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No. 21. New Zealand, No. 32. My Lord,— Downing Street, 2nd March, 1917. With reference to my despatch, No. 11, of the 30th ultimo, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter which the Admiralty have sent to the Senior Naval Officer, Wellington, respecting the arrangements for the interview and medical examination of candidates for Naval Cadetships, special entry, from the Dominions. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor His Excellency the Right, Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Slß,— 19th February, 1917. I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you that, under the scheme of special entry to Naval Cadetships, particulars of which are enclosed, it is laid down in paragraph 4 that all candidates are to appear before the prescribed Interview Committee and to be medically examined in this country before competing at the literary examination. 2. It has been represented, however, that this rule lends to discourage candidates from the Dominions and colonies, who arc unwilling to conic to London until they know whether they will he allowed to compete at the examination. 3. My Lords have accordingly decided that when conditions become normal candidates from Australia and New Zealand may appear before a Committee which, if circumstances permit, will he composed of the Commander-in-Chief and one other officer, or a committee of officers appointed by him, and which will determine their suitability for entry in the Royal Navy. In the meantime arrangements will be made for their interview and medical examination by the Navy Board, Melbourne, and for the result to be reported to the Admiralty. 4. The Committee should satisfy themselves that the candidate has good intellectual ability and has reached a standard of education which renders him likely to qualify at the examination which will take place in this country. 5. It should be made clear to (he candidate that he must take the risk of failure to qualify at the examination. 6. The names of candidates recommended anil found physically lit are to be reported to the Admiralty. 7. Arrangements should be made for the candidates to be medically examined, if possible, by a Naval Medical Officer. Particulars of the necessary physical qualifications are enclosed, together with a memo, as to the revised standard of eyesight. 8. The competitive examination is held by the Civil Seryice Commissioners early in July each year, the examination this year commencing on the 3rd idem. 9. Applications to compete should be made through the Dominion Government, and should reach the Secretary of the Admiralty noi later than the 3rd June next. I am, &0., W. Graham Gbbbnb.

No. 22. New Zealand, No. 33. My Lord,-— Downing Street, 3rd March, 1917. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 140, of the 9th June last, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that I have been in communication with the Benchers of the Inns of Court regarding the status in this country of King's Counsel of the New Zealand Bar. 2. The matter has now been considered by a Joint Committee of the four Inns of Court, and the Committee has passed the following resolution, which has been adopted by all the Inns : — " Resolved, That the request referred to in the letter of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the 26th August, 1916, that King's Counsel of the New Zealand Bar may be permitted to practise as such at the Bar of England, is one which the Inns of Court have no power to grant. Also, that in the opinion of the Committee Consolidated Regulation No. 43 should be extended

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