9

A.—2

No. 8. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. (New Zealand, No. 49.) Sir, — Downing Street, 16th August, 1883. I duly caused to be forwarded, for the consideration of the Marquis of Hartington, a copy of your Despatch No. 42, of the 16th of June last, enclosing a petition from the widow of Major Edward Withers for the grant -of a pension; and I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, a copy of a letter from the War Office on the subject. I request that you will cause Mrs. Withers to be informed in the sense of the W Tar Office letter. I have, &c. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G. C.B. &c. DEEBY.

Enclosure. The War Office to the Colonial Office. (No. 11344/33.) Sib, — Financial Secretary's Department, War Office, 14th August, 1883. I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Meade's letter of the 2nd instant, and to acquaint you, in reply, that he regrets that he is unable to comply with Mrs. Withers' request for a special pension and compassionate allowance from Army funds, as her late husband married after his retirement from the army, and while he was in the service of the Colony of New Zealand. I have, &c. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. B. H. Knox.

No. 9. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 21st August, 1883. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Government, a copy of a letter from Lloyds, requesting to be supplied with certain information respecting the signal-stations on the coasts of the Australian Colonies. I request that you will obtain from your Government and transmit to me the information desired by Lloyds with respect to the signal-stations on the coasts of the colony under your Government. I have, &c. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G. C.B. &c. DEEBY.

Reply, A.-1, No. 11.

Enclosure. The Secbetaby of Lloyds to the Colonial Office. Sic,— Lloyds, E.G. 16th August, 1883. I am directed by the Committee of Lloyds to beg that you will be good enough to inform the Secretary of State for the Colonies that it might be of great advantage to the shipping community of this country if it were accurately known here at what points of the coasts of Australia and New Zealand signal-stations have been established, with which passing vessels can communicate, either in order that their passing may be reported to this country, or that, if they are in distress, information may be similarly sent here. It would also be of great advantage if the Committee of Lloyds knew which of these stations were connected by wire with the general telegraphic system of Australasia, so that reports can be received from them, and those from which reports can merely be received in the ordinary course of post. It would also be of great advantage if the terms of payment were known on which reports could be obtained by the Committee of Lloyds from these signal-stations. I am, &c, Edwd. Puttook, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. (For the Secretary.)

No. 10. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 22nd August, 1883. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the consideration of your -. 2—A. 2.

Reply, A.-l, No. 15.