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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1894 Session I, A-02

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1894. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

INDEX.

No. 1. (New Zealand, General.) My Loed, Downing Street, 26th January, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Despatch No. 53, of the sth October, with reference to the proposed adoption by the Cook Islands of a Federal flag, and also with regard to the use of the Union Jack on shore in those islands. I—A. 2.

A.-l, 1893, No. 12.

No. ot leries. Date. Subject. Page. 1 2 3 i 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ia 18 14 15 Iβ 17 18 19 20 •21 22 23 24 25 20 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 84 85 Bβ 37 38 89 40 26 Jan., 1893 .. 21 Feb., 6 Mar., 8 Mar., 17 Mar., 1 April, « .. 10 April, 10 April, „ .. 10 April, , 12 April, 8 May, 13 April, „ 9 May, 31 May, „ .. 6 June, „ 10 June, „ 19 June, » 20 June, „ 24 June, . «, 4 July, » .. 17 July, , .. 17 Aug., „ .. 30 Aug., „ 16 Sept., „ 18 Sept., „ 29 Sept., 3 Oct., „ .. 7 Oct., „ .. 28 Oct., 3 Nov., 25 Nov., 30 Nov., , .. 18 Dec, 18 Dec, , .. 8 Jan., 1894 .. 18 Jan., 12 Feb., . .. 10 Mar., 20 Mar., 21 Mar., Cook Islands flag .. .. .. Appointment of foreign consular officers in colonies Press notices for Imperial Federation League Proclamation re gold and silver coins Operation of liquor-laws in colonies .. .. .. .. •• •• Extension of Imperial Coinage Act to Australian Colonies Alteration in limits of Australian naval station Visits of H.M. ships to Australasian ports Bills of health .. .. .. Modifying regulations for preventing collisions at sea Cost and maintenance of Australian auxiliary squadron Convention with Ecuador relative to trade-marks Payment of contribution to naval defence Rules of procedure in Ireland under Colonial Probates Act Regulation Western Pacific, arms and ammunition Certificates to masters and mates in Australasian Colonies Conveyance of poisons in vessels to colonies Rules of procedure in Edinburgh under Colonial Probates Act Death of late Premier, Hon. J. Ballance Loss of H.M.S. " Victoria ".. Marriage of Duke and Duchess of York New Zealand joins Trade-mark Convention with Ecuador Queensland Postal Conference, 1893.. Outline of marriage-laws in colonies.. Addresses from General Assembly, loss of H.M.S. " Victoria " .. .. Addresses from Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand, loss of H.M.S. " Victoria " Graves of soldiers and seamen at Rangiriri .. .. Reports of officers in command of military forces in colonies Conveyance of poisons in vessels to colonies Address from schoolgirls of Picton to Her Majesty International Telegraph Congress, Buda-Pesth Treaty of Commerce with Servia Royal decree, Sweden : forgery of postage-stamps Passenger certificates Acts of 1893 left to operation Limits of Australian and Pacific naval-stations Treaty, Argentine Republic Speakers of General Assembly to be " Honourable " Extradition treaty, Portugal Extradition treaty, Liberia 1 a 3 3 3 4 i 0 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 12 Iβ 16 16 16 16 17 17 17 18 18 18 19 19 19 20 21 21 21 22 22 22 23 23 23

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2. In reply, I transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, from which it will be seen that there is no objection to the flag proposed for marine use described in your Lordship's despatch, provided the centre of the Union Jack be defaced by a circular or other shaped shield bearing some device, such as a tree, or whatever may be thought appropriate; but I should be glad to be first furnished with six copies of a coloured drawing of the proposed flag. 3. From a previous letter from the Admiralty, of which I also enclose a copy, it would appear that there is no objection to the use of the Union Jack on shore in the Cook Islands. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure No. 1. Sic, — Admiralty, 7th December, 1892. With reference to your letter of the 22nd ultimo, transmitting a copy of a despatch, with its enclosure, from the Governor of New Zealand, respecting the adoption of a Federal flag for vessels belonging to the Cook Islands, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you that they have no objection to the Union Jack being inserted in the flag as proposed, provided the flag itself is " differenced " with some device to be agreed upon. I am to add that the Admiralty have no jurisdiction over flags flown ashore. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgkegok.

Enclosure No. 2. Sib, — Admiralty, 10th January, 1893. With reference to your letter of the 23rd ultimo, and to former correspondence relative to the adoption of a Federal flag for vessels belonging to the Cook Islands, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that, Cook Islands being merely under British protection, and not part of Her Majesty's dominions, to allow them to wear the Union Jack " undifferenced " would be to give them a British character, which would, in their Lordships' opinion, be undesirable. My Lords suggest that some plainly visible device, such as a tree, &c, in the centre of the Union Jack would meet the case. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgeegoe.

No. 2. (Circular.) Sib, — Downing Street, 21st February, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of correspondence which has taken place between this department and the Foreign Office in regard to the appointment of foreign consular officers in the colonies, from which you will learn that, when the person it is proposed to appoint is not resident in the colony in which he is to act, no reference will be made to the Colonial Government or to this department. If, however, the Colonial Government should, after the appointment has been made, become aware of any objection to it, it would, of course, be proper to inform me of such objection, in order that it might be communicated to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. I have, &c, EIPON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure No. 1. Sic, — Downing Street, 6th February, 1893. I am directed by the Marquis of Eipon to state that it appears to his Lordship unnecessary to consult this department on the subject of the contemplated appointment of a foreign consular officer to act in a colony in which he is not resident. In such cases, neither the Colonial Government nor the Secretary of State for the Colonies has any facilities not possessed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for ascertaining whether the proposed appointment is or is not unobjectionable, and the reference becomes a mere matter of form.

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Lord Eipon would therefore propose, if the Earl of Eosebery has no objection, that in future the contemplated appointment of a foreign consular officer should be referred to this department only when the person it is proposed to appoint is resident in the colony in which he is to act, and that in other cases this department should merely receive notice that such an appointment has been made. I have, &c, Edwabd Wingfield. The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office.

Enclosure No. 2. Sir,— Foreign Office, 11th February, 1893. I am directed by the Earl of Eosebery to state to you, for the information of the Marquis of Ripon, that his Lordship agrees to the suggestion made in your letter of the 6th instant, with respect to the preliminary inquiries which may be necessary previous to the issue of the Queen's exequatur to foreign consular officials appointed to British colonies, and I am to state to you, in reply, that the course recommended by Lord Eipon will be followed in all future correspondence on the subject. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. H. Sahdekson.

No. 3. (Circular.) Sib, — Downing Street, 6th March, 1893. As it is probable that the proposals of the Imperial Federation League will attract attention in the colonies, I shall be glad if you will be good enough to cause extracts from any Press notices or correspondence on the subject to be made, and will forward them to me at intervals, say, of three months. Such extracts cannot but be useful in assisting Her Majesty's Government, in considering the question, to know how those proposals, or others with the same object, are received in the colonies. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand.

No. 4. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, Bth March, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you, for information and publication in the colony under your government, a Proclamation of the Queen in Council, dated the 30th January, 1893, for giving currency to certain gold and silver coins, with a new design therein described. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand. [For enclosure see New Zealand Gazette, Ist June, 1893, p. 833.]

No. 5. (Circular.) Sic, — Downing Street, 17th March, 1893. With reference to my predecessor's circular despatch of the 12th March, 1890, I have the honour to inform you that Her Majesty's Government have undertaken to lay before Parliament further papers respecting the operation of the liquor-laws in certain colonies, in continuation of those already presented. I request that you will invite your Ministers to furnish me at their earliest convenience with a report on the subject with respect to the colony under your administration. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand.

