A.—2

23

I am to request to be furnished, for transmission to Queensland and New Zealand, with twelve additional copies of the printed paper enclosed in your letter of the 2nd June containing the report of the British delegates to the Brussels Conference. It is proposed to defer sending copies of the additional Act to the colonies generally until it is presented to Parliament. I am, &c, C. P. Lucas. The Assistant Secretary, Eailway Department, Board of Trade.

No. 17. (General.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 12th August, 1898. With reference to your Lordship's despatch (No. 32), of the 23rd June, a.-i, enclosing a letter from the Minister of Education covering a report on the No ' educational system of New Zealand for publication in the volume of special reports on colonial systems of education, I have the honour to state that the Lords of the Committee of Council on Education, to whom the papers were duly forwarded, have asked that their thanks may be conveyed to the Minister of Education for his courteous and valuable assistance. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 18. (No. 52.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 15th August, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 37), of the sth ultimo, reporting the appointment of Mr. Henare Tomoana to the Legislative Council. I have, &c, -. J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, &c.

No. 19. (Circular.) Sic, — Downing Street, 17th August, 1898. With reference to Lord Granville's circular despatch of the Ist March, 1886, I have the honour to transmit to you, for information in the colony under your government, copies of the Queen's Eegulations respecting foreign orders and medals, recently revised as regards foreign orders, and I have to request that they may be substituted for the copies of those previously in force. It will be observed that the exceptions under Eule 11. of the Eegulations of 1886 have been extended. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. [For enclosure, see New Zealand Gazette, 6th October, 1898, page 1589.]

No. 20. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 20th August, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that an address has been presented by the House of Commons to Her Majesty for a " Eeturn showing the British Colonies which pay Bounties on the Export of Agricultural Produce, and defining the Commodities on which such Bounties are paid, and the Amounts under each Heading." I shall be obliged if you will furnish me as soon as possible with the information, so far as it relates to the colony under your government, required to enable this return to be prepared. « I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.