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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1884 Session II, A-02

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Sess. 11.—1884. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

No. 1. (Circular —1.) Sir,— Downing Street, 29th October, 1883. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, enclosing a copy of " The Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883," and to recommend, for the favourable consideration of your Government, the suggestion of the Board that Colonies which have Patent Laws of their own should make arrangements under section 104 of the Act for the mutual protection of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks. The Officer Administering the Government of I have, &c. New Zealand. DERBY.

Enclosure. The Board of Trade to the Colonial Office. (E. 10683.) Sir, — Board of Trade (Eailway Department), London, S.W., 22nd October, 1883. I am directed by the Board of Trade to call your attention to the provisions of section 101 of " The Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883," a copy of which is enclosed herewith, and to request that you will move Earl Derby to cause communications to be addressed to those Colonies which have Patent Laws of their own, and to suggest that they should be invited to make arrangements under that section for the mutual protection of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks. I have, &c. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Thomas Gray.

No. 2. (New Zealand, No. 6.) Sib, — Downing Street, Sth Eebruary, 1884. I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you a copy of a letter which has been received in this Department from Mrs. John Brown, relative to property alleged to have been left by her late uncle, Peter Eerguson. I am to request that you will cause inquiries to be made on the subject, and report the result. I have, &c. ROBERT G. W. HERBERT. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosures. .^Mrs. Brown to the Colonial Office. Honoured Sir, — 21, Woodville Terrace, Lochind Eoad, Leith, January 29, 1884. Excuse me for having the presumption to address you in this manner, but as I believe I am being deprived of my rights, and cannot find any way to investigate the matter, it lias prompted me to apply to you for your advice and assistance. I have an uncle and aunt that have been out in

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New Zealand for about thirty years, and they have accumulated a great amount of money and property, and they wished me to come out to them, as they had left everything in their will to me and my boy, as you will see by a copy of one of their letters I have sent you. I would have gone out to them immediately, and I wrote them to that effect, but I never received any answer from them. My husband then took typhus fever, so that prevented me from writing again for a time. Again I wrote to the minister of the Presbyterian Church, and again I got no answer. The church is close to my uncle's residence at Auckland, and it was the church that they attended ; and I wrote to their agents, but I received no answer from them. You will see my uncle has sent the agents' address and the trustees' address, likewise explains the banks that his money is lodged into. Ever since my husband's death, I have had to take a situation to support myself and my son. lamat a loss to know what to do. I have been advised to ask you for your assistance. Trusting that you will help me, I remain, &c, Mrs. John Brown, At Mr. John Johnstone's, 21, Woodvill Terrace, To the Hon. Evelyn Ashley. Lochend Eoad, Leith, Scotland.

Dbae Maey Ann,— Tamaki West, Auckland, May 20th, 1880. We received your letter you sent. You would like to come out here ; and we.would like to have you and your boy here, for we are both getting very old and frail; and we would like to have you both here; and you would have a comfortable home; and what we have you would have at our deaths ; but we would have your company, and your love, and that would be a blessing to us both ; and I willed it all to you; and the will lies with Jackson and Eussell, and is lying under his care for you; and Jackson is one of the trustees, and Mr. Miller is the other, Queen Street, ironmonger. There is money in the Bank of New Zealand and the Post Office Bank also; but we would like to have a letter from you, for we are wearying to hear from you. So no more at present from your loving uncle and aunt, Peteb and Maby Fekguson.

No. 3. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, Ist March, 1884. Applications are from time to time made to this Department for information with regard to the state of the law in the Colonies in respect of the authentication of signatures to documents (powers of attorney, for instance) executed in England or elsewhere out of the Colonies, with the view of making such documents receivable in the Law Courts of the Colonies or by public officials and others; and I request that you will be good enough to furnish me with a brief statement of the practice or law on the subject in force in the Colony under your Government, with a reference to any laws and the sections of such laws prescribing the course to be pursued. I have, &c. The Officer Administering the Government of DERBY. New Zealand.

No. 4. (Circular.) Snt, — Downing Street, 21st March, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, copies of a Despatch, with its enclosures, which I addressed to the Governor of New South. Wales, and of his reply, with its enclosure, respecting the use of a flag known as the "Australian Colours," on board vessels and boats belonging to the Australian Colonies. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have requested me to bring this matter to the notice of the Governments of the other Australian Colonies, with a view to their taking a similar course to that adopted by the Government of New South Wales, for stopping the use of this flag; and I should be glad if you would move your Government to take the necessary steps for this purpose, should it appear that such flags are worn by vessels belonging to the Colony under your Government. I have, &c. The Officer Administering the Government of DERBY. New Zealand.

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Enclosures. The Earl of Derby to Lord Augustus Loftus. (New South Wales, No. 1?.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 20th September, 1883. I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship the enclosed copies of a correspondence between the Admiralty and this Department relating to the use of a flag known as the " Australian Colours " on board vessels and boats belonging to the Australian Colonies. I should be glad if you will obtain from your Ministers information in regard to the origin and use of this flag, which you will observe the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are of opinion should be discontinued on account of the close resemblance of the flag to the white ensign of Her Majesty's fleet. . I have, &c. Governor the Eight Hon. Lord Augustus Loftus, G.C.B. &c. Derby.

The Admiralty to the Colonial Office. (L. 112.) Sir, — Admiralty, 21st February, 1883. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will call the attention of the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the enclosed drawing of a flag stated to be commonly worn by boats and small vessels on the Australian Station, and which is called the " Australian Colours ;•" and I am to request you will cause their Lordships to be informed whether any authority has been given for the wearing of this flag by Australian vessels, as none can be traced at the Admiralty. 2. My Lords would further observe that this flag at a distance would closely resemble the white ensign worn by British men-of-war. 3. It is requested that the enclosure may be returned. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. G. Tryon.

The Colonial Office to the Admiralty. Sir,— Downing Street, 13th March, 1883. In reply to your letter of the 21st ultimo respecting a certain flag which is stated to be commonly carried by boats and small vessels on the Australian Station, and which is called the " Australian Colours," I am directed by the Earl of Derby to request that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will be so good as to ascertain from Admiral Wilson whether this flag is universally used in Australian waters, or only in the waters or by the vessels of any particular colony. I am, &c. The Secretary to the Admiralty. J. Bramston.

The Admiralty to the Colonial Office. (L. 920.) Sir,— Admiralty, 11th April, 1883. With reference to your letter of the 13th ultimo, and to previous correspondence relative to the use of a flag known as the " Australian Colours," and alleged to be worn on board the vessels and boats belonging to the Australian Colonies, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Earl of Derby, that Admiral Wilson, who lately commanded on that station, having been referred to, has been unable to furnish the requisite information; and my Lords have therefore called upon Commodore Erskine, the Senior Naval Officer now on the Australian Station, to report on the subject, and his answers will be communicated to Lord Derby as soon as received. I am, &c. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. G. Tryon.