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No. 6. (New Zealand, General.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 1st April, 1893. With reference to my predecessor's despatch (General) of the 7th June, 1887, respecting the proposed extension of the Coinage Act of 1870 to the Australasian Colonies, to which they all agreed with the exception of Victoria and Queensland, I have the honour to inform you that the subject has again been under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, and that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury concur with me in the opinion that, in any such application of the Act, sections 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17 should be omitted, and that the modifying power contained in section 11 (9) should be exercised to make section 7 permissive only instead of obligatory; and that their Lordships trust that this may remove the objections which weighed most strongly with Victoria and Queensland in 1886. 2. With regard to the Coinage Acts, 1889 and 1891, the Lords Commissioners are of opinion that section 2 of the latter Act is a substantive amendment of the Act of 1870, and should be so treated in any Proclamation applying the Act of 1870 to a colony. With [this exception, their Lordships agree that the Acts of 1889 and 1891 are distinct amendments, and cannot properly be applied to any colony under section 11 of the Act of 1870. 3. I shall be glad to be informed at your early convenience whether your Government concur in the proposed application of the Act of 1870, and of section 2 of the Act of 1891, to the colony under your government. I may add that the Act of 1870 was applied to Fiji in 1881, and that section 2 of the Act of 1891 will be extended to that colony. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 7. (New Zealand, No. 17.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 10th April, 1893. With reference to your Lordship's telegram of the 2nd April, 1891, and to the reply from this department of the 10th of the same month, respecting the visit of a man-of-war to Earotonga, I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, a copy of a letter from the Department of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty proposing an alteration in the limits of the Australian station. The practical convenience of the proposed change will doubtless commend itself to you, and Her Majesty's Government will be glad if your Government will obtain the concurrence of the colonies on the Continent of Australia and of Tasmania to the proposed new boundaries of the station, and their assent to this variation of the agreement of 1887. I have forwarded copies of this despatch to the Governors of the colonies concerned, in order that the question may be considered before they are addressed to your Lordship. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure. Sib,— Admiralty, 18th March, 1893. "With reference to your letter of the 15th December last, respecting the proposed extension of jurisdiction under the Pacific Orders in Council so as to include the Cook Group and several other islands which are British possessions, or under British protection, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request that you will inform the Secretary of State that in their opinion this proposal should be considered in connection with applications made by the present Governor of New Zealand and by his predecessors for one of Her Majesty's ships on the

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Australian station to visit the Cook Islands. It appears clear that the best course will be to arrange for Her Majesty's ships on the Australian station to visit these islands and deal with questions affecting them; but, in order to enable this to be done, it will be necessary to alter the limits of the station, and, as the present boundaries of the station have been inserted in Schedule I. of " Tha Imperial Defences Act, 1888," it would appear to be doubtful whether they could be altered without legislation. In view, however, of the advantages to the Australasian Colonies which would result from an extension of the present limits so as to include the Cook and other islands to which the provisions of the Pacific Order in Council are to apply, their Lordships are not disposed to object to this alteration, and they would propose that the new limits for jurisdiction under the Order in Council and for the station should be as stated in the accompanying sheet and chart, from which it will be observed that Tahiti would be common to both the Pacific and Australian stations, as the dividingline passes through that island. Panning and Christmas Islands have been left in the Pacific station, it being easier to visit them from the Sandwich Islands than from the Australian station. I am to add that, if the Government of New Zealand will obtain the concurrence of the other colonies in the proposed extension, my Lords will endeavour to procure the necessary amendment of the Imperial Defences Act, should the legal authorities hold this course to be requisite. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgregoe.

Peoposed Boundaeies of the Austealian Station. North. —From 95° east longitude, by the parallel of 10° south latitude, to 130° east longitude; then north to 2° north latitude, and along that parallel to 130° east longitude; thence north to 12° north latitude, and along that parallel to 160° west longitude; then south to the equator; thence east to the meridian of 149° 30' west longitude. East. —By the meridian of 149° 90' west longitude. South. —By the Antarctic circle. West. —By the meridian of 95° east longitude.

No. 8. (New Zealand, No. 19.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 10th April, 1893. I have the honour to acquaint you that I have been in communication with the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty as regards the wish which has been expressed on the part of several of the Australasian Colonies that the visits of Her Majesty's ships to Australasian ports should be more frequent. It has been pointed out to their Lordships that doubts had arisen whether the arrangements which were arrived at during the Colonial Conference of 1887 had been fully carried out, and that while I recognised the difficulties which cannot but occur in meeting the wishes of the contributing colonies, bearing in mind the number of vessels available and the extended area of the naval station, I felt confident that the Commander-in-Chief on the station would appreciate the importance of making such arrangements as would meet the reasonable desires of those colonies so far as they were compatible with the general requirements of the service. While admitting the amount of work that had been entailed upon Her Majesty's ships in connection with recent annexations in the Pacific, and the declaration of Her Majesty's protectorate over various islands and groups of islands, I observed that there seemed to be a growing disposition on the part of many of the Australian Colonies to consider that the visits of Her Majesty's ships were not so fairly or so frequently made as is desirable, and I expressed the hope that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty would direct the Com-mander-in-Chief, while not interfering with his proper discretion, to do all in his power, consistently with the general requirements of the naval station, to meet the natural wish of the colonies to receive regular visits from the ships of the squadron under his command. I transmit to you copies of three letters which have been received from the Admiralty in reference to my representations, together with a copy of the reply I have caused to be returned to the last of these letters.

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I request that, in communicating these letters to your Government, you will state that I trust that they will recognise the desire of Her Majesty's Government to meet their wishes in a matter the importance of which is fully recognised. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure No. 1. Sir, — Admiralty, sth January, 1893. With reference to your letter of the 19th ultimo, forwarding copy of a despatch from the Governor of South Australia, and of its enclosure, respecting the infrequency of the visits of Her Majesty's ships to the ports of this colony, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request that you will inform the Secretary of State that, before replying to Lord Kintore's communication of the 22nd October last, they propose to refer the question to Lord Charles Scott, who is shortly expected in this country. In the meanwhile, however, I am to transmit, for the information of the Marquis of Eipon, a copy of a letter from that officer, dated 31st October (No. 505), respecting the visits of Her Majesty's ships to Australian ports generally. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. D. Awdey.

Sub-enclosure. Visits of Her Majesty's Ships to Australian Ports. Sir,— " Mildura," at Sydney, 31st October, 1893. His Excellency the Governor of South Australia has sent to me privately a copy of a despatch, dated 22nd October, which he has sent to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, covering a communication from Sir John Downer, K.C.M.G., the Premier of South Australia, on the subject of the visits of Her Majesty's ships to the ports of that colony. 2. As this is a matter which will probably be referred to their Lordships after I have been relieved in this command, and when it might not be so convenient for me to furnish a report on the subject, owing to my not having any papers at hand for reference, I think it desirable to make the following remarks, so as to place their Lordships in possession of the facts of the case. 3. I enclose lists showing the visits which have been made by Her Majesty's ships to South Australian ports since the arrival of the new ships on this station. This will be found to differ from the account given by Sir John Downer, as the dates and number of ships he quotes are incorrect. He has also omitted any reference to the visits of the " Orlando " and " Cordelia." Summarised, nine different ships have visited South Australian ports for 141 days during the past twelve months, equalling the stay of one ship for between four and five months. I enclose lists also showing the visits paid during that period to ports in West Australia, Victoria, and Queensland. 4. Sir John Downer appears to make it a point that one of the new vessels should be permanently stationed in South Australian waters; but, although he took a leading part at the Colonial Conference in advocating the establishment of the squadron, he has apparently now overlooked the fact that "The Imperial Defence Act, 1888," provides for only four of these vessels being kept in commission. If, therefore, one of them is permanently stationed in South Australian waters, how are similar requests from five other contributing colonies (omitting New South Wales, where the other ships are kept in reserve) to be complied with ? 5. I think Sir John Downer has also overlooked that portion of the agreement which provides, in Article 4, first schedule, that these vessels should be employed within the limits of the station, in the same way as are Her Majesty's ships of war. It would be manifestly unfair to the crews of the other ships on this station, and also injurious to their health, if they are to be permanently employed in the hard work among the islands, while the four ships kept in commission under the agreement are always lying in Australian ports. 6. I may here remark that the Federal Council of Australasia has always taken great interest in the islands, which they look upon quite in the light of an Australian question. 7. As regards Lord Kintore's remark that a growing dissatisfaction exists in regard to this subject in the Colonies of Queensland and Victoria, I have certainly heard from the Governors that those colonies would like to see more of the ships, and I have met their representations as far as has been in my power. I believe the Queensland Government, at least, is satisfied, as in farewell letters from the Governor and Premier of that colony they have both thanked me for all I have done, and the Premier goes so far as to say that the Government " wish to express their appreciation of my constant desire to give effect to any reasonable requests relating to matters under my control." I have, &c, C. T. Scott, The Secretary to the Admiralty. Rear-Admiral, Commander-in-Chief.

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Movements of Ships of Australian Squadron in South Australia.

C.T. Scott, Bear-Admiral, Commander-in-Chief.

