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2

No. 2. (No. 18.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 12th May, 1898. In reply to your despatch of the sth January last, marked New Zealand, No. 1, transmitting a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, requesting an assimilation of the New Zealand law to that of the United Kingdom in respect of steamers requiring to be provided with passenger certificates, I have the honour to inform you that Ministers state that the representation of the Board of Trade will be considered when amending the Shipping and Seamen's Acts. I have, &c, The Bight Hon. J. Chamberlain, JAMES BBBNDEBGAST. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 3. (No. 23.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 26th May, 1898. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—General) dated the 4th November, 1897, on the subject of the grant of medals to the Bermanent Borces of New Zealand, I have the honour to forward you, for the information of the Secretary of State for War, two copies of the regulations governing the issue of the medals referred to, which have been amended as directed in the despatch under reply. - I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLT. Secretary of State for the Colonies,

No. 4. (No. 24.) Sin, — Government House, Wellington, 26th May, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch circular, dated the Bth March, 1898, asking to be supplied with copies of all laws, regulations, &c, in operation in the British colonies regarding the protection of copyright. In accordance with your request, I have pleasure now to furnish herewith three copies of such documents, two of which are for transmission to the Director of the Bureau at Berne. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 5. (No. 32.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd June, 1898. In reply to your despatch (New Zealand—General), dated the sth October, 1897, requesting to be supplied with a brief authoritative account of the system of education existing in this colony, I have now the honour to forward you this account, and regret, owing to the illness of the officer who prepared it, that there has been considerable delay in doing so. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANBURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Memorandum for the Eight Hon. the Premier. Despatch No. 330/97, from the Secretary of State to His Excellency the Governor, dated the sth October, 1897, covered *a letter to me from the Secretary to the Education Department asking for an authoritative account of the education system of the colony. I enclose my reply, which I beg you to forward to His Excellency for transmission to the Home Government. 18th June, 1898. W. C, Walkbb.