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Mr. Fox is a Government officer of twenty-nine years' standing, and a gentleman who will worthily uphold the dignity of the Dominion in his representation at the important Conference The Prime Minister will be glad if His Excellency will advise the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and request him to accredit Mr. Fox to the President of the Congress, Dr. Josef Ritter yon Wolf, Sektions-chef in the i.s. Minister of Interior, Vienna, through the proper authorities. Mr. Fox, who will be accompanied by Mrs. Fox, proceeds direct to Vienna from New Zealand, arriving at destination on 7th June. For Your Excellency's information, I am given to understand that the Commonwealth Government has also requested the British Government to accredit their representative (Mr. G. H. Knibbs) to the President of the Congress. » J. G. Wakd.

No. 4. New Zealand, No. 30. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 12th April, 1909. In reply to your Lordship's despatch, No. 7, of the llth January, I have the honour to inform you that my Government do not propose to be represented at the second International Conference with regard to Leprosy which is to be held at Bergen next August. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 5. New Zealand, No. 31. My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 14th April, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that I am now in a position to reply to your Lordship's despatch, No. 138, of the 14th August, 1908, in which a request was made for a Return of the expenditure on education during the last five years in New Zealand. 2. I enclose herewith a memorandum from my Prime Minister, transmitting a memorandum from the Inspector-General of Schools, to which are attached tables containing the desired information. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosures. N.Z. Prime Minister's Office. 7th April, 1909. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister submits, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, the information asked for in the despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 14th August, 1908 (Government House No. 657/08), consisting of a memorandum by the Inspector-General of Schools and tabulated statements connected therewith. These enclosures as supplied in duplicate. J. G. Ward. G.H. 657/08. Education Department, Wellington, New Zealand, 6th April, 1909. Hon. the Minister of Education. Thf tables here given include a summary of all information of the kind asked for by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in his despatch dated Uth August, 1908; but in order that their force may be fully understood, it is suggested that reference should be made to the tables shown on na/es 6 18 19 20 21 and 22 of the report of the Inspector-General's Visit to Schools, &c, in Europe'and America; also to the regulations and to the reports of the Education Department for 1908 copies of which are sent herewith. ( *- Hogben " v ' ""F" 50 Inspector-General of Schools.