Movements of Ships of Australian Squadron in West Australia.

C. T. Scott, Rear-Admiral, Commander-in-Chief.

Movements of Ships of Australian Squadron in Victoria.

C. T. Scott, Rear-Admiral, Commander-in-Chief.

mements o, %ps q '.ustra, lian 'quai Won 'out, .ustra, ha. Ship. Prom To Number of Days. Remarks. 'Orlando" 'Mildura" ' Eingarooma" ... 'Wallaroo" 'Tauranga" 'Katoomba" ... ' Boomerang " ... " Karrakatta" ... ' Katoomba " ... 'Cordelia" ' Orlando " 'Tauranga" October it tt n it it December January June October 2, 1891 2, „ 2, „ 2, „ 2, „ 2, „ 2, „ 2, „ 6, „ 17, 1892 6, „ 16, „ October // it a February January June October 8, 1891 8, „ 8, „ 8, „ 8, „ 10, „ 8, „ 8, „ 19, 1892 10, „ 11, „ 26, „ 6 6 6 6 6 8 6 6 74 2 5 10 Adelaide. // In South Australian ports. Adelaide. In South Australian ports. Adelaide. it 141 Bear ■Admira! !. T. Scott, ., Commander-in-Chief. Movements of Ships of Australian Squadron r t In West Australia. Ship. Prom To Number of Days. 'Katoomba" ... 'Cordelia" ... October 14, 1891 January 26, 1892 November 16, 1891 January 28, 1892 33 2 35 C. ■-Admiral , T. Scott, , Commander-in-Chief. leai Movements of Ships of Australian Sq : ail •on in Vi xtoria. Ship. From To Number of Days. ilemarks. "Orlando" "Mildura" " Wallaroo" " Bingarooma "Tauranga" "Katoomba" ... "Boomerang" ... September 22, 1891 30, „ 22, „ 29, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ January 6, 1892 February 19, „ March 22, „ 29, „ April 1, „ 3, „ October 28, „ May 23, „ October 25, „ September 29, 1891 October 1, „ September 28, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ January 14, 1892 March 21, „ 29, „ April 1, „ 2, „ 21, „ October 31, „ June 4, „ October 31, „ 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 \ 1 7 1 7 1 8 31 7 3 1 18 3 12 6 Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Melbourne. Warrnambool. Port Fairy. Portland. Melbourne. Melbourne. (Still there.) Melbourne. (Still there.) "Karrakatta" ... "Cordelia" " Katoomba" ... it it a "Tauranga" "Orlando" a ... 153 C T. Scott, Commander-in-Chief. Bea: ■-Admiral

mements o, %ps q '.ustra, lian 'quai Won 'out, .ustra, ha. Ship. Prom To Number of Days. Remarks. 'Orlando" 'Mildura" ' Eingarooma" ... 'Wallaroo" 'Tauranga" 'Katoomba" ... ' Boomerang " ... " Karrakatta" ... ' Katoomba " ... 'Cordelia" ' Orlando " 'Tauranga" October it tt n it it December January June October 2, 1891 2, „ 2, „ 2, „ 2, „ 2, „ 2, „ 2, „ 6, „ 17, 1892 6, „ 16, „ October // it a February January June October 8, 1891 8, „ 8, „ 8, „ 8, „ 10, „ 8, „ 8, „ 19, 1892 10, „ 11, „ 26, „ 6 6 6 6 6 8 6 6 74 2 5 10 Adelaide. // In South Australian ports. Adelaide. In South Australian ports. Adelaide. it 141 Bear ■Admira! !. T. Scott, ., Commander-in-Chief. Movements of Ships of Australian Squadron r t In West Australia. Ship. Prom To Number of Days. 'Katoomba" ... 'Cordelia" ... October 14, 1891 January 26, 1892 November 16, 1891 January 28, 1892 33 2 35 C. ■-Admiral , T. Scott, , Commander-in-Chief. leai Movements of Ships of Australian Sq : ail •on in Vi xtoria. Ship. From To Number of Days. ilemarks. "Orlando" "Mildura" " Wallaroo" " Bingarooma "Tauranga" "Katoomba" ... "Boomerang" ... September 22, 1891 30, „ 22, „ 29, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ January 6, 1892 February 19, „ March 22, „ 29, „ April 1, „ 3, „ October 28, „ May 23, „ October 25, „ September 29, 1891 October 1, „ September 28, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ January 14, 1892 March 21, „ 29, „ April 1, „ 2, „ 21, „ October 31, „ June 4, „ October 31, „ 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 \ 1 7 1 7 1 8 31 7 3 1 18 3 12 6 Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Melbourne. Warrnambool. Port Fairy. Portland. Melbourne. Melbourne. (Still there.) Melbourne. (Still there.) "Karrakatta" ... "Cordelia" " Katoomba" ... it it a "Tauranga" "Orlando" a ... 153 C T. Scott, Commander-in-Chief. Bea: ■-Admiral

Ship. From To Number of Days. ilemarks. "Orlando" it • • • "Mildura" " Wallaroo" " Eingarooma " ... " Tauranga " tr "Katoomba" ... "Boomerang" ... September 22, 1891 30, „ 22, „ 29, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22, „ 30, „ 22 "„ 30; "„ 22, „ 30, „ January 6, 1892 February 19, „ March 22, „ 29, „ April 1, „ 3, „ October 28, „ May 23, „ October 25, „ September 29, 1891 October 1, „ September 28, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ September 29, „ October 1, „ January 14, 1892 March 21, „ 29, „ April 1, „ 2, „ 21, „ October 31, „ June 4, „ October 31, „ 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 J 1 7 1 7 1 8 31 7 3 1 18 3 12 6 Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Portland. Melbourne. Melbourne. Warrnambool. Port Fairy. Portland. Melbourne. Melbourne. (Still there.) Melbourne. (Still there.) it " Karrakatta " ... ir "Cordelia" " Katoomba" ... tr it it "Tauranga" "Orlando" 153

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Movements of Ships of Australian Squadron in Queensland.

C. T. Scott, Bear-Admiral, Commander-in-Chief.

Enclosure No. 2. Sib, — Admiralty, 7th February, 1893. With reference to your letters of the 19th December last and 20th January, and to my communication of the sth January, respecting the visits of Her Majesty's ships to ports of the colonies of South and West Australia, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that my Lords have now communicated with. Rear-Admiral Lord Charles Scott, the late Commander-in-Chief. The Governor and Chief Secretary of South Australia refer to the infrequency of the visits of the ships of the Australian squadron to South and West Australian ports, and to the employment of these ships on duty connected with the Pacific Islands, and it is asked that one ship should be stationed all the year in South and West Australia. In your letter of the 19th ultimo you observe that the arrangement arrived at during the Conference does not seem to have been carried out, as an intimation was given by Lord George Hamilton and Admiral Sir Arthur Hood that the new vessels should not be sent to the islands, but employed in visiting the principal ports in the different colonies, and you suggest whether the auxiliary ships should not be kept for that purpose. My Lords have already forwarded, for the consideration of the Marquis of Ripon, copy of a letter from Rear-Admiral Lord Charles Scott, dated the 31st October last, in which he observes that the duration of the visits of Her Majesty's ships had been underestimated, and no account taken of the " Orlando " and" Cordelia." He points out that, as only four of the Australasian ships are kept in commission, it would be impossible, with justice to other colonies, to station one of these ships permanently in South Australian waters ; also, that it would be unfair to the crews of other ships, and injurious to their health, to employ them permanently on the harder work amongst the islands —work, which, it is to be observed, affects the colonies—in order to keep the ships commissioned under the agreement in Australian ports. In the further communication received from Lord Charles Scott he adheres to these views, and points out that remarks made during the Conference of the nature referred to by you were considered to be embodied in the agreement. My Lords concur in the views expressed by the late Commander-in-Chief. Although remarks may have been made as to the probable employment of new ships, it was also stated that it would be necessary for the Admiral to have discretionary power as to their employment, and it was ultimately understood, as expressed in the agreement, that the Commander-in-Chief was to have full control (except as specified in the case of New Zealand) over these ships, and employ them anywhere within the station. To make any marked distinction in the employment of Her Majesty's ships on this station, reserving the more agreeable work for one part of it, would have a very bad effect on the discipline of the squadron.

Ship. From To Number of Days. Remarks. " Orlando " "Mildura" "Wallaroo" " Eingarooma" ... '■' Tauranga " "Katoomba" ... "Boomerang" ... " Karrakatta" .. " Boyalist " '•' Eingdove " August 15, 1891 /» 6, „ 7 it * j a 6, „ ,t 6, „ a 6, „ a 6, „ 7, „ September 5, „ August 14, „ September 18, „ October 18, November 15, „ May 22, 1892 August 29, „ October 13, „ May 14, August 4, „ October 4, „ 27, „ August 26, „ a 12, ,/ September 10, 1891 q if "j it a 3, „ 1, „ a 3, „ August 31, „ September 1, „ 11, . August 21, „ September 26, „ October 23, December 1, „ June 19, 1892 September 19, „ October 14, „ June 21, „ August 22, „ October 7, « 31, „ September 3, „ October 31, „ 26 28 27 26 28 28 25 25 6 7 8 5 16 28 21 1 36 18 3 4 7 80 Visiting various ports. if it it it it it it it it it • •' it it '" it 'Eap'id" it n U ' • • a 'Lizard" a it n a it a "'Orlando ,, lt Boomerang " ... it Brisbane. a 453

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My Lords trust that it may be found practicable to increase the visits of Her Majesty's ships to South and West Australia. It was the intention of the late Commander-in-Ohief to have adopted measures to effect this, so that a ship should be employed on this part of the station for most of the year; but the exigencies of Her Majesty's service prevented his carrying out his intention. My Lords will call the attention of Bear-Admiral Bowden-Smith to the points under consideration; but they do not feel justified in interfering under ordinary circumstances with the disposal of Her Majesty's ships on any station, which must be guided by the requirements of the service. As regards Lord Kintore's remarks that cruisers could not be stationed in the waters of the contributing colonies from lack of ships, I am to observe that my Lords cannot hold out any hope of an increase in the number of ships on the station. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgeegoe.

Enclosure No. 3. Sib,— Admiralty, 17th March, 1893. I have laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 7th instant, requesting that directions may be given to the Commander-in-Chief on the Australian station to do all in his power, consistently with the general requirements of the service, to meet the wish of the colonies to receive regular visits from Her Majesty's ships under his orders ; and I am to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State, that a copy of that letter has been forwarded to Bear-Admiral Bowden-Smith accordingly. With reference to their Lordships' communication of the 7th February last, pointing out the desirability of more frequent visits to South and West Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, if arrangements can be made consistently with the disposition he deems best for the general duties of the station, my Lords would observe that since the present Commander-in-Chief has been on the station he has himself visited in his flagship Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany, and Hobart, whilst other vessels of his squadron have recently paid visits to those towns, as well as to Launceston and Freemantle, and other parts of Australia and New Zealand. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgeegoe.

Enclosure No. 4. Sib,— Downing Street, 6th April, 1893. I am directed by the Marquis of Eipon to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th ultimo (M. 2158), in reply to one from this department of the 7th ultimo, in which it was requested that directions might be given to the Commander-in-Chief on the Australian station to meet the wishes of the Australian Colonies to receive more frequent visits from Her Majesty's ships under his orders, so far as might be consistent with the general requirements of the service. His Lordship desires me to request that you will convey to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the expression of his thanks for the action taken in the matter, and to state that he has no doubt that Bear-Admiral Bowden-Smith is fully alive to the important and delicate political considerations involved, and that he quite recognises the attention which the Commander-in-Chief has already paid to the wishes of the Australian Colonies in regard to this subject. I am, &c, The Secretary to the Admiralty. John Beamston.

No. 9. (Circular.) Sib,— Downing Street, 10th April, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, the accompanying instructions with regard to Bills of health, which have been inserted in the revised edition of the general instructions to Her Majesty's Consuls. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand.

Enclosure. 10. Although the importance attached to bills of health is not so great as was formerly the case, yet they are documents which it is useful for shipmasters to possess, especially in voyages to countries and colonies where a system of strict quarantine is maintained. The local sanitary authorities are the persons whose duty it is to know and report on the health of each port, and the proper local officer to furnish this document is the sanitary authority duly authorised by the Government of the State to issue bills of health. Her Majesty's Consuls, when it is required for them to do so, are authorised to issue bills of health; they should, as far as possible, follow the form in use at the time by the local sanitary authority. If they have good reason to think that this form does not state accurately the condition of public health, the Consul shall report by telegraph the circumstances to the Foreign Office as 2—A. 2.

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regards vessels proceeding to the United Kingdom, and to the Colonial Government when he indorses a local bill of health, or issues one himself, for a vessel proceeding to a British colony or dependency. Masters of vessels proceeding to a British port should be recommended to obtain either the indorsement of the local bill of health by Her Majesty's Consul, or a separate bill of health from the Consul himself. This is especially advisable in the case of vessels proceeding to a British colony or dependency. The following form of indorsement or visa is to be used: "I certify the signature on the other side hereof (or as case may be) to be that of the (Prefet or other local authority) in this city."

No. 10. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 12th April, 1893. With reference to my circular despatch of the 29th November, 1892, I have the honour to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your government, copies of two orders of the Queen in Council dated respectively the 18th August, 1892, and the 30th January, 1893, modifying the regulations for preventing collisions at sea contained in the schedule to the Order in Council of the 11th August, 1884, which was enclosed in Lord Derby's circular despatch of the sth September, 1884. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand. [For enclosure see New Zea and Gazette, 15th Juue, 1893, p. 899.]

No. 11. (New Zealand, No. 21.) My Lord,— Downing Street, Bth May, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of a letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty stating the construction which their Lordships place upon the Australasian agreement in the Imperial Defence Act of 1888, so far as it affects the date for the collection and completion under Article X. of the annual sums due by the colonies on account of their several contributions towards the cost and maintenance of the auxiliary squadron. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G,, &c.

Enclosure. Sib,— Admiralty, 24th April, 1893. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to forward herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a statement showing the actual cost during 1891-92 of the maintenance of the ships forming the Australasian squadron, from which it will be seen that the total charge under this head exceeds the sum of £91,000 specified in Article VII., section 3, of the Australasian Agreement in the Imperial Defence Act of 1888. 2. My Lords made no claim for advance for the year 1890-91; but, in order to prevent any misunderstanding hereafter, they desire me to request that you will lay the following statement before the Secretary of State, with a view to communicating the same to the various Australasian Colonies. The seven colonies have to pay between them, for a minimum period of ten years from the 27th January, 1891, when the first of the seven vessels composing the Australasian squadron was put in commission, an annuity of £35,000, interest on prime cost; £91,000, maintenance : £126,000. My Lords will claim the full sum of £1,260,000 for this decennial period. If Article X. could have been literally complied with, the first tenth of this sum would have been received in 1890-91. It would, however, have been physically impossible to have communicated the various dates of commission in January, February, and March, 1891, to the colonies, and obtained the requisite vote and payment, before the 31st March, 1891. Consequently the common-sense arrangement, and the nearest practical compliance with Article X., is to collect the first tenth in 1891-92 and the last in 1900-1. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgkegoe.

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Statement showing the Actual Cost during 1891-92 of the Maintenance of the Ships forming the Australasian Squadron.

Ships in commission, £85,048 ; ships in reserve, £39,425 : total, £124,473.

No. 12. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 13th April, 1893. With reference to my circular despatch of the 24th October, 1892, enclosing a copy of a Convention between Great Britain and Ecuador relative to trade-marks, I have now the honour to state, for the information of your Government, that the ratifications of that Convention were exchanged at Quito on the 3rd February last, and I enclose, for publication in the colony under your government, a copy of the Convention as ratified and presented to Parliament. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government BIPON. of New Zealand. [For enclosure see New Zealand Gazette, 22nd June, 1893, p. 941.]

A.-2,1893, No. 30.

