25

A.—2

desires the allowance for engine-room in his ship to be estimated under the rules for engineroom measurement and allowance applicable to British ships, instead of under the Danish rule, the engine-room shall be measured and the allowance calculated according to the British rules. C. L. Peel.

No. 32. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 4.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 29th January, 1879. I am commanded by the Queen to acknowledge the receipt of a telegram from the Mayor of Christchurch, New Zealand, tendering a message of condolence on behalf of the citizens of that town upon the loss sustained by Her Majesty and the Royal Family by the death of Her Royal Highness the Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse-Darmstadt; and I am to request that you will convey to the Mayor Her Majesty's gracious appreciation and recognition of the expression of heartfelt sympathy in her bereavement. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanbv, G.C.M.G, &c.

No. 33. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 31st January, 1879. I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, with certain forms of import and export accounts, and to request you will cause these new forms to be substituted for those now in use in drawing up the colonial Blue Book. I am further to call your attention to the observations of the Board of Trade as to the expediency of dispensing with the distinction between goods imported and exported in British and foreign vessels, and the importance of stating separately, in the import and export accounts, the interchange of gold and silver, distinguishing bullion and specie. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 33. The Board of Trade to the Colonial Office. Office of Committee of Privy Council for Trade, Sir, — 23rd January, 1879. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th instant, relative to the returns of the re-export of foreign merchandise from British Honduras; and in accordance with Sir Michael Hicks Beaches request, lam directed to forward herewith certain forms of import and export accounts which the Board of Trade would suggest should be substituted for those now in use in the colonial Blue Books, in order to secure the distinction between the exports of domestic and those of foreign produce in the country account, as well as the present distinction in the detailed tables of articles. I am further to suggest that the distinction between goods imported and exported in British and foreign vessels might with advantage be dispensed with, as this division has long been omitted from the trade accounts of the United Kingdom, and may add materially to the work of compiling these tables in the colonies. I am to add that it would he desirable, in any circular that may be issued calling attention to these charges, that each colony should be reminded of the importance of stating separately, in the import and export accounts, the interchange of gold and silver, distinguishing bullion and specie. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. R. Giffen. 4—A. 2.