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Ministers, that the ratifications of the Additional Convention of the 30th March, 1914, to the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Reciprocal Establishment between the United Kingdom and Switzerland were duly exchanged on the 12th July. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 40. New Zealand. —Miscellaneous. My Lord,— Downing Street, 24th July, 1915. I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the Lords Commis- 1 sioners of the Admiralty have intimated that His Majesty the King has been pleased to confer the Royal Naval Reserve Officers' Decoration upon Senior Engineer Alfred D. Varian, R.N.R., who is at present serving in the New Zealand Training Ship " Amokura." 2. As there is no likelihood of the officer being in this country at an early date, the Lords Commissioners have requested that you will be so good as to present the decoration, which is enclosed herewith, to Mr. Varian in a formal manner when an opportunity offers, and that you will obtain his receipt for transmission to them through this office in due course. 3. I shall be glad if you can conveniently arrange to give effect to their Lordships' wishes. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

A.-1, 1915, No. 33. [ [

No. 41. New Zealand, No. 414. My Lord, — Downing Street, 31st July, 1915. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 43, of the 29th January last, I have the honour to transmit, to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a notice issued by the Board of Trade a change in the sight-tests used in the examination of candidates for certificates of competency as master or mate in the mercantile marine. 2. Copies of the notice have been sent by the Hoard to the authorities responsible for the examination of masters and mates in New Zealand. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Sight Tests in Mercantile Marine and Fishing Service. The Board of Trade have decided to discontinue the use of the who] test in the examination of candidates in the sight tests on and after the Ist January, ll)l('). ERNEST 0. MOOGHIDGE, Marine Department, Board of Trade, June, 1915. Assistant Secretary.

No. 42. New Zealand, No. 425. My Lord, — Downing Street, sth August, 1915. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 467, of the 22nd October, 1914, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your

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