No. 13. (New Zealand, No. 22.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 9th May, 1893. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have requested that steps may be taken for the payment to naval funds of the sum of £1 26,000, being the amount due by the contributing colonies for the year 1893-94 on account of the expense of maintaining the Australasian auxiliary squadron, under Article VII. of the Australasian Agreement in " The Imperial Defence Act, 1888." I shall be glad if you will invite your Ministers to take the necessary measures to give effect to this request. The Lords Commissioners at the same time state that a receivable order for .£37,414 —understood to be the share due by the Colony of Victoria for

11])S lommission. tips in ieserve. Three Cruisers. One Torpedo Gunboat. Two Cruisers. One Torpedo Gunboat. " Katoomba." " Tauranga." "Ringarooma." " Boomerang." Total. " Mildura." " Wallaroo." " Karrakatta." Total. Vages, &c. j 1 £ 31,395 52 7,549 4,827 £ 4,573 4 738 735 £ 35,968 56 8,287 5,562 £ 15,487 101 3,717 1,056 £ 2,967 "586 325 £ 18,454 101 4,303 1,381 "ictualling jiability in respect of retired pay to officers 'ensions to men laintenance of vessels— Hull... Machinery Fittings and equipment... Gun-mountings Torpedo-carriages Consumable stores Permanent Coals Medicines Naval ordnance stores ... I ( 9,894 702 406 103 96 52 2,826 36 13,182 217 369 1,598 112 1,540 237 313 4 1 18 532 54 1,552 45 178 1,046 62 11,434 939 719 107 97 70 3,358 90 14,734 262 547 2,644 174 1,582 501 88 53 23 8 1,169 26 6,451 294 284 849 258 468 512 460 5 1 2,050 1,013 548 58 24 8 1,422 30 8,047 387 284 990 325 • 253 4 1,596 93 Passages 141 67 Total ... 73,416 11,632 85,048 31,947 7,478 39,425

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the current year—has been sent to the Agent-General for that colony at his request; and that this amount will be received subject to adjustment hereafter, if found necessary. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 14. (New Zealand, General.) My Lobd,— Downing Street, 31st May, 1893. With reference to my despatch (General) of the 3rd February last, I have the honour to transmit to you copies of rules for regulating the procedure in Ireland under " The Colonial Probates Act, 1892." The rules for regulating the procedure under the Act in the Edinburgh Sheriff Court are awaiting the approval of the Court of Session, and copies will be forwarded to you as soon as they are received. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c. [For enclosure see New Zealand Gazette, 24th August, 1893, p. 1274.]

A.-2, 1893. No. 45.

No. 15. (Circular.) Sib, — Downing Street, 6th June, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, copies of a regulation passed by the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific to take the place of Eegulation No. 1 of 1884, entitled " AEegulation to prohibit the Supply of Arms, Ammunition, and Explosive Substances to Natives of the Western Pacific Islands." This regulation has been approved, and I request that your Government will take such steps as may be considered necessary for making it public. The regulation previously in force will be found among the papers printed for the use of the Federal Council, copies of which accompanied Lord Knutsford's despatch of the 9th August, 1889. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand. [For enclosure see New Zealand Gazette, 25th May, 1893, p. 791.]

No. 16. (Circular.) Sic,— Downing Street, 10th June, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, with its enclosures, drawing attention to the diversity of the regulations governing the issue of certificates to masters and mates in the Australasian Colonies, and suggesting the desirability of securing uniformity of system by the acceptance of a common definition of " coasting service," and providing that what is regarded as coasting service in one colony should be accepted as such in another, without regard to the colony on the coast of which the service has been performed; and I have to request that you will invite your Government to take the necessary steps for giving effect to the suggestion of the Board. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand.

Enclosure. The Assistant Seceetaky, Board op Teade, to the Undee-Seceetaey op State, Colonial Office. Sic,— Board of Trade (Marine Department), London, S.W., 26th May, 1893. I am directed by the Board of Trade to forward to you the accompanying copy of a letter, with enclosures, which they have received from the Marine Board of Queensland, calling the attention of this department to the serious discrepancies between the systems of granting certificates to masters and mates which are at present in force in the group of colonies in and near Australia.

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Under "The Merchant Shipping (Colonial) Act, 1869," Her Majesty is empowered by Order in Council to extend those provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts which relate to certificates of competency to any British possession, provided that the Board of Trade are able to report that they are satisfied, amongst other things, that the certificates granted in the colony are granted on such principles as to show the like qualification and competency as those granted under the Imperial Acts. A marked distinction in value is made by this Board between " foreign trade " and " coasting trade " service, and this is shown by the fact that in the regulations it is provided that service in the coasting trade, in order to qualify a candidate for examination, must amount to half as much again as service in the foreign trade. The geographical conditions of the colonies referred to differ so considerably from those of the United Kingdom that it would be impossible to fix limits for their coasting trades which would exactly correspond with those in force in this country, but it is none the less desirable that they should be fixed on similar principles. Two very serious anomalies exist under the present regulations:— 1. Except in Queensland, a voyage from two contiguous ports, if one is in one colony and the other in another, is regarded as " foreign service," while a voyage of two thousand miles between two ports in the same colony would be regarded as " coasting service." 2. What is " coasting service " to one colony is " foreign service " in another, so that a man who is only entitled to claim " coasting service," say, in Victoria, may claim all his service as " foreign service "in New South Wales, or vice versa. A man, for instance, who has had six years' service on the coast of Victoria, and would have to serve another three years to entitle him to be examined for master in that colony, can go to New South Wales and be examined at once, and produce a certificate which would be equally valid in Victoria or England as in New South Wales. The Board of Trade would therefore suggest, for the consideration of the Marquis of Eipon, that steps should be taken to promote a complete uniformity of system amongst these colonies, by an acceptance of a common definition of " coasting service," and providing that what is regarded as " coasting service " in one colony should be accepted as such in another, without regard to the colony on the coast of which the service has been performed. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Ingeam B. Walkeb.

Sub-enclosures. Sib, — Marine Board Office, Brisbane, 24th March, 1893. I have the honour, by direction, to solicit your opinion in connection with the subjectmatter of the enclosed correspondence. You will observe that the question involved is a very important one, and, in order that you may more readily understand the matter, and the reason for this Board declining to lower the standard of their own, and what they conceive to be the Board of Trade's requirements in the matter of service, I would point out that were this Board to adopt a regulation similar to that of the Victorian Marine Board, it would mean that service in a vessel trading from Brisbane (Queensland) to the Tweed Diver (New South Wales), a distance of fifty miles along the coast, would be considered "foreign service," while in a vessel trading from Brisbane to Normanton, a distance of upwards of two thousand miles, it would be only " coasting service." I have, &c, Samuel A. Pethebeidge, Secretary. The Assistant Secretary, Marine Department, Board of Trade, London.

Engineee's Qualifying Seevioe. Sic, — Marine Board of Victoria, Melbourne, 4th January, 1893. This Board has recently had its attention drawn to the matter of the qualifying service to be exacted from candidates for certificates of competency as first- and second-class engineers, and bearing on the point as to what should be considered "coasting service," which under the regulations of the Board of Trade requires eighteen months to equal twelve months' service in the foreign trade. I attach, for your information, a copy of a communication sent to the Marine Board of New South Wales on the subject, and its reply thereto, and I will be glad if you will kindly state how the regulation of the Board of Trade in respect of coasting service is interpreted in your colony in the examination of candidates and the issue of certificates of competency thereto, under the provisions of the Queen's Order in Council governing the issue of such certificates. I have, &c, The Secretary, Marine Board, Brisbane. J. G. MoKie, Secretary.

Examination op Engineees. Sic, — Marine Board of Victoria, Melbourne, 23rd November, 1893 (sic). This Board has recently had brought under its notice the subject of examination of firstand second-class engineers. It has been alleged that candidates are enabled to practically evade the obligation that when engaged in the coasting trade they shall, to be eligible for examination, submit discharges as for eighteen months of such service in lieu of twelve months required in the foreign trade, and such evasion would appear to be possible, as I will endeavour to show. The home trade under the Victorian Act is defined on page 8 of regulations (attached) as extending from Spencer's Gulf, in South Australia, to Port Stephens, in New South Wales. Under this Board's Eegulation No. 13, service performed within such limits will count in Victoria as

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coasting service, and will require eighteen months to equal twelve months in the foreign trade, whereas it is understood that twelve months of .such service {i.e., in the Victorian home trade), if presented by a candidate in New South Wales, would be accepted as being service performed in the foreign trade as denned by your Act and regulations, and vice versa, as regards the coasting service of New South Wales, if presented under like circumstances in Victoria. Eeferring to your regulation (1890) for the examination of engineers, clauses 23 and 157 thereof define coasting as being within the limits of Eockhampton on the north and Melbourne on the south. Under your regulations it is believed that you would exact eighteen months of servico therein from a candidate requiring to be examined ; yet under the regulations of this Board similar service, if on a vessel trading to or from this port, and having been performed outside of our " home-trade limits," would be counted as foreign service, and twelve months of such service would therefore suffice. Shortly put, it would appear that, in consequence of the wording of the regulations, and the definitions of what constitutes the "coasting" or "home trade" in the respective colonies, it is possible for candidates to evade the intention of the regulations in respect of the additional service required when engaged in other than the foreign trade. This Board contemplates amending its regulations, and the matter is now in hand; but before finally dealing with the same I have been directed to communicate with you to ascertain whether the anomaly has presented itself in any form in connection with any candidates at your port. Having in view also the definitions attached to the terms "jurisdiction" and "foreign-going ship" (clause 4 of the New South Wales Act No. 7), and "coasting service" and "coast-trade steamship " (Examination Eegulations 23 and 157), may I ask that you will kindly advise this Board as to what is your actual practice in the matter of service in your home or coasting trade. Is service performed in vessels trading outside the limits of your jurisdiction accepted as foreign service ? Apart from the direct questions raised, I would be glad to be favoured with your remarks on the subject generally. I have, &c, The Secretary, Marine Board, Sydney. J. Gbo. McKie.

