A.—l

18

No. 18. (No. 2.) Slit, — Christchurch, 6th January, 1886. I have the honour to state that I have this day transmitted a telegram to you, of which a copy is enclosed herewith. I have, &c, Wm. E. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. Colonel Stanley, M,P.

Enclosure. Referring to telegram of the 19th December, only one candidate under conditions laid down Corps Royal Engineers—Gilbert Montgomerie Hutton. Satisfactory testimonials. Particulars next mail.

No. 16, supra,

No. 19. (No. 3.) Sir, — Christchurch, 9th January, 1886. With reference to my telegram of the 6th instant, informing you that Mr. Gilbert Montgomerie Hutton was the only candidate for the commission in the Eoyal Engineers offered in your telegram of the 4th November last to graduates of the New Zealand University, I have now the honour to transmit a letter from the Education Department of this colony enclosing certificates as to Mr. G. M. Hutton —age, physique, and character —together with testimonials from masters and professors under whom he has studied. Erom these it appears that he fulfils the conditions laid down by the Secretary of State for "War—namely, that he was under twenty-two years of age on the Ist July last, that he is of good height and build, medically fit, and, further, that he is of good moral character. I have myself seen him, but I am, of course, personally unable to form an independent opinion of his mental qualifications. Erom the certificates and testimonials which I enclose, however, as well as from personal inquiries I have made, it appears that his education has been such as to fit him for undergoing the professional training requisite for an officer of the Eoyal Engineers. I may add that Mr. G. M. Hutton is the son of Mr. E. W. Hutton, late Captain in the Eoyal Welsh Eusileers, and employed on the staff in Dublin as D.A.Q.M.G., and now Professor of Natural Science in Canterbury College, University of New Zealand. I have, &c, Wm. c. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. Colonel Stanley, M.E.

No. 18, supra,

Enclosure. Letter from the Education Department. Sir, — Wellington, 4th January, 1886. I have the honour to forward for His Excellency the Governor the enclosed application from Mr. Gilbert Montgomerie Hutton, and other papers accompanying it. I send you a copy of the advertisement which appeared in the New Zealand Gazette for several weeks. I may mention that another application was received —from Mr. William P. Evans, a master in the Wellington College; but that gentleman has absolutely withdrawn his application. No others were received. I have, &c., John Hislop, The Private Secretary, &c. Secretary for Education.

Sub-Enclosure 1. Application from Mr. G. M. Hutton. Sir, — • 269, Armagh Street, Christclmrch, 19th December, 1885. I have the honour to inform you that I am a candidate for the commission in the Royal Engineers to be offered to graduates of the New Zealand University who were not more than twenty-two years old on the Ist of July, 1885, as notified in the New Zealand Gazelle, No. 63, 12th November, 1885. I enclose the required certificates. I have, &c., The Secretary of Education, Wellington. Gilbert Montgomerie Hutton,