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allowance of £200 per annum for ten years, and to provide a consular house, if required to do so, his Lordship would be prepared to appoint an officer to the post in question. It was pointed out by this department that, in selecting a Consul, it would be desirable that the Foreign Office should bear in mind the importance of appointing a gentleman who would have the confidence of trading and other interests in the colonies; and special reference was drawn to the fact that it was desired that this officer should act as agent for the colony under your Government. Lord Iddesleigh, however, anticipated that an arrangement under which the same gentleman would be under the orders of the Crown and the colony at the same time might be open to objection; but that, before a definite opinion was given, it would be desirable that fuller information should be furnished as to the duties of the proposed colonial agency. I have, &c, EDWAED STANHOPE. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

No. 16. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 10th January, 1887. I have the honour to acquaint you that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have agreed to place annually at the disposal of the Secretary of State, on behalf of the sons of families settled in the principal colonies, three nominations for engineer studentships in Her Majesty's dockyards, under the general regulations at present in force with regard to these appointments ; and I transmit for your information the accompanying extract from a letter from the Admiralty on the subject, together with copies of the general regulations referred to, and of a form of particulars which should accompany each application for a nomination. I have to request that applications, accompanied by your recommendation, may be forwarded so as to reach the Secretary of State before the 31st of December in the present and any succeeding year. I have, &c, EDWAED STANHOPE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

[For Enclosure see New Zealand Gazette, 14th April, 1887, page 483.]

No. 17. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 13th January, 1887, I have the honour to inform you that I have received from the Chairman of the Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited) copies of a letter and memorandum, dated the 23rd December last, with reference t*o the existing telegraph communication and to the proposal for a Pacific cable. I should be glad to be furnished with a copy of any reply which your Government may make to Mr. Pender's letter. I have, &c, EDWAED STANHOPE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

P.-2,1887, No. 158.

No. 18. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 14th January, 1887. I have the honour to inform you that Her Majesty has been pleased to intrust to my care, as one of the Principal Secretaries of State, the Seals of the Colonial Department. I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.