A.—2

10

regards vessels proceeding to the United Kingdom, and to the Colonial Government when he indorses a local bill of health, or issues one himself, for a vessel proceeding to a British colony or dependency. Masters of vessels proceeding to a British port should be recommended to obtain either the indorsement of the local bill of health by Her Majesty's Consul, or a separate bill of health from the Consul himself. This is especially advisable in the case of vessels proceeding to a British colony or dependency. The following form of indorsement or visa is to be used: "I certify the signature on the other side hereof (or as case may be) to be that of the (Prefet or other local authority) in this city."

No. 10. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 12th April, 1893. With reference to my circular despatch of the 29th November, 1892, I have the honour to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your government, copies of two orders of the Queen in Council dated respectively the 18th August, 1892, and the 30th January, 1893, modifying the regulations for preventing collisions at sea contained in the schedule to the Order in Council of the 11th August, 1884, which was enclosed in Lord Derby's circular despatch of the sth September, 1884. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand. [For enclosure see New Zea and Gazette, 15th Juue, 1893, p. 899.]

No. 11. (New Zealand, No. 21.) My Lord,— Downing Street, Bth May, 1893. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of a letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty stating the construction which their Lordships place upon the Australasian agreement in the Imperial Defence Act of 1888, so far as it affects the date for the collection and completion under Article X. of the annual sums due by the colonies on account of their several contributions towards the cost and maintenance of the auxiliary squadron. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G,, &c.

Enclosure. Sib,— Admiralty, 24th April, 1893. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to forward herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a statement showing the actual cost during 1891-92 of the maintenance of the ships forming the Australasian squadron, from which it will be seen that the total charge under this head exceeds the sum of £91,000 specified in Article VII., section 3, of the Australasian Agreement in the Imperial Defence Act of 1888. 2. My Lords made no claim for advance for the year 1890-91; but, in order to prevent any misunderstanding hereafter, they desire me to request that you will lay the following statement before the Secretary of State, with a view to communicating the same to the various Australasian Colonies. The seven colonies have to pay between them, for a minimum period of ten years from the 27th January, 1891, when the first of the seven vessels composing the Australasian squadron was put in commission, an annuity of £35,000, interest on prime cost; £91,000, maintenance : £126,000. My Lords will claim the full sum of £1,260,000 for this decennial period. If Article X. could have been literally complied with, the first tenth of this sum would have been received in 1890-91. It would, however, have been physically impossible to have communicated the various dates of commission in January, February, and March, 1891, to the colonies, and obtained the requisite vote and payment, before the 31st March, 1891. Consequently the common-sense arrangement, and the nearest practical compliance with Article X., is to collect the first tenth in 1891-92 and the last in 1900-1. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgkegoe.