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No. 7. New Zealand, Dominions No. 3. Sir, — Downing Street, 2nd January, 1926. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 527, of the 15th December, 1 have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a circular to His Majesty's Consuls abroad regarding the precedence of consular officers in relation to officers of the fightingservices. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Precedence of Consular Officers in relation to Officers of Fighting Services. Sir, — Foreign Office, 17th December, 1925. I am directed by Secretary Sir Austen Chamberlain to enclose herewith a schedule embodying changes which have recently been made in the precedence of Consuls-General and Consuls in relation to officers of His Majesty's Naval, Military and Air Forces. 2. I am to request that you will make the necessary amendments in Chapter II of the Consular Instructions, and to point out that the advancement of Consuls-General in the table of precedence entitles them to a salute of thirteen instead of eleven guns. I am, &c., W. TYRRELL. Consuls-General rank with, but after Rear-Admirals ; Major-Generals ; Air-Vice Marshalls. Consuls rank with, but after Captains, R.N. ; Colonels'; Group Captains in the Air Force. Vice-Consuls rank with, but after Lieutenant-Commanders ; Majors ; Squadron Leaders in the Air Force. Consular Agents rank with, but after Lieutenants, R.N. ; Captains in the Army ; Flight Lieutenants.

No. 8. New Zealand, No. 3. Sir, — Downing Street, 2nd January, 1926. With reference to my despatch, No. 191, of the 20th October, 1925, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter from His Highness the Maharaj Rana of Jhalawar, expressing his gratitude for the great kindness and hospitality extended to him during his recent tour in Australia and New Zealand. 1 have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Govern or-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. My Esteemed Friend, — Prithvi Vilas Palace, Jhalarapatan, 29th October, 1925. As I have now returned to my State from my tour, I desire to take the earliest opportunity of asking you to be good enough to convey to His Excellency, and through His Excellency to the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, the deep sense of gratitude that I feel for the great kindness and hospitality which, as a result of His Excellency's efforts on my behalf, were extended to me throughout my recent tour. The Australian and New Zealand Governments were kind enough to place transport facilities at my disposal, and not only were I and my party provided with free railway passes over all the railways of both countries in special saloons, but motor transport on several occasions was also supplied. In this connection I would ask that my special thanks be conveyed to the Railway Commissioners of the Several States through which I travelled for the very excellent arrangement which were made by them for my comfort. I feel also very deeply indebted to the Governor-General and the State Governors of the Commonwealth for their great kindness in making me their guest at the different capitals that I visited, and to the Governor-General of New Zealand for similar hospitality and kindness in New

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