The Admiralty to the Colonial Office. (L. 2134.) Sir, — Admiralty, 10th September, 1883. With reference to my letter of the 11th of April last, L. 920, and to former correspondence 4>lative to the use of a flag known as the " Australian Colours " on board the vessels and boats belonging to the Australian Colonies, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a letter from Commodore Erskine on the subject, observing that my Lords are of opinion that the use of this flag should be discontinued on account of its close resemblance to the white ensign of Her Majesty's fleet. I am, &c. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. G. W. Swainson.

Flags in Use by Merchant Vessels on the Australian Station. (No. 172.) Sir,— " Nelson," at Suva, Fiji, 30th June, 1883. With reference to Admiralty letter, L. 690, No. 61, of the 11th April last, I have the honour to report as follows : — 2. The flag called the "Australian Colours," and which exactly resembles the white ensign of Her Majesty's fleet, except .that it bears a blue cross in the place of the red St. George's cross, is constantly used by boats, steam-launches, and small vessels in Australia. 3. On the 13th. October, 1882, I observed that the barque " Woollahra," of Sydney, was flying this flag at the peak while lying alongside Circular Quay,' but before taking the steps required by Art. 87 of the Admiralty instructions, I communicated verbally with His Excellency the Governor on the subject, and the flag in question was hauled down, and the red ensign substituted,

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4. On the 2nd March, 1883, the barque "Alice Mary," of Sydney, went out of Port Jackson flying the same flag. No steps were taken, as she was too far out. 5. On the 13th May, 1883, the barque " Altcar " displayed this flag in the harbour of Port Jackson. The letter required by Admiralty instructions, Art. 87, par. 2 (copy enclosed), was handed by the officer of the guard to the captain of the vessel, and the flag was immediately hauled down under protest. And 6. Lastly, on June 10th, while at Apia, in H.M.S. " Miranda," I observed the barque " Avoca " flying the same flag, which was the more remarkable inasmuch as she was at the time at anchor between the " Miranda " and a German ship of war, from whose national colours the flag displayed by the " Avoca " was barely distinguishable. 7. These are the only instances that have come under my notice in which this flag has been worn by sea-going vessels of any size, and I have not considered it my duty to interfere with the flags displayed by the boats in harbour. 8. In my letter, No. 340, of the 23rd December, 1882, I drew the attention of their Lordships to the existence of the " Australian Colours," and requested to be informed whether there was any warrant from the Queen or from the Admiralty for its use. I have, &c. James Erskine, The Secretary of the Admiralty. Commodore.

Commodore Erskine to the Captain of the barque " Altcar." Sir,— " Nelson," at Sydney, 13th May, 1883. Having observed that you have displayed, at the peak of the ship you command, colours resembling those worn by Her Majesty's ships, I have to call your attention to the 105 th section of "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854," and to request you to inform me whether you have a warrant from Her Majesty or from the Admiralty for hoisting any other colours than the red ensign usually worn by British merchant ships. 2. In the event of your holding no warrant for hoisting those colours, I have the honour to request you to discontinue the use of them as an ensign, in order that I may not be under the necessity of taking further steps in the matter, in accordance with the instructions laid down in the aforesaid paragraph of the Merchant Shipping Act. I have, &c. The Captain (or his Eepresentative) James E. Erskine, of the Barque "Altcar." Commodore.

Lord Loftus to the Earl of Derby. (New South Wales.—No. 224.) My Lord, — Sydney, 18th December, 1883. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Despatch No. 78, of the 20th September last, forwarding copies of a correspondence relating to the use of a flag known as the " Australian Colours " on board vessels and boats belonging to the Australian Colonies, and requesting information in regard to the origin and use of this flag. 2. I have the honour to forward to your Lordship copy of a minute from the President of the Marine Board, stating that he is not aware that this flag has ever received official recognition, and that a notification herewith was issued in September last, showing that the practice of flying the flag known as the colonial ensign is illegal, and that masters and owners of vessels were liable to a heavy penalty for hoisting the said flag. 3. In conformity with the request of the Lords of the Admiralty, I beg to return herewith the drawing of the flag enclosed in the letter of the 21st February, 1883. I have, &c. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby, &c. Augustus Loftus.

Minute by the President of the Marine Board. I cannot ascertain that this flag has ever received official recognition, although it is said to have met with the approval of the Admiralty in the year 1824, during Sir Thomas Brisbane's Administration. My association with Port Jackson dates as far back as the year 1848, and I have frequently noticed vessels wearing this flag in the harbour since that time; and I have known it in more than one instance to have been hauled down and confiscated by naval officers. There still, however, appears to be a persistency to use the flag on the part of certain shipmasters and boat-owners. The enclosed notification, with the view of preventing the use of the flag, was issued from this office on the 26th September last, December 4, 1883. Francis Hixson.

Office of the Marine Board of New South Wales, (6367.) Sydney, 26th September, 1883. Attention is hereby directed to the illegal practice of flying the flag known as the colonial ensign in certain vessels. Masters and owners of these vessels are informed that under the 105 th sectioir of the Imperial Merchant Shipping Act of 1854, they become liable to a penalty not exceeding £500 for hoisting the said or any other flag likely to be mistaken for the colours worn by her Majesty's ships of war, By order. . Geo. S. Lindeman, Secretary.

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No. 5. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 22nd March, 1884. With reference to my Circular Despatch of the 17th of January, I have the honour to transmit to you, for publication in the Colony under your Government, a copy of a further letter from the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, Chairman of the Executive Council of the International Health Exhibition, stating that it is proposed to organize, in connection with the Exhibition, a library and reading-room ; and expressing the hope that it may not be impossible to obtain from the Colonial Governments, for use in the proposed library, a collection of works affecting the administration of general sanitary laws throughout the Colonies. I have, &c. The Officer Administering the Government of DERBY. New Zealand.

