2

A.—2

Enclosures. * Sib,— Foreign Office, 9th March, 1896. With reference to my letter of the sth ultimo, I am directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to transmit to you, to be laid before Mr. Secretary Chamberlain for his information, a copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Washington relating to the case of A. B. Worthington. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. H. Pebcy Andeeson.

My Loed,— Washington, 27th February, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch No. 1 of this series, of the Ist instant, transmitting copy of a letter from the Colonial Office enclosing a copy of a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand respecting an American citizen, A. B. Worthington, now residing at Christchurch, in that colony. In accordance with your Lordship's instructions, I spoke to the Secretary of State on this subject, and left a copy of the printed pamphlet forwarded in your Lordship's despatch with Mr. Olney. I have, &c, The Marquis of Salisbury, K.G., &c. Julian Pauncefote.

No. 2. (Circular.) Sib,— Downing Street, 27th March, 1896. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a new regulation which has been issued by the Secretary of State for War, and incorporated in the Queen's Eegulations, regarding the relative position and command of Imperial and colonial military officers. This regulation has been substituted for the regulation enclosed in Lord Knutsford's circular despatch of the 3rd February, 1890. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Queen's Regulations and Obdees for the Army. Section 11., Paragraph (d). (d.) Officers of the army serving in any-British colony or dependency with rank granted by the Queen shall have precedence of colonial officers of equal rank, but if holding local rank conferred upon them by the colonial authorities shall take rank with colonial officers according to the dates of their respective colonial ranks: Provided that colonels serving in the Dominion of Canada with rank granted by the Queen or by the General Officer commanding the Forces there shall have precedence of and command over all colonial officers ; and also that field officers of the regular Forces in a colony or dependency shall have precedence of and command over field officers of the Permanent Militia and Volunteer Forces there, if so ordered by the Governor. Local or temporary rank granted to an officer of the army on assuming command of colonial Forces, or when proceeding to a colony for any special service, shall be conferred by the Queen.

No. 3. (Circular.) Sib,— Downing Street, 28th March, 1896. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter addressed to me by the Incorporated Chamber of Commerce, Halifax, calling attention to the very serious drawbacks that occur to spinners and manufacturers owing to the use of tar and similar substances in the marking of sheep. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

;e. )esonp aon o: looumen ith March, 1896 17th February, 1896 .... Foreign Office to Colonial Office. .... Sir J. Pauncefote to the Marquis of Salisbury.