A.—2

22

Of nine steamers owned by Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., and engaged in the New Zealand trade, five possess Board of Trade passenger certificates, and, with regard to these, no difficulty has arisen ; but four steamers —viz., " Mamari," " Matatua," " Pakeha," and " Eangatira " — being purely cargo-boats, do not hold such certificates, and, unless the owners are able to obtain exemption, these vessels will have to be surveyed in New Zealand twice at least in each year, a course involving very considerable expense and delay. The Board are informed that Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co. have sent in formal application for exemption, and the department has been asked to support this application by a representation of the facts to the Secretary of State. The vessels in question have been employed in the New Zealand trade for many years without being subjected to survey in the colony. As they carry no passengers, the Imperial law does not require them to hold Board of Trade passenger certificates, to obtain which, indeed, they would have to comply with conditions as to steam pressure which the department do not consider it necessary to impose in the case of cargo-steamers. These vessels are, however, perfectly fit in every respect for their service. They hold the highest class at Lloyd's (viz., 100 Al), and are certified by that body as "fit to carry dry and perishable cargoes to all parts of the world." In these circumstances, I am to suggest, for the consideration of the Secretary of State, that the case is one in which a representation in support of Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co.'s application might properly be made to the Government of New Zealand. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Walteb J. Howell.

No. 30. (No. 52.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 21st August, 1897. I have the honour to inform you that I duly received Lord Glasgow's despatch No. 48, of the 21st December, 1896, transmitting certain protests against the Asiatic Restriction Bill of 1896. You will observe from my despatch No. 47, of the 17th instant, that the subject has been under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, whose views are therein explained to you, and you will be good enough to inform the Speaker of the Legislative Council and the Chinese memorialists that the matter has been referred to the Colonial Government for further consideration, with a view to the introduction of some amendment in the Bill. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfuiiy, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, Sees. IT., 1897, No. 12. No. 26.

No. 31. (No. 53.) My Loud, — Downing Street, 25th August, 1897. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, with reference to Sir J. Prendergast's despatch No. 40, of the Bth July, a copy of the letter noted below, respecting the application of the Auckland Yacht Club to be allowed to use the title of " Koyal." I have, &c, EDWARD WINGFIELD, For the Secretary of State. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

A.-l, 1898, No. 2.

Enclosure. My Lord, — Downing Street, 25th August, 1897. With reference to the letter from this office of the 30th January last, stating that the Governor of New Zealand had been requested to furnish his observations on the application of the Auckland Yacht Club for permission to use the title " Royal," I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you a copy of a despatch on the subject from the Officer Administering the Government of the Colony.

Date. Description of Document. -ugust, 1897 Colonial Office to the Earl of Dunraven.