Enclosure. The Executive Council of the International Health Exhibition to the Earl of Derby. My Lord,— South Kensington, 13th March, 1884. I am desired by the Executive Council of the International Health Exhibition to intimate to your Lordship that it is proposed to organize, in connection with the Exhibition, a library and reading-room, and that a wish has been expressed that the occasion should be made an opportunity for bringing together a collection of international works on sanitation and kindred topics. It will be the first time that an effort will have been made to bring together in one place such a collection of materials, the catalogue alone of which will prove of immense future value. Selected publishers and authors are being invited to send their works to this department; but, in order that it may be of a thoroughly international and intercolonial character, the Executive Council are anxious that some steps should be taken with a view to enlist the sympathy and support of Colonial Governments. lam therefore desired to invoke the assistance of the Colonial Office, and to ask if your Lordship would do the Council the honour to cause application to be made to Colonial Governments to furnish lists of all official publications on vital statistics, and reports and regulations on public health issued by the Central Governments of such Colonies. The Council do not ask that communications may be entered into with the Municipalities of the Colonies, as, manifestly, even if it were possible to obtain them, the dealing with reports and regulations from local centres would be far beyond their power. They do trust, however, that, in the manner indicated, it may not be impossible to obtain from the Central Governments of the Colonies, for use in the proposed library, a collection of works affecting the administration of general sanitary laws throughout the Colonies. I may add that, in response to a request which I recently addressed to Earl Granville, application has been made from the Foreign Office to Foreign Governments for contributions to the library and reading-room. I am to add that parcels and communications in reference to this department should be addressed to the Secretary. I have, &c. Buckingham and Chandos, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby, &c. Chairman, Executive Council.

No. 6. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 26th March, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you, for presentation to such public library in the Colony under your Government as you may think most suitable, a copy of the medical works of the late Dr. Francis Sibson, Mrs. Sibson having been good enough to place at my disposal, for distribution in the Colonies, a certain number of copies of her late husband's works. I enclose for your information an extract of a letter from Sir J. Hooker, with reference to the presentation of these volumes. I have, &c. The Officer Administering the Government of DERBY. New Zealand.

Enclosure. Extract of a Letter from (Sir J. Hooker to the Colonial Office, dated Eoyal Gardens, Kew, February 25th, 1884. " I have the honour of informing you that Mrs. Sibson, of East Acton, having caused the works of her late eminent husband, Dr. Francis Sibson, M.D., London and Dublin (Honorary), F.E.S., Fellow of the College of Physicians, to be collected and reprinted in the interest of medical

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science, is desirous of presenting copies of this work to the more important of the libraries in the British Colonies. " Dr. Sibson's contributions to medical science are of great and permanent value; most of them, indeed, were road before the Eoyal Society of London, and are printed in the ' Philosophical Transactions.' They have been ably edited in their present form by Dr. W. M. Ord, a gentleman of high standing in the medical profession, and with the illustrations fill four octavo volumes."

No. 7. (New Zealand, No. 25.) Sir, — Downing Street, 9th April, 1883. With further reference to the Despatch of the Officer Administering the Government (No. 74, of the 3rd of October), I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, an extract of a letter which has been received from the War Office in respect of the proposal of the authorities of the New Zealand University, that students who had passed the first local examination for the degree of 8.A., and are candidates for admission into the army, should be placed on the same footing as graduates and students of the Imperial Universities. As regards the further point raised in the enclosure to the Administrator's Despatch above referred to, you will observe, from another Despatch of this day's date, that the arrangement under which the Colonial Universities were empowered to conduct preliminary examinations for Sandhurst, has been superseded by a system which will admit of more general application. I have, &c. Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G. CB. &c. DERBY.

Enclosure. Extract from a Letter from the War Office to the Colonial Office, dated 9th March, 1883, No £-2-^- -"*-'"• 400' " With reference to my letter of the Bth December last, and to the papers which you forwarded on the 22nd of the following month, relative to the curriculum at the New Zealand University, I have the honour to acquaint you, by direction of the Secretary of State for War, for the Earl of Derby's information, that, in the absence of any information as to the standard of attainment required in the several subjects comprising the first B.A. examination at the above University, it is impossible to decide whether the examination referred to can be accepted as equivalent to the examinations of the Home Universities, as set forth in paragraph 2 (b) of the Eegulations for Admission to the Eoyal Military College at Sandhurst."

No. 8. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 29th April, 1884. I have the honour to inform you that the question has been raised whether the periodical returns of note issues and reserves published by chartered banks in the Colonies should be verified by a Government inspection of their specie balances, as is the practice in some Colonies. Tbe Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, in a letter of which copy is enclosed for the. consideration of your Government, have expressed the opinion that the practice of such inspection, where it exists, should be discontinued. The Officer Administering the Government of I have, &c. New Zealand. DERBY.

Enclosure. The Treasury to the Colonial Office. (5932-84.) Sir, — Treasury Chambers, 19th April, 1884. I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27191 ultimo on the subject of the Straits Settlements Banks. I am to ask you to acquaint the Secretary of State that the 4th section of the Ordinance No. 10 of 1881, which you enclose, makes, in their opinion, proper provision for the periodical publication of returns of the Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank, without making the Government in any manner responsible for their correctness.

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They observe that the notice speaks of the return as duly certified, but does not say by whom it is certified. In order to prevent misapprehension, my Lords would suggest that it should be added by whom the return is certified, the object being to show that the Government only publishes, without verifying, the return furnished by the Bank. My Lords would be ready, if the Secretary of State desired it, to give copies of the charters of banks carrying on business in the colonies for the use of the Government of such Colonies. The model charter which my Lords are now granting on the expiry of existing charters exempts Governors from responsibility for verification, if such responsibility is imposed by the expiring charter. A Bill now before Parliament will, if it passes, put an end to any such responsibility in the case of the Oriental Bank. My Lords would suggest that the principle of non-inspection should be consistently put into practice, and that inspection should therefore be discontinued in the Colony of Hong Kong; but on this point the Secretary of State may like, in the first instance, to learn the views of the Government of the Colony. I return, as requested, the papers which you enclosed. I have, &c. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Leonard Courtney.

No. 9. (New Zealand, No. 17.) Sir, — Downing Street, 12th April, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter which I have received from the Directors of the Auckland South Sea Island Produce Company, Limited, relating to the alleged claim of their company to the lease of certain landed properties in Samoa. As this letter contains complaints against the Acting High Commissioner for the Western Pacific and one of the Deputy Commissioners, in regard to the claim put forward by the company, I have forwarded a copy of it to the Acting High Commissioner for his report, and I request that you will be so good as to inform Messrs. Henderson and Shera of the course taken in the matter. I have, &c. Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G. CB. &c. DERBY.

