A.—2.

No. 14. (No. 8.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 17th January, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 87) of the 27th November last, enclosing a memorandum from your Premier, relative to the speech delivered by the Governor of Fiji at the opening of the Wainibokasi Hospital in that colony. 2. From my despatch (No. 110) of the 28th ultimo, you will have learnt that I have already expressed to Sir G. O'Brien my regret that some passages in his speech were open to misconstruction, and had given umbrage to your Government; and I feel confident, now that his attention has been drawn to the careful measures taken in New Zealand to protect the Natives, he will share my regret that he has said anything to cause offence. 3. I trust that Sir G. O'Brien's remarks will not have the evil effects anticipated by you and your Premier in the other Pacific Islands. I have, &c. J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1901, No. 48.

No. 10.

No. 15. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 26th January, 1901. On the 24th instant, in consequence of the demise of Her late Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria and the accession of His present Majesty, King Edward the Seventh, I had the honour to transmit to you a telegram of which a copy is subjoined. 2. I now enclose, for your information and for publication in the colonial Gazette, copies of the King's Proclamation referred to in my telegram, which requires all persons being in office of authority or government at the decease of the late Queen to proceed in the execution of their respective offices. 3. Extracts from the London Gazette of the 25th instant, which contains the various official announcements made on this occasion, are also enclosed for your information. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosures. (Telegram.) It is with profound regret that I have to inform you of the demise of Her late Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. Her Majesty expired at Osborne House at 6.30 in the afternoon of the 22nd instant, to the great affliction of the Boyal Family and of all classes of Her Majesty's subjects. His present Majesty was this day proclaimed King Edward the Seventh, with all the usual formalities. The following Proclamation for proclaiming His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward the Seventh was yesterday approved by His Majesty the King in Council. You will take immediate steps for issuing it within your Government. [Proclamation begins.'] Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God to call to His mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria of blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the Imperial Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and all other Her late Majesty's dominions, is solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty Prince Albert Edward, we [Insert the description of the persons making the Proclamation] therefore do now hereby, with one full voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that the High and Mighty Prince Albert Edward is now by the death of our late Sovereigh of happy and glorious memory become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord Edward the Seventh, by the Grace of God, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, Supreme Lord in and over the [Here insert the description of the possession or colony where the Proclamation is made] , to

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