Sic, — Marine Board of New South Wales, Sydney, 25th November, 1892. In reply to your letter of the 23rd instant, I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that this Board has always liberally interpreted the clauses mentioned by you, more especially as the candidates have to show by an examination their proficiency or otherwise ; consequently all service outside New South Wales, or between this and any other colony, is considered foreign for the purpose of allowing candidates to present themselves for examination. I have, &c, The Secretary, Marine Board, Melbourne. G. S. Lindman, Secretary.

Sic, — Marine Board Office, Brisbane, 18th January, 1893. In reply to yours of the 4th instant, re qualifying service for engineers' certificates of competency, I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that this Board have always considered service between this and neighbouring Australian Colonies as coasting service, eighteen months of which service has been required to qualify a candidate for examination both for masters', mates', and engineers' certificates. I have, &c, The Secretary, Marine Board, Melbourne. S. A. Pethebeidge, Secretary.

Coasting Service. Sic, — Marine Board of Victoria, Melbourne, 11th March, 1893. Adverting to my letter of the 4th January (M. 9328), and your reply thereto of the 18th idem, as to the interpretation placed by your Board on the term "coasting service" in its relation to "foreign service," Inowbegto forward, for your information, & precis of the replies received from the other colonies on the question then at issue, and also a copy of a report of committee adopted by the Board at its last meeting. Action will be taken with the least delay to give effect to the Board's resolutions. I have, &c, The Secretary, Marine Board, Brisbane. J. G. McKib, Secretary.

Coasting v. Foreign Service. Précis of Replies received by the Marine Board of Victoria from Adjacent Colonies.

J. G. MgKib, Secretary. Marine Board of Victoria, Melbourne, 11th March, 1893.

Colony. Interpretation. 'asmania All service outside of Tasmania, or between Tasmania and any other colony, is eonsiderod foreign for the purpose of allowing candidates to present themselves for examination. All service between this colony and any other is admittedly foreign. Coasting service is that performed within the limits of this province. Service in vessels trading on the coast at New Zealand is treated as coasting service only, and service in vessels trading between New Zealand and the Australian Colonies, in the course of which trade a certain portion of the timo is occupied in passing along the coasts of this colony, has up to the present been treated as foreign service. All servico outsido New South Wales, or between this and any other colony, is considered foreign for the purpose of allowing candidates to present themselves for examination. iouth Australia few Zealand Tew South Wales ..

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Coasting or Foreign Service. — Beport of Regulations Committee. Meeting held 7th March, 1893. Present: Captain Fullerton (in the chair), Captain Currie, Captain Gartside, Mr. McParlane. To the Marine Board of Victoria. Youn committee desires to report that it has taken into consideration the question remitted thereto by the Board on the 28th October, 1892, having reference to the want of uniformity existing between the Colonies of New South Wales and Victoria in the matter of the definition of "coasting service " in connection with the qualifications of engineers applying for certificates of competency. After due inquiry your committee finds that in all the Australian Colonies excepting Queensland service extending beyond the coasts of such colonies is accepted as foreign service, and it is therefore recommended — 1. That the regulations bearing upon the examination of masters, mates, and engineers be amended so as to provide that service performed in ships plying beyond the limits of the colony be regarded as foreign-going service for the purposes of such regulations. 2. That copies of replies received from the other colonies be forwarded to the Queensland Marine Board, with an intimation of the action proposed to be taken by this Board, with a view to uniformity of procedure in dealing with candidates. E. Fullbeton, Chairman of Committee. Melbourne, 10th March, 1893. J. G. McKib, Secretary.

g IM] Marine Board Office, Brisbane, 24th March, 1893. I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 11th instant, enclosing particulars of replies from other Boards re interpretation of the term " coasting service " in its relation to " foreign service," and also your Board's decision in connection therewith. In reply, I am directed to state that for the present this Board will continue to work under the regulation hitherto existing, and will, in the meantime, refer to the Board of Trade for their opinion. I have, &c, The Secretary, Marine Board, Melbourne. S. A. Pethebbidge, Secretary.

No. 17. (New Zealand, No. 26.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 19th June, 1893. My predecessor caused to be forwarded to the Board of Trade a copy of the Earl of Onslow's Despatch No. 50, of the 14th July, 1891, respecting the conveyance of poisons in vessels from Great Britain to the colonies, and I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship, for communication to your Government, copies of a notice which has been received from that department, issued in January, 1892, drawing attention to section 17 of " The Sale of Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1868." I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

' A.-l, 1892. No. 10.

Enclosure. Notice to Shipownees, Shipmastees, and Others. —Maeking and Packing op Poisons. The attention of the Board of Trade has been called to a case in which serious danger to human life was caused by the shipment, for transmission abroad, of a package of arsenic, without any label to show the poisonous character of its contents. This package was subsequently broken, and the contents became mixed with a quantity of articles used for human food, also forming part of the vessel's cargo. The Board desire to call the special attention of shipowners, shipmasters, and all others concerned in the shipment of poisons to the provisions of section 17 of " The Sale of Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1868," which requires that every package containing any of the following poisons:— Arsenic and its preparations, prussic acid, cyanides of potassium and all metallic cyanides, strychnine and all poisonous vegetable alkaloids and their salts, aconite and its preparations, emetic tartar, corrosive sublimate, cantharides, savin and its oil, ergot of rye and its preparations, oxalic acid, chloroform, belladonna and its preparations, essential oil of almonds unless deprived of its prussic acid, opium and all preparations of opium or of poppies—when sold for export, is to bear the name of the article and the word " poison," and any person infringing the provisions of the Act in this respect is subject to a penalty of £5 for each offence. The Board further desire to call attention to the great importance of taking the utmost precautions in the package and stowing of poisons of all kinds on board ship, so as to reduce to the minimum the risk of breakage, leakage, or contamination in any way of the adjoining cargo. This notice should be freely circulated among the shippers and exporters of poisons. GeOKGE J. SWANSTON, Board of Trade, January, 1892. Assistant Secretary, Marine Department.

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No. 18. (New Zealand, General.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 20th June, 1893. With reference to my despatch (General) of the 31st May last, I have the honour to transmit to you copies of rules made by the Sheriff of the Lothians for regulating the procedure and practice in the Sheriff Court of Edinburgh in connection with " The Colonial Probates Act, 1892." The Court of Session, before whom these rules were laid, have decided that the Sheriff is competent to issue them on his own authority. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c. [For enclosure see New Zealand Gazette, 7th September, 1893, p. 1330.]

No. 14,

No. 19. (New Zealand, No. 29.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 24th June, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 14, of the 16th ultimo, reporting the death of Mr. Ballance, and the formation of a new Ministry under Mr. Seddon. I informed you by my telegram of the 28th of April of the regret with which I had heard of Mr. Ballance's death. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1894, No. 3.

No. 20. (New Zealand, No. 32.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 4th July, 1893. I have had the honour to receive through the Agent-General for New Zealand the expression of sympathy and regret telegraphed by your Government on behalf of the people of the colony on the occasion of the loss of the ViceAdmiral, Sir George Tryon, X.C.8., and part of the crew of Her Majesty's ship " Victoria." My telegram of the 26th ultimo, in reply, sent through the Governor of South Australia, will have conveyed to you the expression of Her Majesty's thanks for the sympathy shown on the occasion; and I need not add that it has been a source of sincere gratification to Her Majesty's Government that the expressions of regret at the death of the distinguished Admiral have been so spontaneous and universal in Australasia, where he was so widely known and so much respected. Copies of the letter from the Agent-General were duly forwarded to the family of the late Sir George Tryon, as well as to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and their Lordships have requested me to convey their grateful acknowledgment of the sympathy evinced by the Australasian Colonies. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 21. (New Zealand, No. 34.) My Loed,— Downing Street, 17th July, 1893. I have received and laid before the Queen your telegram of the Bth instant, expressing congratulations to Her Majesty on behalf of the colony on the occasion of the marriage of their Eoyal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York. Her Majesty commands me to request that you will express to the people of the colony under your government her cordial thanks for their congratulations. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1894 No. 7.

