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Enclosure No. 9. The Agents-Genebal to the Colonial Office. My Lord,— Westminster Chambers, 9, Victoria Street, S.W., 14th April, 1892. We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Fairfield's letter of the 6th instant, enclosing a copy of correspondence which has passed between the Colonial Office and the War Office on the subject of the appointment of an artillery officer on the active list to inspect and pass warlike stores purchased in England for the Australasian Colonies. We observe that the' Secretary of State for War has selected Lieut.-Colonel J. F. Harmon, E.A., for the appointment in question, and that he will be appointed an ex officio associate member of the Ordnance Committee, with access to all the records of the Committee, and to all meetings, &c, on taking up the post of Inspector of Warlike Stores for the Australasian Colonies. With reference to Lieut.-Colonel Harmon's request that he may be granted the allowance of £200 a year for the expense of a clerk and office-accommodation, as mentioned in paragraph (c) of the joint letter of the Agents-General, dated 12th February last, in preference to receiving clerical assistance through the Agents-General in respect of each of the colonies concerned, on behalf of our Governments we are willing to comply with Lieut.-Colonel Harmon's request to allow him £200 per annum to be expended in the employment of a clerk and providing officeaccommodation in the vicinity of the chambers. We now beg to state that it will be convenient if Lieut.-Colonel Harmon can be permitted to enter upon his duties on behalf of the colonies on the Ist day of May next, and have to ask you to be good enough to communicate with the Secretary of State for War accordingly. We have, &c, Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales. E. Beaddon, Agent-General for Tasmania. Jas. F. Gaeeick, Agent-General for Queensland. Westly B. Pekcival, Agent-General for New Zealand. J. C. Bray, Agent-General for South Australia. J. Muneo, Agent-General for Victoria. The Bight Hon. the Secretary of State, Colonial Office.

Enclosure No. 10. The Colonial Office to the Wae Office. Sir, — Downing Street, 19th April, 1892. With reference to your letter of the 22nd ultimo, I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid before Mr. Secretary Stanhope, a copy of a joint letter, signed by the Agents-General for New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, New Zealand, South Australia, and Victoria, assenting on the part of the Governments which they represent to allow Lieut.Colonel Harmon, R.A., £200 per annum to be expended in the employment of a clerk and providing office-accommodation in the vicinity of Victoria Street, and requesting that, if convenient, this officer may enter upon his duties in connection with the inspection and passing all warlike stores purchased in England on behalf of the colonies named from the Ist May next. I am to request that his Lordship may be informed what answer should be returned to this application. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, War Office. E. H. Meade.

Enclosure No. 11. The Wae Office to the Colonial Office. Sir,— War Office, 23rd April, 1892. With reference to your letter of the 19th instant, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that Mr. Secretary Stanhope has approved of the appointment of Lieut.-Colonel J. F. Harmon, E.A., to be Inspector of Warlike Stores for the Australasian Colonies from the Ist proximo. This officer will receive no pay from army funds whilst holding the post in question. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Ealph Thompson.

No. 5. (New Zealand, No. 14.) Sir,— Downing Street, 3rd May, 1892. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 8, of the 29th of February, reporting the departure from New Zealand of the Earl of Onslow on the 25th of that month, and your assumption of the government of the colony on the same day. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government KNUTSFOED. of New Zealand.

A.-IA, 1892, No. 1.

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