Enclosures. The Auckland South Sea Island Produce Company to the Colonial Office. My Lord, — Auckland, New Zealand, February 4th, 1884. We have now the honour of forwarding to your Lordship the enclosed correspondence with Sir G. W. Dcs Voeux, the Acting High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. We would respectfully add, in further explanation, that our claim consists of a lease to certain landed properties in Samoa, leased to us by a Samoan woman named Manaema. Our agent, on arriving in Samoa, found that these properties, lawfully and justly ours, were in possession of a certain firm called William McArthur and Co., whose only claim and title to the properties were, that they had been put in forcible possession, first, by Mr. Churchward, the British Deputy Commissioner at Samoa, and, on being afterwards forcibly dispossessed by the Samoan people, again forcibly reinstated by the Acting High Commissioner in person, who went from Fiji to Samoa in H.M.S. " Diamond" for this purpose, and who at the same time imposed a fine on the Samoan Government for presuming to dispute the title of William McArthur and Co. to take possession of any Samoan lands they might claim. The Deputy Commissioner at Samoa, moreover, refused to recognize in any way our agent in Samoa, or to afford him any assistance whatever, but, on the contrary, tried in every possible way to thwart him in making his mission a successful one. Our agent complained to the Acting High Commissioner, but his letter of complaint was unnoticed —the receipt of it not even acknowledged. The correspondence enclosed and referred to above contains all we have since done in the matter. We beg herewith also to enclose an amended and more complete account of our expenses and losses up to the present time, caused by the extraordinary action of the Acting High Commissioner in the present case; and would most respectfully request your Lordship's interference on our behalf, and to inform us how we can best proceed to make good our losses up to the present time, or any further losses in future : whether we must look to Sir G. W. Dcs Voeux personally, or to the High Commissioner, or to William McArthur and Co. We feel the more confidence in approaching your Lordship on this important matter, as we cannot but believe that the Oaxler in Council for the Western Pacific was framed in the interests of all British merchants alike, and not alone in the interest of any one merchant. We have, &c. H. W. Henderson,) -p.- , J.M.Shera, '{Directors.

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£ s. d. Expenses of Mr John Lundon, agent, including salary, expenses, and residence in Samoa ... ... ... ... 326 8 6 Loss on plantations ... ... ... ... 1,800 0 0 Expenses and payments in Auckland ... ... ... 200 0 0 £2,326 8 6 To the Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby, . -* Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies. The Auckland South Sea Island Produce Company to Sir G. W. Dcs Vceux. To His Excellency Sir G. W. Dcs Vceux, C.M.G. Her Majesty's Assistant High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. May it please your Excellency,— Auckland, 16th October, 1883. We have the honour to state that Mr. John Lundon, our agent in Samoa, writes to us under date August Bth, 1883, as follows : — "The English Consul read to me part of a letter yesterday from the Governor of Fiji, threatening me with the pains and penalties of the Order in Council, if I interfere with the Samoan Government, or with the lands of Cornwall." We would beg to say, in explanation, that our agent did not go to Samoa to interfere in any way whatever, either with the Samoan Government or with any land belonging to Mr. Cornwall. He went to take possession, on our behalf and for our benefit, of certain lands known as Faleula Magia and Lata Plantations, the property of a Samoan woman named Manaema, and leased by her to us. Our agent further states, in one and all of his reports, that Mr. Churchward, the British Consul and Deputy Commissioner there, has in every possible way tried to oppose and thwart him in his efforts to carry out the above object. We bring the statement of this fact under your Excellency's notice, as we cannot understand why we have been so unfortunate as to have failed to secure Mr. Churchwards support, which our agent solicited, and to which we believe we, as British subjects, legitimately engaged in honourable business, are justly entitled. We have, &c. (1.5.) w. SHenderson, } Man W? Directors.

Mr. Wallington to the Auckland South Sea Island Produce Company. Western Pacific High Commission. Gentlemen, — Government House, Suva, Fiji, 29th October, 1883. I am directed by the Acting High Commissioner to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th October, 1883, and I am to inform you, in reply, that the question as to the legality of the sale of the interest in lands in Samoa under an execution issuing from the High Commission Court is now under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government; but that, pending its settlement (though the unavoidable delay is a subject for regret), no disturbance of the present possession can be permitted, except under the order of a Court of justice. I have, &c. E. W. Wallington, > For Secretary to the High Commission. The Directors of the Auckland South Sea Island Produce Company.

The Auckland South Sea Island Produce Company to Sir G. W. Dcs Vosux. To His Excellency Sir G. W. Dcs Vceux, C.M.G. Her Majesty's Acting High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. May it please your Excellency,— Auckland, November 13th, 1883. We beg to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 29th ultimo, and have duly considered it. In reply, we have only to say that we have nothing to do with the question of legality of the sale of interest in lands in Samoa to any person whatever. Our lease applies to Samoan land, the property of Samoans, and the right of these Samoans so to deal with these lands has never up to the present time been contested in any Court of justice whatever. We therefore again formally solicit your aid to enable our agent to perform his duties in Samoa, which the British Deputy Commissioner there prevents his doing, and thus avoid incurring further expenses, which may form an involved matter for settlement. We also beg to acquaint your Excellency that we have laid all the details of the action the High Commissioner has taken in this matter before the Convention in Sydney, through Mr. Whitaker, the late Premier of this Colony, and one of our New Zealand representatives. We have, &c. H. W.SHender S on, } Mana Sing Directors.

The Auckland South Sea Island Produce Company to Sir G. W. Dcs Vceux. Sir G. W. Dcs Vceux, C.M.G. Her Majesty's Actifig High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. Sir, — Auckland, 17th December, 1883. We have the honour to inform your Excellency that our agent, Mr. John Lundon, returned to New Zealand from Samoa by the " Penguin," via Fiji. He found that the purpose for which he was sent was entirely frustrated by the action taken by Her Britannic Majesty's Deputy Commissioner,

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Mr. Churchward, by your direction, and that remaining longer in Samoa at present would not only be expensive but useless. While in Samoa, Mr. Lundon obtained an affidavit of the date of the conveyance to the Samoan woman, Manaema, from Mi. Frank Cornwall, and which comprises the lands leased to the company. We shall be happy to give your Excellency any information you may desire on this or any other matter connected with this unfortunate entanglement. The Circular Despatch from the Eight Hon. Sir M. G. Hicks Beach, of the 20th February, 1880, to the Colonial Governors, has decided us in sending the detailed account of our losses and expenditure for your Excellency to deal with. We hope to hear at an early date how your Excellency proposes to secure us against pecuniary loss. We have, &o. (L' s-) H. W.SHenderson, I Mana 8inS Directors.

Mr. Wallington to the Auckland South Sea Island Produce Company. Western Pacific High Commission. Sirs, — Government House, Melbourne, 11th January, 1884. I am directed by His Excellency the Acting High Commissioner, now on leave of absence, to acknowledge the receipt of your letters dated 13th November and 17th December. His Excellency has nothing to add to his previous communications with reference to the claims which you have put forward to an interest in certain lands in Samoa; and His Excellency is unable to recognize in any way your claim to be recompensed for the pecuniary loss alleged to have been sustained by you in connection with the mission of your agent, Mr. Lundon. I have, &c. E. W. Wallington, For Secretary to the High Commission. The Directors of the Auckland South Sea Island Produce Company.

