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2. In reply, I transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, from which it will be seen that there is no objection to the flag proposed for marine use described in your Lordship's despatch, provided the centre of the Union Jack be defaced by a circular or other shaped shield bearing some device, such as a tree, or whatever may be thought appropriate; but I should be glad to be first furnished with six copies of a coloured drawing of the proposed flag. 3. From a previous letter from the Admiralty, of which I also enclose a copy, it would appear that there is no objection to the use of the Union Jack on shore in the Cook Islands. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure No. 1. Sic, — Admiralty, 7th December, 1892. With reference to your letter of the 22nd ultimo, transmitting a copy of a despatch, with its enclosure, from the Governor of New Zealand, respecting the adoption of a Federal flag for vessels belonging to the Cook Islands, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you that they have no objection to the Union Jack being inserted in the flag as proposed, provided the flag itself is " differenced " with some device to be agreed upon. I am to add that the Admiralty have no jurisdiction over flags flown ashore. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgkegok.

Enclosure No. 2. Sib, — Admiralty, 10th January, 1893. With reference to your letter of the 23rd ultimo, and to former correspondence relative to the adoption of a Federal flag for vessels belonging to the Cook Islands, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that, Cook Islands being merely under British protection, and not part of Her Majesty's dominions, to allow them to wear the Union Jack " undifferenced " would be to give them a British character, which would, in their Lordships' opinion, be undesirable. My Lords suggest that some plainly visible device, such as a tree, &c, in the centre of the Union Jack would meet the case. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgeegoe.

No. 2. (Circular.) Sib, — Downing Street, 21st February, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of correspondence which has taken place between this department and the Foreign Office in regard to the appointment of foreign consular officers in the colonies, from which you will learn that, when the person it is proposed to appoint is not resident in the colony in which he is to act, no reference will be made to the Colonial Government or to this department. If, however, the Colonial Government should, after the appointment has been made, become aware of any objection to it, it would, of course, be proper to inform me of such objection, in order that it might be communicated to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. I have, &c, EIPON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure No. 1. Sic, — Downing Street, 6th February, 1893. I am directed by the Marquis of Eipon to state that it appears to his Lordship unnecessary to consult this department on the subject of the contemplated appointment of a foreign consular officer to act in a colony in which he is not resident. In such cases, neither the Colonial Government nor the Secretary of State for the Colonies has any facilities not possessed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for ascertaining whether the proposed appointment is or is not unobjectionable, and the reference becomes a mere matter of form.