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No. 22. (New Zealand, General.) My Lokd, — Downing Street, 17th August, 1893. With reference to your Lordship's Despatch No. 4, of the 7th March last, 1 have the honour to inform you that the accession of New Zealand to the Trade-marks Convention between Great Britain and Ecuador, of the 26th August, 1892, has been duly notified to the Government of Ecuador, in conformity with the stipulation in Article 11. of the Convention. I enclose translation of the decree which has been issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs at Quito. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c. [For enclosure see New Zealand Gazette, lOfch November, 1893, p. 1619.]

A.-1,1893. No. 18.

No. 23. (New Zealand, No. 42.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 30th August, 1893. I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of your Government, that my attention has been given to the debates which took place at the Postal Conference recently held at Brisbane with special reference to the proposed Pacific cable route. 2. While regarding with satisfaction on general grounds the approaching telegraphic connection of Australia with New Caledonia, Her Majesty's Government cannot but view with regret the action taken by the Governments of Queensland and New South Wales, as it implies a departure from the principles with regard to colonial cohesion and the consideration of Imperial interests to which prominence was given in the discussions of the Colonial Conference of 1887 ; and, as it appears to diminish the chance of their assistance in laying any future Pacific cable passing through British possessions or protected territory, and avoiding the possessions of European Powers, Her Majesty's Government share the views expressed by the Victorian Government, that inconvenience, loss, and, indeed, danger to both colonial and Imperial interests might arise in time of war if the Pacific cable passed through New Caledonia, and they cannot, from an Imperial point of view, regard with approval an arrangement under which such cable would touch foreign territory. 3. In connection with the question of the neutrality of cables in time of war, I observe from the account of the third sitting of the Brisbane Conference that reference was made to the possibility of negotiating an international treaty for the protection of existing cables in time of war. 4. The present position of the case is, as your Ministers are no doubt aware, defined by the International Convention relating to the protection of submarine cables, signed at Paris on the 14th of March, 1884, a copy of which is enclosed for convenience of reference; and I would draw attention to the 15th article, and to the declaration in respect of the interpretation of that article made by the late Viscount Lyons on behalf of Her Majesty's Government on the occasion of the signing of the Convention. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 24. (Circular.) Sic, — Downing Street, 16th September, 1893. I have the honour to inform you that addresses have been presented by the House of Commons to Her Majesty, on the motion of Mr. Henniker Heaton, for a " Eeturn giving an outline of the marriage-laws prevailing in the most important foreign countries and colonies, especially the ages at which marriage can be contracted, the laws of prohibition, the hours in which the 3—A. 2.

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ceremony can be performed, and the fees charged"; and also for a "Return showing the state of the law on divorce in the most important foreign countries and colonies, especially the grounds on which divorce can be obtained, and the cost " ; and I have to request that you will move your Ministers to furnish me, at their earliest convenience, with memoranda giving the information desired in these returns, so far as it relates to the colony under your government. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government RIPON. of New Zealand.

No. 25. (New Zealand, No. 44.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 18th September, 1893. I duly received the addresses to the Queen from the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives of New Zealand, which accompanied your Despatch No. 27, of the 10th of July last, with reference to the loss of Her Majesty's ship "Victoria." I have laid these addresses before the Queen, who has commanded me to request that the Council and House of Representatives may be assured of the deep gratification felt by Her Majesty at the spontaneous expression of sympathy expressed in the addresses on the serious loss to Her Majesty and to Her Majesty's naval service occasioned by this disaster. I have, &c, RIPON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1894, No. 6.

No. 26. (New Zealand, No. 46.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 29th September, 1893. I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship that an address to Her Majesty from the Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand, in connection with the loss of Her Majesty's ship "Victoria," has been received through the Grand Master of the Loyal Orange Institution of England. I request that the Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand may be informed, through Messrs. Wilson and Clayton, of Queen Street, Auckland, that their address has been laid before the Queen, who was pleased to command me to convey Her Majesty's appreciation of the sympathy expressed on the occasion of that sad calamity in the first part of their address. I have, &c, RIPON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 27. (New Zealand, No. 48.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 3rd October, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a question which has been put in the House of Commons respecting the state of the graves of British seamen and soldiers at Rangiriri. I should be obliged if yoii would obtain a report from your Government on the subject. I have, &c, RIPON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure. Question No. 18.—Sir John Gorst to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, " Whether it is true that the graves of the British seamen and soldiers who fell at Eangiriri in 1863, in the Maori war, are now in a ruinous and neglected state, and whether he will make a representation on the subject to the New Zealand Government? " 18th September, 1893.

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No. 28. (New Zealand, No. 49.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 7th October, 1893. I shall be obliged if, in the case of the issue of reports by the officers in command of the military forces in the colony under your government, you will be good enough in all cases to supply me with copies of such reports in a separate despatch as soon after they are issued as possible, with the view of avoiding any risk of delay which might ensue if they were only transmitted with other parliamentary papers at the end of the session. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 29. (New Zealand, No. 54.) My Loed,— Downing Street, 28th October, 1893. With reference to your Despatch No. 32, of the sth September last, relating to the conveyance of poisons by sea, I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, the enclosed copies of a correspondence with the Board of Trade on the subject. It will be observed that the Board of Trade request that they may be furnished with particulars of any cases of improper stowage of poison which may come under the notice of the authorities in New Zealand. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1894, No. 8.

Enclosure No. 1. Sib,— Downing Street, 18th October, 1893. With reference to your letter of the 6th June (M. 9021), and to previous correspondence relating to the conveyance of poisons by sea, I am directed by the Marquis of Eipon to transmit to you, for communication to the Board of Trade, a copy of a further despatch from the Governor of New Zealand on the subject. It is presumed that the suggestion made by the Earl of Glasgow will receive attention. I am, &c, The Assistant Secretary, Marine Department, Board of Trade. John Bbamston.

Enclosure No. 2. Sib,— Board of Trade (Marine Department), London, S.W., 21st October, 1893. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, enclosing a copy of a further despatch received from the Governor of New Zealand respecting the package and stowage of poisons for conveyance by sea, and suggesting special legislation upon the subject. In reply, I am to request that the Board may be furnished with particulars of any cases of improper stowage of poison which may come under the notice of the authorities in New Zealand. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. C. Cecil Teevoe.

No. 30. (New Zealand, No. 56.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 3rd November, 1893. I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship that an address has been received by the Queen from the schoolgirls of Picton, in the Province of Marlborough, New Zealand, respectfully assuring Her Majesty of their devoted loyalty, and containing an expression of good wishes for Christmas and the coming year. I am commanded to request that you will inform Miss Nellie Allen, the honorary secretary, that the Queen was much pleased by the expression of the loyal sentiments contained in the address. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

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No. 31. (New Zealand, General.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 25th November, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you copies of correspondence which has passed between the Foreign Office and this department respecting the suggested postponement from 1895 to 1896 of the next International Telegraph Congress, which is to be held at Buda Pesth. Her Majesty's Government will be glad to learn whether your Government agrees to the suggested postponement of the Congress. I have, &c, EIPON. The Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosures. Sib,— Foreign Office, 26th September, 1893. I am directed by the Earl of Eosebery to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of Eipon, a translation of a note from the Austro-Hungarian Charge d'Affaires at this Court, suggesting that the next Telegraph Conference, which is to be held at Buda Pesth, should be postponed from 1895 to 1896, in order to coincide with the celebration of the one thousandth anniversary of the foundation of the Hungarian monarchy. lam to inquire what answer should be returned to this communication. A similar communication has been addressed to the Post Office and the India Office. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V. Listee.

