A.—l

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No. 56. New Zealand, No. 7. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 28th January, 1910. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that my Ministers desire that the Japanese Government may be informed that Ayrshire cattle are purchaseable in this Dominion. 2. I enclose a copy of a memorandum received from my Prime Minister on this subject. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 26th January, 1910. Memorandum (or His Excellene\' the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and begs to acquaint His Excellency that a statement lias appeared in the local papers to the effect that the Japanese are proposing to buy some Ayrshire cattle, and as some (if the New Zealand breeders are in a position to supply animals of this kind, it is thought desirable that this fact should be made known to the Government of Japan. Sir Joseph Ward therefore desires that the Governor will, through the Secretary of State for the Colonies, take the necessary action to enable the Japanese Government to be in possession of this information, and in doing so it might be stated that the prices of good Ayrshire stock in New Zealand are as follows: — Yearling bulls ... ... .... ... ... ... £10 to £20 Two-year-old bulls ... ... ... ... ... ... £15 ~ £30 Two-year-old heifers ... ... ... ... ... £7 ~ £15 Three-year-old heifers in calf ... ... ... ... £10 ~ £20 Young"cows in calf ... ... ... ... ... £12 ~ £25 The time most suitable for shipping from New Zealand would be February or March, the latter for preference. J. G. Ward, Prime Minister.

No. 57. New Zealand, No. 8. My Lord,- Government House, Wellington, 30th January, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 192, of the 29th October, transmitting copies of a revised edition of the regulations concerning the examination of masters ancl mates in the mercantile marine. 2. The New Zealand regulations will be altered, as soon as an opportunity arises, so as to conform to the alterations made by the Board of Trade. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 84.

No. 58. New Zealand, No. 10. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd February, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 205, of the 19th November, on the subject of the proposed Money-order Convention between France and New Zealand. 2. My Ministers will be glad if arrangements may be made for ratification to be exchanged. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.—2, 1910, No. 95.