35

A.—2

2. Her Majesty expressed her great admiration of the artistic manner in which this address has been bound and illuminated, and was graciously pleased to command that her most cordial thanks might be returned to the scholars of the public schools for their kind and touching expression of loyalty. 3. I have, however, to express to you Her Majesty's regret that it is impossible for her to comply with the request that her reply to the address might be by means of the phonograph. It has been thought advisable to decline numerous similar applications, and it is feared that inconvenience might ensue if an exception were made in the present case. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 55. (No. 10.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 29th January, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 77, of the 7th December, 1897, reporting that you had appointed Sir James Prendergast to inquire into the affairs of the Cook Islands at Rarotonga in place of Sir H. S. Berkeley, and enclosing a copy of the instructions which you issued to the former. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1898,, , No. 21.

No. 56. (No. 13.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 4th February, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 79, of the 23rd December, and to grant you leave of absence from New Zealand for a period not exceeding fourteen days for the purpose of visiting Australia next May. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1898, No. 23.

No. 57. (No. 15.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 9th February, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 85, of the 23rd December last, forwarding a copy of the Alien Immigration Restriction Bill, 1897, which passed the House of Representatives, but was thrown out by the Legislative Council. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation (not given); printing, (1,400 copies), £18 2s.

A.-l, 1898, No. 25.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9B.

Price Is.]