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and to thank you for the copy of the despatch relative to the admission of colonial naval officers for training on board Her Majesty's ships forwarded therewith. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Melbourne, Victoria. H. A. Atkinson.

Enclosure 2. The Agent-General to the Premier. Sir, — Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 3rd April, 1891. I beg to enclose copy of a correspondence with Sir Graham Berry, Agent-General for Victoria, arising out of a letter addressed a year ago by Mr. Gillies, Premier of Victoria, to the Premiers of the other Australasian Colonies respecting the colonial naval forces. Not having received any instructions from your predecessor, I have taken no step in the matter here. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Sir,— Victoria Office, 15, Victoria Street, 17th March, 1891. I have the honour to inform you that I received from my Government, in April of last year, copies of a letter which has been addressed to the Premiers of all the Australasian Colonies with reference to a proposal that officers of the local naval forces should be received from time to time on board Her Majesty's ships on the Australian Station for the purpose of gaining experience and instruction. As the subject is one which requires co-operation to be successful, I should feel obliged by your informing me whether you have received any instructions from your Government. If you have not received a copy of the letter addressed by Mr. Gillies to the Premier of your colony I shall be pleased to send you my copy for your perusal. I have, &c, Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., Graham Berry. Agent-General for New Zealand.

Sir,— 13, Victoria Street, S.W., 20th March, 1891. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, relating to a proposal respecting the local naval forces of the Australasian Colonies. I thought that perhaps instructions might be received here by the " Doric's " mail yesterday ; but none came. I should be much obliged if you would be kind enough to let me peruse your copy of the letter addressed by the Hon. Mr. Gillies to the Premier of New Zealand. I have, &c, Sir Graham Berry, K.C.M.G., Agent-General for Victoria. F. D. Bell.

Sir,— Victoria Office, 15, Victoria Street, S.W., 23rd March, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, and to enclose for your perusal, as requested, a copy of the letter addressed by Mr. Gillies to the Premier of your colony on the subject of the proposal referred to in my letter of the 17th instant, respecting the local naval forces of the Australasian Colonies. I have, &c, The Agento-General for New Zealand, 13, Victoria street, S.W. Graham Berry.

Enclosure 3. The Premier to the Agent-General. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 29th May, 1891. Beferring to your letter No. 523, of the 3rd April last, enclosing copy of a correspondence with the Agent-General for Victoria respecting the colonial naval forces, I have the honour to inform you that the subject was brought under the consideration of this Government by the Premier of Victoria, but as we had no naval officers on active service no action was taken. In October last the Premier of Victoria forwarded copy of a despatch from Lord Knutsford (Victoria, No. 30th June, 1890), from the enclosures to which we learn that naval officers can be received on board Her Majesty's ships to obtain training and experience, and while so engaged will receive acting commissions and appointments. It is not clear from the correspondence whether the privilege is conceded to the Colony of Victoria only, or whether the other Australasian Colonies are embraced in the concession; and perhaps it would be as well if you would ascertain exactly the decision of the Imperial Government in the matter. Although, as I have said, we have no naval officers in our employ at present, the time may come when we shall be glad to avail ourselves of the privilege. I have, &c, P. A. Buckley, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., Agent-General. (For the Premier.)

No. 2, (No. 42.) My Loed, — Wellington, 24th June, 1891. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that on the 11th instant I opened the second session of the eleventh Parliament of New Zealand.