No. 10. (New Zealand, No. 25.) Sir, — Downing Street, Ist May, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade enclosing printed copies of Reports of Inquiries into Casualties, held in New Zealand during the preceding twelve months, all of which have been confirmed by you. You will observe, as pointed out by the Board of Trade, that by section 7 of the Merchant Shipping (Colonial Inquiries) Act of 1882, such confirmation by the Governor of a Colony is now unnecessary. I have, &c. Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G. CB. &c. DERBY.

Enclosures. The Board of Trade to the Colonial Office. (M. 8138.) Board of Trade, Marine Department, Whitehall Gardens, S.W., Sir, — Wreck Inquiries. 23rd April, 1884. With reference to their letters of 20th December, 1882, 24th December, 1883, and 11th January, 1884, I am directed by the Board of Trade to request you to call the attention of Lord Derby to the enclosed printed copies of Eeports of Inquiries into Casualties, held in New Zealand during the last twelve months, as named in the margin, all of which have been confirmed by the Governor of that Colony, and to suggest that the attention of the colonial authorities should once more be drawn to the provisions of section 7 of the Merchant Shipping (Colonial Inquiries) Act of 1882, which declare that such confimation is and has been unnecessary since the passing of " The Merchant Shipping Act Amendment Act, 1862." I have, &c. '• The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Thomas Gray.

" Hawea," "Alma," "India," " Charles Edward," " Triumph."

(No. 1909.)—" Hawea," s.s. Finding of a Court of Inquiry, held at Dunedin, New Zealand, into the Stranding of the s.s. "Hawea," of Dunedin. I. That the official number of said ship, called the " Hawea," is 71,710, of which Francis Holmes is master, who holds a certificate of competency, and which ship belonged to the Union Steam Shipping Company of New Zealand (Limited), of Dunedin. 11. That the stranding of the "Hawea," herein more particularly mentioned, happened on the 9th day of May, 1883, at about 2 o'clock in the morning, on the sandspit, at the entrance to the Waitara Eiver, in the Provincial District of Taranaki, West Coast of New Zealand. 111. That the stranding of the " Hawea " appears by the evidence to have been caused by the said vessel having been steered in a wrong course when on a voyage from Manukau to New Plymouth. IV. That the nature of the loss or damage done was the straining of the vessel, that necessarily followed from the grounding and being left by the tide. That the vessel is insured for £18,000 in various offices. 2—A. 2.

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That the " Hawea "is schooner-rigged ; her port of registry, Dunedin; her registered tonnage, 461-50 tons. That no lives were lost through the stranding of the said vessel. That Francis Holmes, the master of the "Hawea," was guilty of great carelessness, — Ist. In giving a course south a quarter east by both the standard and steering compasses without having previously compared the two compasses, in which case he would have ascertained that the steering compass indicated about a quarter of a point more to the south than the standard compass, and would take the vessel so much nearer the shore by steering south quarter east. 2nd. That, on observing the land on the starboard bow, he did not examine and lay off the position of the vessel on the chart. 3rd. That, when he saw a red light, he did not examine the log to ascertain the distance the vessel had run, or the engine-room revolutions for the same purpose, but altered the course more inshore without having first ascertained the position of the vessel, through which means the vessel's course was directed towards the Waitara Eiver. 4th. That he showed gross neglect and inattention to his duty in being absent from the deck after the course was altered inshore to south-east by south, and especially after being twice warned by the second officer that the vessel was close inshore. That the chief officer, George Dan Alexander, is guilty of carelessness in that after ascertaining, as he said that he did at 9 o'clock p.m. of the Bth May, that the compass the ship was being steered by differed by about a quarter point from the standard compass, and therefore was taking the ship further inshore than the proper course, he did not immediately make the same known to the master, whose order-book gave the same course by both compasses; and, further, he did not report to the second mate the difference he had observed in the compasses. That the second officer, Lewis Cameron Noble, although evidently anxious that the vessel should be steered a safe course, showed a want of promptitude in that he did not stop the vessel's engines and port the helm when he found the vessel was in dangerous proximity to the land. And I, subject to confirmation by His Excellency the Governor, suspend the master's certificate of competency of Francis Holmes for four calendar months, the term being made less than it otherwise would have been in consequence of his previous good character as a careful navigator. The chief officer, George Dan Alexander, is deserving of a severe reprimand for his carelessness. As regards the second officer, Lewis Cameron Noble, I am of opinion that if he had had access to charts and sailing directions, it is probable the vessel would have been kept out of danger —a matter which it is highly advisable should in future be attended to by the owners of the vessel. Given under my hand this 19th day of June, 1883, at Dunedin, New Zealand. E. H. Carew, E.M. We concur in the above report. E. A. E. Scott,). Wm. Thomson, J AssessorsConfirmed. Wm. F. D. Jervois, Governor.

No. 1983.—"A1ma." Eeport of an Inquiry, held at Auckland, New Zealand, into the Stranding of the Barquentinei "Alma," on Elizabeth Eeef. I. That the official number of said ship, called the " Alma," is 31727, of which John Paterson was master, who holds a certificate of competency No. 275, and which ship belonged to Harry Guthrie and two others, of Dunedin. 11. That the loss or damage herein more particularly mentioned happened on the 3rd day of August, 1883, at about 12.30 o'clock a.m., on the Elizabeth Eeef. 111. That the loss appears by the evidence to have been caused by striking on the Elizabeth Eeef. IV. That the nature of the loss done was total wreck; that the vessel was insured. That the "Alma" is barquentine-rigged; her port of registry, Dunedin; her registered tonnage, 162^. That no lives were lost through the casualty. That the vessel was lost by the default of the master, on the following grounds : — 1. That he left Dunedin and Wanganui in an iron ship, to which he was a stranger, without having first obtained the deviation of the compasses. 2. That he failed to keep a record of the compass corrections when found by observations in some form that might be accessible to the mate or himself at any time of the day or night. It appears that the only record kept was by entry in the log. 3. That he did not provide himself with a book of sailing directions for the voyage on which he was bound. lam not satisfied he made all reasonable efforts to obtain such book. 4. That, although close to the reef on the 2nd August, he did not at any time and during that day inform the mate of its proximity. 5. That he gave no special instructions to keep a look-out for danger, either to the mate or the man on the look-out. 6. That the deck was leftin charge only of an A.B. on the morning of the 3rd August, when it was dark, squally, and raining, the master and the mate being both below for about fifteen minutes. I am in doubt .whether the compass was placed in a proper position—only four or five feet from the deck of an iron vessel; but the evidence on this point is not sufficiently explicit to enable me to form a definite opinion.

