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tragical than any, but one, which has befallen me and mine, as well as the nation. The 2 overwhelming misfortune of my dearly loved grandson having been thus suddenly cut off in I the flower of his age, full of promise for the future, amiable and gentle, and endearing himself to all, renders it hard for his sorely-stricken parents, his dear young bride, and his fond grandmother, to bow in submission to the inscrutable decrees of Providence. 3 "The sympathy of millions, which | has been so touchingly and visibly expressed, is deeply gratifying at such a time, and I wish, both in my own name and that of my children, to express, from my heart, my warm gratitude to all. 4 " These testimonies of sympathy with us, and appreciation of my dear grandson, whom | I loved as a son, and whose devotion to me was as great as that of a son, will be a help and consolation to me and mine in our affliction. "My bereavements during the last thirty years of my reign have indeed been heavy. 5 Though the labours, anxieties, and [ responsibilities inseparable from my position have been great, yet it is my earnest prayer that God may continue to give me health and strength to work for the good and happiness of my dear country and Empire while life lasts. "Victoeia B. I." Enclosure No. 2. 6 The following official telegram | has been received from Sir Francis Knollys, at Windsor Castle: — " The Prince and Princess of Wales are anxious to express to Her Majesty's subjects, .whether in the United Kingdom, in the colonies, or in India, the sense of their deep gratitude 7 for the universal feeling of sympathy manifested towards them |at a time when they are overpowered by the terrible calamity which they have sustained in the loss of their beloved eldest, son. " If sympathy at such a moment is of any avail, the remembrance that their grief has been 8 shared by all classes will be a lasting consolation to | their sorrowing hearts, and, if possible, will make them more than ever attached to then dear country. " Windsor Castle, 20th January, 1892." No. 7. My Loed, — Downing Street, 2nd February, 1892. 9 I have the honour to draw your Lordship's attention to my circular despatch of | the 12th of January, 1891, and to request that I may be furnished with an expression of the views of your Government on the proposed issue of exequaturs to Consular officers appointed by the Chinese Government in British Dominions. I have, &c, 10 Knutsfoed. I (b.) At the rate of 80 words per minute. Takes 10 minutes. The department has given special attention during the past year to the enforcement of the Licensing Act, more especially as regards Sunday trading, and closing licensed houses at stipulated hours. In many cases convictions have been obtained, but not without considerable difficulty. That Sunday trading and selling during prohibited hours are carried on to a great extent throughout the colony cannot be denied, but the department is severely handicapped 1 by the difficulty of obtaining convictions, as the law is so j complicated and defective that, in many cases taken into Court, though the police feel bound to prosecute, not the slightest hope of a conviction is entertained. When a case breaks down the result is twofold : the police of a district are damaged in the eyes of the public, and the law-breaker is encouraged to continue his illegal trade. It may be stated, in illustration of what is meant, that, though as many as 2 fifty persons may be seen |or known to enter a publichouse on a Sunday or during prohibited hours, no prosecution can be instituted with any hope of success, as no sufficient evidence may be obtained to prove the actual sale of liquor. It is almost hopeless to endeavour to successfully enforce the provisions of the Act unless the police are relieved of the necessity of proving an actual sale. This might be done by amendment of the Act to provide that admission of 3 persons | not being lodgers, or the fact that a bar is found open, during prohibited hours, shall be prima facie evidence that the house is being kept open for the sale of liquor. The department is, however, alive to the necessity of the stringent supervision of licensed houses and the suppression of sly grog-selling, and will spare no effort to carry out the law. Perhaps the next most important question with which the police have to contend is what 4 is | known as the street-larrikin nuisance ; but the growth of this undoubted evil must be attributed rather to want of legislation and by-laws for its suppression than to the apathy of the police. It is easy to detect and punish overt acts of larrikinism; but such objectionable conduct as collecting at street-corners, obstructing footpaths, &c, is difficult to deal with, as in such cases proof must be forthcoming of actual obstruction before a conviction can be 5 obtained. Again, a | crowd of larrikins may collect and stand in a doorway as long as they please, provided the owner does not object and they are off the street-line ; though the nuisance may be great, the police are powerless. In the performance of constabulary duty strictness muse always be tempered with tact and discretion; and, were the police to lay informations under the head of acts of larrikinism indiscriminately, much mischief 6 and hardship would result. What is required is that constables [ should be legally intrusted with more discretionary powers than they at present possess in these matters. There could be no danger attendant upon giving these, for the department has a right to demand and receive the assistance of the municipal authorities by absolutely necessary bylaws, clearly defined. Strict orders have been issued by the department for the suppression of