A.—2

4

the ship " Discovery " is now to remain south another season, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are of opinion that it would be advisable for these observations to be continued for another year, up to 31st March, 1904. 2. I have therefore to request that you will be good enough to move your Government to arrange for the continuance until that date of such work as may have been carried on in furtherance of the scientific objects of the expedition. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 5. (General.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 9th April, 1903. a.-i, loos. With further reference to the memorandum prepared by the New ZeaNo - 6 - land Law Society, which accompanied your despatch 41), of thp 9th May, 1902, and in continuation of the third paragraph of my despatch " General," of the 22nd of August last, relative to the call to the English Bar of New Zealand barristers, I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Standing Joint Committee on the Duties, Interests, and Discipline of the Bar, recording a resolution adopted by the Four Inns of Court in the matter. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosures. Sir, — Treasurer's Office, Inner Temple, 16th March, 1903. , I beg to return herewith the copy of " The Law Practitioners Act, 1882 " (New Zealand), and regulations thereunder, which you forwarded on the Ist July, 1902, for the information of the Standing Joint Committee on the Duties, Interests, and Discipline of the Bar. The following is a copy of the resolution adopted by the Four Inns of Court thereon : — " That, inasmuch as facilities for joining the English Bar have always been confined to those colonies where the professions of barrister and of attorney and solicitor have been kept distinct and that when such facilities have been granted to a colony where the said professions were kept distinct they have been withdrawn when the two professions have been amalgamated: And whereas it appears that in the Colony of New Zealand the same persons may and do practise as barristers and solicitors and attorneys, according to the rules and legal procedure of the said colony, the committee are of opinion that the facilities for joining the English Bar, requested by the Law Society of New Zealand, cannot be granted. " The committee recommend that no alteration be made in the practice hitherto adopted, and that the application of the New Zealand Law Society be not complied with." I am, &c, H. W. Lawrence, Secretary of the Standing Joint Committee. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office.

No 6. (Honours.) My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist May, 1903. At the request of Garter Sir Albert W. Woods, X.C.8., K.C.M.G., I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith the Warrants, granting to Colonel Richard Hutton Davies, Colonel Stuart Newall, and Colonel Alfred William Robin, the honour of Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, together with the appropriate insignia; and I have to request that you will be good enough to forward the same to these gentlemen at the earliest opportunity, inviting them to return the form of receipt, which is also enclosed in each case, direct to Sir Albert Woods. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.