Monsibue le Comte, — Austrian Embassy, 20th September, 1893. It was decided at the International Telegraph Conference, held at Paris in 1890, to hold the next meeting of the Conference in 1895. Buda Pesth was chosen as the place of meeting, with the consent of the Eoyal Hungarian Government. It has since been decided, in accordance with Article 111. of the law of this year, to celebrate the one thousandth anniversary of the existence of Hungary in 1896, and to hold a great national exhibition at Buda Pesth in connection with the event. Under these circumstances, the Hungarian Government are very anxious that the Telegraph Conference should be postponed till the year 1896. This would give the members of the Conference an opportunity of observing the social and economical progress of Hungary. I should be glad if your Excellency would inform me whether Her Majesty's Government are willing to agree to the Telegraph Conference taking place in 1896 instead of 1895. If Her Majesty's Government have no objection to the postponement, I should be grateful if you would inform the Governments of the Cape, India, Natal, South Australia, New South Wales, New Zealand, and Tasmania of the wish of the Hungarian Government in the matter, and favour me with their replies. Thanking, &c, His Excellency the Earl of Eosebery, K.G., &c. Wydenbeuck.

Sib,— Downing Street, 29th September, 1893. I am directed by the Marquis of Eipon to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th September, enclosing a translation of a note from the Austro-Hungarian Charge d'Affaires at this Court suggesting that the next Telegraph Conference, which is to be held at Buda Pesth, should be postponed from 1895 to 1896, in order to coincide with the celebration of the one thousandth anniversary of the foundation of the Hungarian monarchy. In reply, I am to request that you will state to the Earl of Eosebery that, on being informed of the decision of Her Majesty's Government by the Foreign Office, Lord Eipon will be prepared, if that decision should be in favour of the postponement, to bring the matter under the consideration of the British Colonies that are members of the Telegraph Union, as requested. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. Edwaed Wingfield.

Sib,— Foreign Office, 20th November, 1893. With reference to your letter of the 29th of September, respecting the postponement of the next International Telegraph Congress from 1895 to 1896, I am directed by the Earl of Eosebery to state to you, for the information of the Marquis of Eipon, that Her Majesty's Postmaster-General and the submarine telegraph companies of this country agree to the postponement. I am to add that the papers on the subject have been sent to the Government of India, with an intimation that the postponement will in all probability take place. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. Geey.

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No. 32. (Circular.) Sib, Downing Street, 30th November, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your government, a copy of a treaty of commerce between Great Britain and Servia, signed at Belgrade on the 28th June (10th July), 1893, the ratifications of which were exchanged at Belgrade on the 4th (16th) October last. I have to call your attention to Article VI. of the treaty, from which you will observe that, if it is desired that the colony under your government should come within the operation of the treaty, notice to that effect must be given to the Servian Minister for Foreign Affairs within two years from 28th June (10th July), 1893, the date of the signature of the treaty. I have therefore to request that you will be good enough to acquaint me as soon as possible of the wishes of your Government in the matter. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand.

No. 33. (New Zealand, No. 63.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 18th December, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of the documents mentioned below. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government E. H. MEIADE, of New Zealand. For the Secretary of State.

6th December, 1893. —Letter, with enclosure, from the Foreign Office reporting the publication at Stockholm of a Eoyal decree prohibiting the forgery of New Zealand and South Australian postage-stamps.

Enclosures. Sir,— Foreign Office, 6th December, 1893. I am directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of Eipon, a copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister at Stockholm, stating that a decree has been published prohibiting the forgery of New Zealand and South Australian postage-stamps. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. H. Sanderson.

My Lord, Stockholm, 29th November, 1893. I have the honour to report to your Lordship that a Eoyal decree, published in this day's Official Gazette, prohibits the forgery or misuse of the postage-stamps of New Zealand and South Australia. I have, &c, The Earl of Eosebery, K.G., &c. Spenser St. John.

No. 34. (New Zealand, No. 64.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 18th December, 1893. With reference to Sir William Jervois's Despatch No. 25, of the 9th March, 1887, and to previous correspondence respecting the recognition in the United Kingdom of passenger certificates granted by the Legislature of New Zealand, I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, from which it will be seen that it is desired that copies of the regulations under which passenger vessels are surveyed in the colony should be sent as soon as may be convenient for the approval of that department, and that such regulations should be transmitted once in each year in future. Your Government will no doubt take the necessary steps for complying with the wishes of the Board of Trade. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

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Enclosure. Sib, — Board of Trade, Marine Department, London, S.W., 11th December, 1893. With reference to your letter of the 9th March, 1887, and to previous correspondence respecting the recognition in the United Kingdom of passenger certificates granted by the Legislature of New Zealand, I am directed by the Board of Trade to state that the Order in Council issued upon the subject on the 26th November, 1886, provides for the annual approval by this Board of the regulation under which passenger vessels were to be surveyed in the colony. As no regulations have been approved since the order came into effect, I am to suggest, for the consideration of the Secretary of State, that the attention of the Government of New Zealand should be called to the matter, and that they should be requested to transmit three copies of their regulations to this department as soon as may be convenient, and once in each year in future. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Ingeam B. Walkeb.

No. 35. (New Zealand, No. 3.) Downing Street, Bth January, 1894. Intimating that Her Majesty will not be advised to exercise her power of disallowance with respect to the Acts of the Legislature of New Zealand passed in the fourth session of the eleventh Parliament, 1893. [For list of Acts see A.-l, 1894, No. 16.]

No. 36. (New Zealand, No. 6.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 18th January, 1894. With reference to my despatches of the 10th of April and the 31st August last, I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, a copy of a letter from the Admiralty respecting alterations in the limits of the Australian and Pacific stations. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 8,

Enclosure. Sir, — Admiralty, Ist January, 1894. With reference to your letter of the 4th ultimo, respecting the proposed alterations in the limits of the Australian station, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State, that the Commanders-in-Chief on the Australian and Pacific stations have been informed that the alteration is to take effect on the Ist April next. My Lords have also decided to alter from the same date the western limit of the northern part of the Pacific station so as to include the whole of the Hawaiian islands and the more important of the American islands of the Behring Sea in that station. The western limit of this station will therefore be — By the meridian of 149° 30' west longitude from the Antarctic circle to the equator; thence along that line west to 160° west longitude ; thence north to 12° north latitude ; along that parallel to the meridian of 180° ; and thence on that meridian north to the shores of Asia. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgbegob.

No. 37. (Circular.) Sic,— Downing Street, 12th February, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your government, a copy of an Order of Her Majesty the Queen in Council, dated the 29th January, 1894, for giving effect to the treaty between Her Majesty and the President of the Argentine Bepublic for the mutual extradition of fugitive criminals, signed at Buenos Ayres on the 22nd May, 1889, the ratifications of which were exchanged at Buenos Ayres on the 15th of December, 1893. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand. [For enclosure see New Zealand Gazette, 3rd May, 1894, p. 669.]

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No. 38. (Circular.) Sib, — Downing Street, 10th March, 1894. I have recently received from the Governor of New South Wales a despatch, enclosing for my favourable consideration a copy of a letter from the speaker of the Legislative Assembly suggesting that the title of "honourable" might be retained by Presidents of the Legislative Council and Speakers of the Legislative Assembly on quitting office after they have served three years in their respective offices, as in the case of Executive Councillors. I concur in the suggestion, and shall therefore be prepared in future to submit for the approval of the Queen the recommendation of the Governor of any colony having Responsible Government that the President of the Legislative Council (if necessary) or the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly may, on quitting office after three years' service in their respective offices, be permitted to retain the title of " honourable." I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand.

No. 39. (Circular.) Sib,— Downing Street, 20th March, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your government, a copy of an order of Her Majesty the Queen in Council, dated the 3rd March, 1894, for giving effect to the treaty between Her Majesty and His Majesty the King of Portugal for the mutual extradition of fugitive criminals, signed at Lisbon on the 17th October, 1892, the ratifications of which were exchanged at Lisbon on the 13th November, 1893. I have, <fee, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand. [For enclosure see New Zealand Gazette, 7th June, 1894, p. 822.]

No. 40. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 21st March, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your government, a copy of an order of Her Majesty the Queen in Council, dated the 10th March, 1894, for giving effect to the treaty between Her Majesty and the President of the Eepublic of Liberia for the mutual extradition of fugitive criminals, signed at London on the 16th December, 1892, the ratifications of which were exchanged at London on the 31st January, 1894. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand. [For enclosure see Neio Zealand Gazette, 7th June, 1894, p. 825.] Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,350 copies), £14 Is. 6d.

By Authority; Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington. Price 9d.]