A.—2

28

It would be of the utmost assistance to the scheme of the Board if Mr. Chamberlain should see fit to cause despatches to be sent from the Colonial Office to the Governors of the colonies named requesting them to forward Mr. Aitken's mission. ~ I may perhaps add that the Prince of Wales takes a deep and active interest in the work, and is kept informed of all important steps taken by the Board. I enclose a copy of a letter written by His Royal Highness to the Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, of one written on his behalf to the Chancellors of other colonial universities, and of a letter addressed en route by Mr. Aitken to Mr. Grinsted, the clerk, who, in the absence of the honorary secretary, is doing our secretarial work; also copies of our first colonial syllabus, and of the latest report of the Board. . I have, &c, Thomas Theelfall, Edward Wingfield, Esq., C.8., Colonial Office. Chairman of the Board.

Sir,— 32, Maddox Street, London, W., 30th July, 1897. I have heard with much pleasure that, on behalf of the University of Adelaide, you have concluded an agreement for holding a joint examination with the Associated Board of the Boyal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music this autumn. I hope the agreement may form the basis of a lengthened connexion between the two bodies, and may tend to the increase of musical knowledge and practice, and may be mutually satisfactory to both institutions. I am, (fee., Albert Edward, P. The Right Hon. Chancellor Samuel James Way, D.C.L., &c, the University, Adelaide.

Sir,— 32, Maddox Street, London, W., 30th July, 1897. The Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music, in extending its musical examinations to the colonies and dependencies of Great Britain, has the hearty and entire support of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. The object of the Board is to raise the standard of musical attainments throughout the kingdom. The honorary secretary, Mr. Aitken, is proceeding to the various colonial centres to extend and organize the examinations, and I am desired to say that it will afford His Royal Highness much satisfaction if you will be good enough to give Mr. Aitken every assistance in your power, and thus enable him to accomplish his object. I remain, &c, Francis Knollys, (Circular letter to Chancellors of colonial universities.) Private Secretary.

E.M.S. " Orient," off Colombo, Dbak Mb. Geinstbd, — Monday, 30th August, 1897. I find there is a great idea afloat just now—in fact, it has been discussed with the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Chamberlain—that there ought to be not only a drawing together of the colonies and Mother-country in political affairs, but that there should be an effort made to get, as it were, a regular interchange of people—colonists from England, and also colonials to England, especially in the younger branches—those who have been born in the colonies, and who do not look upon England as home in the sense in which a past generation of colonists do. Will you ask Mr. Taylor if he thinks it possible that my present mission, and more particularly the Prince's great interest in it, could be brought before and explained to Mr. Chamberlain, and so try and secure his assistance with the colonies I am about to visit ? I believe he will be found to be very enthusiastic in the matter, and it might be attended with far-reaching results. I do not know what to suggest to you as to how you should proceed, but if it is to be of any use to me on the present occasion it must be done at once. Perhaps you could show copies of His Eoyal Highness's letters to the Chancellors to Mr. Chamberlain. Yours, &c, Samuel Aitken. Mr. P. A. Grinsted, the Associated Board of the B.A.M. and the R.C.M., 32, Maddox Street, London, W.

No. 42. (No. 65.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 20th October, 1897. I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of your Ministers, that the Japanese Government has made repeated representations to Her Majesty's Government, through their Minister at this Court, on the subject of the legislation passed by certain of the Australasian Colonies for the restriction of coloured immigration,