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Taking all the evidence into consideration, I am of opinion that it discloses a want of judgment and forethought on the part of the master throughout the voyage, and that his certificate should be suspended for a period of three months. He will also be ordered to pay the costs of these proceedings. I am also of opinion that the mate was negligent in leaving the deck before being relieved by the master; but, as this is the only specific act of negligence disclosed by the evidence, it is unnecessary for me to do more than call attention to the fact. Given under my hand, this third day of September, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three, at Auckland, New Zealand. H. G. Seth Smith, E.M. I concur in the above report. W. Fraser, Assessor. Confirmed. Wm. F. Drummond Jervois, Governor.

(No. 2113.)—" India." Eeport of an Inquiry, held at Auckland, New Zealand, on the 12th December, 1883, into the Stranding of the Barque " India," of Auckland. 1. That the official number of said ship, called the " India," is 31922, of which Kenneth McKenzie is master, who holds a certificate of competency, and which ship belonged to Thomas Henderson, of Auckland. 2. That the loss or damage herein more particularly mentioned happened on the 17th day of November, 1883, at about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, at Martin's Bay, Hokianga. 3. That the loss or damage appears, by the evidence, to have been caused by stranding. 4. That the nature of the loss or damage done was total. That the vessel was insured. That the "India" is barque-rigged; her port of registry, Auckland, N.Z.; her registered tonnage, 202^. That no lives were lost through the casualty. That the ship was allowed to drift ashore in broad daylight, in smooth water, and in fine weather. The ship must have swung, and so fouled her anchor, although her swinging was not observed by the anchor-watch. There was slack water twice during the time she was at anchor. I consider there was gross carelessness on the part of the master in giving no orders to the watch in the first instance to call either himself or the chief officer at slack water. When the master came on deck, about one a.m. and found no watch on deck, he went below without giving any such order, although it was then nearly low water, and remained below until the next morning, and afterwards took no steps to ascertain whether the anchor was clear or not. At the time when the ship began to drive the chief officer seems to have been in charge of the deck, and that she should have driven close on shore before he noticed it, shows great want of care on his part. I have suspended the master's certificate for six months, and ordered him to pay the costs of the inquiry. Given under my hand, this twelfth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three, at Auckland, New Zealand. H. G. Seth Smith, E.M. I concur in the report. Wm. Fraser, Assessor. Confirmed. W. F. D. Jervois, Governor.

(No. 2149.) —" Charles Edward," s.s. Eeport of an Inquiry, held at Nelson, New Zealand, into the Stranding of the Schooner " Charles Edward," of Nelson. 1. That the official number of said steamship, called the " Charles Edward," is 47850, of which William Ealph Scott is master, who holds a New Zealand certificate of service, No. 2457, and which ship belonged to the Anchor Line of steam-packets, John 11. Cock and Co., agents, of the City of Nelson, in the Colony of New Zealand. 2. That the loss or damage herein more particularly mentioned happened on the 28th day of December, 1883, at about 2.15 o'clock in the morning, on the reef at the east end of the island of Motu Ngaru, off Alligator Point. 3. That the loss or damage appears by the evidence to have been caused by stranding upon the before-mentioned reef. 4. That the nature of the loss or damage done was so breaking the fore-foot as to leave an aperture into the fore-hold of the vessel, the damage extending about four feet. That the vessel is not insured. That the " Charles Edward "is schooner rigged ; her port of registry is Nelson; her registered tonnage, 154. That no lives were lost through the casualty. That there is not sufficiem. evidence to satisfy me as to the immediate cause of the accident. The course steered by direction of the chief officer appears to have been the correct one in all ordinary weather, but further precaution should have been taken to guard against leeway, arising from the low rate of speed at which the vessel was steaming.

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That the master, Captain Scott, was so far suffering from the effects of liquor taken previously to the vessel leaving port, as to be unfit for the duties of his command; and that had his condition been as it should have been, the accident would most probably have been avoided. I therefore, subject to confirmation by the Governor, suspend the certificate of the said William Ealph Scott for three months, and adjudge him to pay the costs of this inquiry. Given under my hand this twenty-ninth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three, at Nelson, New Zealand. Oswald Curtis, E.M. I concur in the above report. William J. Gibbons, Assessor. Confirmed. Wm. F. D. Jervois, Governor.

(No. 2152.)— "Triumph," s.s. Eeport of an Inquiry, held at Auckland, on the 7th January, 1884, into the Stranding of the s.s. "Triumph," of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. I find and report as follows, that is to say, — 1. That the official number of said ship, called the "Triumph," is 80570, of which James Brotherton is master, who holds a certificate of competency, and which ship belonged to John Mclntyre, Mclntyre Brothers, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 2. That the loss or damage herein more particularly mentioned, happened on the 29th day of November, 1883, at about ten o'clock in the evening, on the Tiri Tiri Islands. 3. That the loss or damage appears, by the evidence, to have been caused by the vessel stranding on the rocks on the shore of Tiri Tiri. 4. That the nature of the loss or damage done was an injury to the hull, which the master considered sufficient to justify him in selling the vessel, after some unsuccessful attempts to float her. (No evidence of amount of insurance.) That the "Triumph" is schooner-rigged; her port of registry, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; her registered tonnage, 1,797. That no lives were lost through the casualty. And I, the said Eesident Magistrate, further state my opinion on the matter aforesaid, to be as follows :— That the charge made against the master, of inebriety on the day of the casualty, is not supported by the evidence. lam of opinion, from the evidence, that he was perfectly sober all the day and up to the time of the stranding of the ship. The evidence discloses a full explanation of the way in which the casualty was brought about. The order given by the master to the quartermaster to steer with the light on Tiri Tiri broad on the port bow, coupled with the fact that the quartermaster did steer in that way for twenty minutes, and that the master was asleep during the whole of that time, fully explains how the ship came into the position in which she was at the moment of striking. It is obvious that a ship steered as the "Triumph " was, i.e., with the light kept in the fore-rigging, would not follow a straight course, but would curve round towards the light. A sketch chart, prepared by Captain Lewis, one of the Nautical Assessors, is attached to this report, and shows the course the ship must have taken from the time the pilot left her to the moment of the casualty, her head being then north-west. The happening of the casualty being explained in this way, I am of opinion that the master, the chief officer, the quartermaster, and the look-out are all, in different degrees, to blame in the matter. I cannot accept the statement made by the man on the look-out, O'Halloran, that he hailed the bridge when the ship was a mile from the point of danger, which, at the rate she was travelling, would have allowed her five and a half minutes to elapse before she reached the spot where she struck. I believe the fact was, as the quartermaster stated, that no alarm was given by the lookout nor by any one else until the last moment, when both the quartermaster and the look-out simultaneously perceived the danger. I am of opinion that the look-out was dozing, or otherwise neglecting his duty, and that it was not until the ship was actually on the point of striking that he gave the alarm. The principal responsibility rests upon the master, who states —and I am of opinion that the statement is true—that he fell asleep on the bridge. That this was caused by overwork on the day of the vessel's departure from Auckland, and by exhaustion from want of sleep and pain caused by neuralgia, appears to be the fact; but being in that state I consider he should not have trusted to his own powers of watchfulness, but should have kept some one with him on the bridge. lam of opinion that the order to steer by the light was an improper order to give. A course by compass should have been given. A man should have been stationed between the forecastle head and the bridge to repeat warnings or orders, more especially as the wind S.S.E. was blowing nearly from aft forward. I think also that the master departed from the general rule in not having himself ascertained who was on the look-out, so as to know what degree of confidence he could place in him. I am of opinion that the whole circumstances of the case disclose a want of care and forethought on the part of the master amounting to gross carelessness. I have suspended his certificate for three years. With regard to the chief officer, Owen, his evidence was in many respects unsatisfactory, and in one particular, in my opinion, untruthful. Notwithstanding his denial, I believe he did give the order to square the yards, and that he did say he would go forward and whistle when the yards were square. Apart from this, however, lam of opinion that he neglected his duty in not keeping

