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4. I am also desired, with reference to your letter of the 28th February (092-359), to enclose a copy of a despatch from Sir A. Gordon (No. 26, of the 18th of May), with its enclosure, respecting the medical examination in New Zealand of candidates for cadetships, and I am to request that you will move Mr. Childers to inform Lord Kimberley of the answers which should be returned to the various questions raised in Sir A. Gordon's despatches. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, War Office. John Beamston.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 3. The Wae Office to the Colonial Office. Sib,— War Office, 29th July, 1882. I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, forwarding copies of despatches from the Governor of New Zealand, together with resolutions of the Senate of the University of that colony, relative to the examination required of members of the University previous to their nomination as cadets at the Eoyal Military College, Sandhurst. With regard to the resolution dated 15th March, 1882, Mr. Secretary Childers desires me to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that, the ordinary entrance examination for the Eoyal Military College being strictly competitive, it would be impossible to recognize the first section of the examination for the degree of B.A. at the New Zealand University as equivalent to the further examination specified in paragraph 18 of the accompanying Eegulations, except so far as relates to the students whom the University authorities are entitled, under certain conditions, to nominate at the rate of one per annum. I am further to remark that the rules approved by the Secretary of State, and notified to you in my letter of the Bth June, 1881, came into operation from that date, and that the certificate of a medical officer of the Armed Constabulary in New Zealand will, under the circumstances mentioned, be accepted as sufficient evidence of the physical fitness for the army of University candidates for admission to the Eoyal Military College. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Ealph Thompson.

No. 4. The Seceetaey of Education to Jhe Chancelloe. Sib, — Education Department, 17th March, 1883. I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Minister of Education, to send you copies of letters from the New Zealand Agency to the Colonial Office, and from the War Office to the Colonial Office, and also a despatch by His Excellency the Governor, and covering the copies of these letters. You will see that the War Office understands that the letter of the Bth June, 1881, from the War Office to the Colonial Office gives the Colonial Universities power to conduct the "preliminary" examination, or at least that the letter now sent gives the power. You will also see that the question of equal privileges to graduates and undergraduates of the New Zealand University and of English Universities is now understood by the War Office, and is under consideration. I have, &c, Wm. Jas. Habens, (for the Secretary of Education.) The Chancellor, New Zealand University, Christchurch.

Enclosure in No. 4. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Goveenoe. Sib,— Downing Street, 27th December, 1882. With reference to your Despatch No. 74, of the 3rd of October last, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, copies of letters that have been received in this department from the War Office and the Agent-General for New Zealand relative to the subjects in which candidates for the B.A. degree are tested in the New Zealand University, and to acquaint you that Sir I\ D. Bell's letter has been communicated to the War Office. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. Deebt.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 4. The Wae Office to the Colonial Office. Sib,— War Office, Bth December, 1882. I am directed by tie Secretary of State for "War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo, and to acquaint you, in reply, that, before it is possible to consider the wishes of the authorities of the New Zealan4 University that students who have passed the first examination for the degree of B.A. and are candidates for admission to the army may be placed on the same footing as graduates and stu-de'nts of the Home Universities, it will be necessary that this department should, be furnished with full particulars as to the subjects in which candidates are tested at the examination in question. I have further to add that the authorities of the Colonial Universities are empowered to conduct the "preliminary" examinations of candidates for the Eoyal Military College as prescribed iv para-