25

A.—2

British colonies will adhere to that temporary arrangement, and that he therefore feels sure that any proposal to include any colony would be well received at the Belgian Foreign Office. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 25. (Q-eneral.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 16th September, 1898. I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, asking to be supplied with certain information as to the operation in the colonies of the laws relating to the compulsory working of patented inventions. I shall be obliged if you will furnish me with the information desired in relation to the colony under your government, and I shall be glad if you will forward to me at the same time two copies of the laws and regulations at present in force dealing with the subject. I have, &c, FEEDEEICK GEAHAM, For the Secretary of State. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 26. (No. 61.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 3rd October, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 24th instant, requesting me to convey to Her Majesty the thanks of the people of New Zealand for the honour conferred on the colony in sanctioning the burial of the late Sir George Grey in St. Paul's Cathedral. This message was duly laid before the Queen, and Her Majesty was pleased to receive it graciously. I have, &c, SELBOUENE, For the Secretary of State. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 27. (No. 63.) My Loed, — Downing Street, sth October, 1898. With reference to your despatch No. 78, of the 23rd December last, covering copy of a memorandum by the Premier of New Zealand respecting " The Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Act, 1896," I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, copy of a letter from the Board of Trade enclosing a memorandum on the subject by their solicitor. It will not, in my opinion, be necessary that Her Majesty should be advised to exercise her power of disallowance in respect of this Act when the usual authenticated copy has been received. I have, &c, EDWAED WINGFIELD, For the Secretary of State. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1898 No. 22.

Enclosure. Board of Trade (Marine Department), 7, Whitehall Gardens, Sib,— London, S.W., 29th July, 1898. With reference to previous correspondence between this department and the Colonial Office respecting the provisions of " The (New Zealand) Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment 4—A. 2.