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a look-out while on deck. It was an important, if not the most important, part of his general supervision of the work on deck to have assisted the master in this respect. I have suspended his certificate for six months. The second officer .was, in my opinion, entirely free from blame, and his certificate has accordingly been returned to him. I consider the conduct of the quartermaster, in steering by the light for so long a period as twenty minutes without calling the attention of the master, showed a neglect of duty amounting to little short of wilful misconduct, and deserving of the gravest censure. O'Halloran, the look-out, was also, in my opinion, guilty of a serious neglect of duty. I have ordered the costs of the inquiry to be paid—three-fourths by the master, and one-fourth by the chief officer. The Nautical Assessors think it would be desirable, in order to avoid similar casualties in the future, that the limits of pilotage for the Auckland Harbour should be extended to some point clear of the Shearer Eock. Given under my hand this 7th day of January, 1884, at Auckland, New Zealand. H. G. Seth Smith, E.M. I concur in the above report. Wm. Fraser, Assessor. I concur in the above report, excepting only that, as the testimony to the captain's perfect sobriety and previous deprivation of sleep through neuralgia is conclusive, I am of opinion that two years' suspension of certificate would have been sufficient punishment. Alfred Lewis, Assessor, Master of the barque " Antares," of Shoreham. Confirmed. Wm. F. D. Jervois, Governor.

No. 11. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 6th May, 1884. With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the Postal Union, I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, the enclosed copy of a letter from the General Post Office, reporting that the next Postal Union Congress is to be held at Lisbon on the Ist of October next. You will observe that the Portuguese Government have invited your Government, amongst others, to send delegates to the Congress. The Officer Administering the Government of I have, &c. New Zealand. DERBY.

Enclosure. The General Post Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — General Post Office, London, 22nd April, 1884. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acquaint you, for the information of the Earl of Derby, that, in conformity with the provision of the International Postal Convention of the Ist of June, 1878, the next Postal Congress is to be held at Lisbon on the Ist of October next, and that the Portuguese Government, through their Minister in London, have invited Her Majesty's Government to send delegates to represent this country at the Congress. The invitation is extended to the Government of Canada, which ranks as a separate State belonging to the Union, and also to the Governments of the Australasian Colonies, the Fiji Islands, Ascension, the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, St. Helena, and the Transvaal, none of which at present belong to the Union, but whose interests are concerned, inasmuch as the question of the entry of most of them into the Union has been long under consideration. At Earl Granville's desire, the Postmaster-General requests that you will be so good as to move the Secretary of State for the Colonies to take the necessary steps for communicating the invitations to several Colonial Governments concerned. I am to add that, in Mr. Fawcett's opinion, it is highly desirable that the Australasian and South African Colonies should be represented at the Congress, inasmuch as, although the representatives could not of course vote upon any of the questions discussed, they would, if present at the discussions, be able to afford the Congress the most satisfactory information as to the conditions upon which those important Colonies would be prepared to adhere to the Postal Union. I am to mention that thg deliberations of the Congress will be conducted wholly in the French language. I have, &c. Sir E. G. W. Herbert, K.C.B. Colonial Office. S. A. Blackwood.

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No. 12. (New Zealand, No. 31.) Sir,— Downing Street, 22nd May, 1884. I am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to you, for your information and guidance, the documents specified in the annexed Schedule. I have, &c. ROBERT G. W. HERBERT, The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand, Bate. Description of Document. 21st May. Copy of letter from the Eegistrar of London University, forwarding packets of questions for the ensuing Matriculation Examination.

