A.—2

32

The date in paragraph 1 and the fourth line of paragraph 2 should be the date of the publication of the regulations instead of the date of the Eoyal Warrant. The date in the first line of paragraph 2 should be the day before the date of publication. The colour of the ribbon for the medal issued to colonial Volunteers will be the same as that for the Volunteer Force in this country. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 47. (No. 69.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 17th November, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 55, of the 30th September last, transmitting a copy of the speech with which you opened the second session of the thirteenth Parliament of New Zealand upon the 23rd September, together with a copy of the address of the Legislative Council in reply. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1898, No. 9.

No. 48. (No. 70.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 19th November, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Sir J. Prendergast's despatch No. 41, of the Bth July, reporting the transmission of an address to Her Majesty the Queen from the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Alexandra South, in the Province of Otago. This address, when received through the Agent-General for New Zealand, was laid before Her Majesty, who was pleased to receive it very graciously, and commanded me to convey her cordial thanks to the signatories for their loyal congratulations on the completion of the sixtieth year of her reign. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly,' K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 49. (No. 72.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 20th November, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 54, of the 7th September, forwarding, for presentation to Her Majesty the Queen, a poem on the occasion of the completion of the sixtieth year of her reign, by Mr. W. L. Mitchell, of Otago. This composition has been laid before Her Majesty, who commanded that her thanks should be conveyed to Mr. Mitchell for this expression of his loyal sentiments. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.