convention on behalf of New Zealand. I have etc., The Right Honble PLUNKET, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. Governor.

No. 4. No. 24. My Lord, Government House, Wellington, sth April 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 13, of the 30th January last, on the subject of a new form of certificate of survey concerning the registration of vessels.

A.-2, 1908. No. 24.