Enclosure. The Eegistrar, University of London, to Sir E. G. W. Herbert. Sir, — University of London, Burlington Gardens, W., May 21, 1884. In compliance with applications received from the Eector of the Eoyal College, Mauritius, from the Governor of Ceylon, and the Governor of Tasmania, I have the honour to forward to you herewith three sealed packets containing a supply of questions for the ensuing Matriculation Examination of this University, which is to be held at Port Louis, at Colombo, and at Hobarton, under the supervision of Sub-Examiners appointed by the respective Governors of those islands. Also, in conformity with the practice of previous years, I forward a sealed packet of questions for the same examination to be held at St. John's, Newfoundland ; seven similar packets for examinations to be held .simultaneously at Quebec, Montreal, Kingston, Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, and Fredericton ; and four similar packets for examinations to be held in New Zealand at one or more centres to be named by the Governor of the Colony. ■ It,is an indispensable condition of holding these examinations that the Sub-Examiners to superintend them should also be appointed by the Governors. The results of the examinations in Canada and New Zealand will be communicated to the Gilchrist Trustees, with a view to the award to the most successful candidate, in each case, of the Gilchrist Scholarship allotted to each of those two Colonies ; but it should be made clear to the colonial authorities that, on the one hand, the University takes no further part in such award; and that, on the other hand, the Gilchrist Trustees have no control whatever over the examinations. I may remark that it has been intimated to me, by the Secretary to the Gilchrist Trust, that the New Zealand scholarship is to be hereafter attached to the January Matriculation Examination ; and that the next scholarship will be open for competition in. January, 1887. With each packet I enclose —(1.) Conditions on which colonial examinations are held; (2.) Three copies of the regulations relating to the Matriculation Examination ; (3.) A copy of the instructions to the Sub-Examiner in charge of the examination ; (4.) A sheet from the register of the University, on which the Sub-Examiner will cause each candidate to make the entries prescribed in the instructions, and which must be returned to me, with the answers of the candidates ; (5.) A supply of admission cards; (6.) A pattern answer-book, to which it is desired that the books used at the examination may be made to conform as nearly as may be found practicable; and (7.) (In the Canadian and New Zealand packets only) A copy of the conditions of the Gilchrist Scholarships. It is requested that these packets of questions may be despatched without fail as follows : —The packet for Mauritius, by the mail of June 2nd ; that for Colombo, by the mail of May 30th; that for Tasmania, by the mail of May 23rd ; that for Newfoundland, by the mail of June 3rd; those for Canada, by the mail of May 22nd or 29th ; and those for New Zealand, by the mail of the 22nd instant. The Matriculation Examination will commence in this country on the 16th of June ; and it is requested that the examinations in Newfoundland and Canada may commence on the same day. But, as the packets for the other centres will not have reached their destination by that date, it is requested that the earliest possible day after their arrival may be appointed for the commencement of the examination. In New Zealand, moreover, if the examination is held at more than one centre, care should be taken that it commences at all the centres at the same time. In consequence of oversights on the part of Sub-Examiners that have recently occurred, I have to request that the attention of those gentlemen may be directed to the " instruction " requiring them to exact from every candidate, before admission to the examination, the fee specified in the regulations. As these examinations are h«ld solely for the benefit of the several Colonies, it is expected that the small charges for the requisite stationery will be borne by the colonial funds. I am to request .you to be good enough to cause it to be made known at each centre that all the candidates who pass the examination thereby become members of this University, and that, having once passed, they cannot again present themselves for matriculation,

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I have finally to request that if at any centre no candidate should appear, the fact may be duly notified to me. In the absence of such notification, we sometimes remain in doubt for many weeks, and, where a scholarship is assigned to a group of centres, are unable to report upon such of the answers as actually arrive until lapse of time renders it improbable that any other answers are to be expected. I have, &c. Arthur Milman, Sir E. G. W. Herbert, &o. Eegistrar.

No. 13. (New Zealand, No. 36.) Sir, — Downing Street, 11th June, 1884. I received and laid before the Queen your Despatch No. 26, of the 28th April last, enclosing a letter from the Consul of the United States, and an address to Her Majesty signed by the Consul for Denmark, expressing sympathy with Her Majesty on the occasion of the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany, on behalf of the citizens of the United States and of the Danish settlers in New Zealand respectively. I am commanded by the Queen to state that Her Majesty has received very gratefully these expressions of sympathy, and also an address of condolence which has been forwarded to Her Majesty by the Valley True Blue Lodge, No. 11, Protestant Alliance Eriendly Society of Australia, signed on behalf of the said Lodge at North-East Valley, near Dunedin, on the 15th day of April; and to request that you will communicate Her Majesty's thanks to those who sent the address. I have, &c. Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G. CB. &c. DERBY.

No. 14. (New Zealand, No. 37.) Sir, — Downing Street, 13th June, 1884. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 15, of the Ist March last, with its enclosures, respecting the proceedings of the master of an Auckland schooner, the " Kate McGregor." I shall await with interest the receipt of further information relating to the proceedings in question. I have, &c. Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G. CB. &c. DERBY.

No. 15. (New Zealand, No. 38.) Sir, — Downing Street, 19th June, 1884. I am commanded by the Queen to state that Her Majesty has received a resolution from the brethren of the Masonic Order in the District of Canterbury, expressing sympathy with Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany on the occasion of the death of the Duke of Albany. You will be good enough to inform the Secretary to the District Grand Lodge at Canterbury that the Queen and the Duchess of Albany are very grateful for this expression of sympathy. I have, &c. Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G. CB. &c. DERBY.

No. 16. (Circular —2.) Sir, — Downing Street, 20th June, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of a Circular Despatch which I have addressed to the Governors of Crown Colonies, with reference to the form of clause to be inserted in legislative enactments, which it is desired to reserve for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon. I have, &c. The Officer Administering the Government of DERBY. New Zealand.

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Enclosure. (Circular —1.) Sir,— Downing Street, 20th June, 1884. My attention has been drawn to the want of uniformity which prevails in the wording of the clauses inserted in the laws of different Colonies for the purpose of suspending their operation until the signification in the Colony of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon. It appears to me to be desirable that the same form of clause should be used for this purpose in all Colonies, and I have therefore to request that the following form may in future be adopted in the Colony under your Government:— "This (Law, Act, Ordinance) shall not come into operation unless and until the Officer Administering the Government notifies, by Proclamation, that it is Her Majesty's pleasure not to disallow the same, and thereafter it shall come into operation upon such day as the Officer Administering the Government shall notify by the same or any other Proclamation." I have, &c. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. Derby.

No. 17. (New Zealand —General.) Sir, — Downing Street, 10th July, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you herewith the translation of a note addressed to the Eoreign Office by the Italian Ambassador at this Court, enclosing copy of a pamphlet by Signor Salino relative to the measurement of altitude by means of the barometer, together with a copy of a circular by the same author; and I have to request you to be good enough to cause these papers to be forwarded to the Meteorological Observer under your Government. I have, &c. Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G. CB. &c. DERBY.

Enclosure. Count Nigra to Earl Granville. (Translation.) My Lord, — London, June 10, 1884. I have the honour to forward herewith, enclosed to your Lordship, twenty copies of a pamphlet by Signor F. Salino, respecting the measurement of altitudes, by means of the barometer, and an equal number of copies of a circular, directed by the same Signor Salino to the Directors of Astronomical Observatories. In pursuance of the instructions received from the Eoyal Italian Government, I have the honour to address myself to your Lordship's habitual courtesy, with the request that you would be so good as to cause each of these works above mentioned to be sent to the principal Meteorological Observatories of the United Kingdom, of the Colonies and British Possessions, with the suggestion that such institutions should forward to Signor Salino the information, advice, and instructions which he solicits in the close of his circular. I would advertise your Lordship that the pamphlets and the circulars have already been forwarded directly to the Observatories of Bombay, Calcutta, Capetown, Melbourne, and Sydney. Thanking your Lordship by anticipation, I beg, &c. The Earl Granville, K.G., &c. Nigra.

Authority: Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington,—lBB4.