A.—2a,

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No. 50. (New Zealand, No. 25.) Sir, — Downing Street, 2nd May, 1885. With reference to your Despatch No. 4, of the 3rd of January last, and to previous correspondence respecting the fugitive offender A. E. Anderson, I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, a copy of a letter from the Home Office containing an inquiry respecting the circumstances under which Anderson was allowed to withdraw a sum of money standing to his credit in one of the local banks. I request that you will be so good as to obtain a report on the subject. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

A.-l, No. 18. Answer. A,-IA, No. 60.

Enclosure. Sir,— Whitehall, 27th April, 1885. I am directed by the Secretary of State to submit to you, for the information of the Earl of Derby, the following extract from a letter which has been received from the Vestry Clerk of Liverpool, relative to the arrest in New Zealand of A. F. Anderson, a fugitive criminal: — "There is one matter in connection with the arrest of the criminal which appears to call for investigation. At the time of the arrest by the New Zealand police there was standing to the credit of the prisoner in one of the local banks a considerable sum, for the withdrawl of which he was permitted, whilst in custody, to sign a cheque. The sum in question was withdrawn before the arrival of the Liverpool officer, and all trace of it was lost." In view of this statement I am to request that, if the Earl of Derby sees no objection, inquiry may be made of the New Zealand Government as to the circumstances under which this happened. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. A. F. 0. Liddell.

No. 51. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 6th May, 1885. I have the honour to inform you, at the request of Earl Granville, that the Commercial Cable Company, which has laid cables from Erance to Ireland and thence to America, has applied to be allowed to adhere to.the International Telegraph Convention. Regulation 81, paragraph 2, of the Service Regulations attached to the Convention states that private telegraph companies may be admitted to the advantages stipulated in the Convention and Service Regulations on their acceding to all the obligatory clauses, and on the notification of the fact by the State which granted them the concession or authority to work their line. Her Majesty's Government have accepted the adhesion of the company, which will date from the 19th of Eebruarv, 1885. I have, &c, DERBY. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 52. (New Zealand, No. 27.) Sib,— Downing Street, 16th May, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 34, of the 28th of March last, enclosing a memorandum by Sir Julius Vogel on the Eederation of the British Empire. You will be so good as to inform Sir Julius Vogel that Her Majesty's Ministers have read- this memorandum with much interest, and that it will be presented to Parliament. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c. DERBY.

A.-l, No. 32,

No. 53. (New Zealand, No. 28.) Sir,— Downing Street, 18th May, 1885. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your