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guidance. Ido not know what the rules of the order are. It maybe that it is customary for those who have attained distinction from Her Majesty to recommend Her Majesty to award the like or similar distinction to others who have done something for the Empire. If this is recognized I do not suppose any Government would seek to control any of its officers who might desire to exercise the privilege the order gave him. All I desired to point out was that a recommendation coming from an Agent-General was practically the recommendation of his Government and would be so treated, and that before such was made the Government should be consulted. Of course, in your private capacity, the Government had neither the right nor the desire to interfere in the slightest way with your action. Let me add, in concluding this correspondence, that it has been furthest from my intention to write anything that would in the slightest degree interfere or seem not to sympathize with you in your many arduous labours as Agent-General. No one can recognize more fully than Ido the care, the ability, and the loyalty to our colony that characterizes all your actions; and I feel sure you will see, on reviewing the correspondence, that my sole aim was to place on record my views as to the credit due to one who, as you justly say, deserves credit for the crowning work of the Imperial Stock Act. I have, &c, Sir P. Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Eobeet Stout.

No. 5. The Agent-Genebal to the Pbemieb. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 30th April, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th March in further reference to Mr. Mackrell. As I understand you to intimate that the correspondence is closed, I do not conceive myself to be at liberty to explain why I cannot but think your present letter adds to the injustice of the previous one. I should not, however, wish you to think that lam any the less sensible of the generous terms with which your letter concludes. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 6. The Peemieb to the Agent-Genebal. Sie, — New Zealand. Premier's Office, Wellington, 24th June, 1885. ib&B.gj I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt, per ss. " Aorangi," of your letter No. 530, of the 30th April last, in further reference to Mr. Mackrell. I have, &c, Sir P. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., Agent-General, &c. Eobeet Stout.

By Authority: Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBs.