DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1895 Session I, A-02

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1895. NEW ZEALAND.

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

INDEX.

No. 1. (Circular.) Sib,— Downing Street, 21st May, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your Government, a copy of an Order of Her Majesty the Queen in Council, dated the 30th April, 1894, for giving effect to the treaty between Her Majesty and His Majesty the King of Eoumania for the mutual extradition of fugitive criminals, signed, at Bucharest on the 21st of March, 1893, the ratifications of which were exchanged at Bucharest on 13th March, 1894. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government of EIPON. New Zealand. [For enclosure see New Zealand Gazette, 9th August, 1894, p. 1264.] I—A. 2.

No. of Series. Date. Subject. Page. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 18 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 21 May, 1894 .. 25 June, „ 18 Juno, „ 22 June, 23 June, „ 25 June, „ 27 June, 27 June, 18 July, „ .. 22 Aug., 23 Aug., 25 Aug., „ .. 28 Aug., „ .. 5 Sept., 6 Dec, „ 13 Dec, „ .. 29 Dec, 7 Jan., 1895 .. 11 Jan., „ 18 Jan., „ 26 Jan., „ 20 Feb., „ .. Extradition treaty with Bournania Copyright Convention, Austria-Hungary Volunteer officers'decorations extended to colonies Irish-cured mackerel .. .. .. .. .. .. Medals for Volunteer officers'decorations Birth of a son to H.B.H. the Duchess of York Visit of Governor to Cook Islands Position of British Eesident, Cook Islands Assassination of French President Addresses from Legislature congratulating, on birth of son, Duke and Duchess of York.. Decorations for meritorious and long service to colonial forces .. Number of divorces granted during last ten years wanted Information wanted as to Publio Trustee Martini-Henry rifles Appointment of Bear-Admiral Cyprian A. G. Bridge Ottawa Conference .. .. .. Commissions in the army for sons of officers domiciled in colonies Position of British Eesident, Cook Islands Sale of English military uniforms in colonies Appointment of Lieut.-Colonel P. J. Eox as Military Adviser Acts of 1894 left to their operation Copyright Convention, Austria-Hungary: Order in Council 1 2 2 3 4 i 4 5 5 5 6 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 11 II 12 12

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No. 2. (Circular.) Sib, —■ Downing Street, sth June, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your Government, a copy of Convention between Great Britain and Austria-Hungary for the establishment of international copyright, which was signed at Vienna on the 24th April, 1893, and of which the ratifications were exchanged on 14th April, 1894. I have also to enclose a copy pf the Order of Her Majesty in Council, which was issued on the 30th April last, for giving effect to the provisions of the Convention. I have to draw your attention to Article IX. of the Convention, from which you will observe that if it is desired that the stipulations of the Convention should be made applicable to the colony under your Government, notice to that effect must be given to Her Majesty's representative at the Court of Vienna within two years from the date of the exchange of the ratifications. I shall be glad to be informed at an early date whether your Government would wish the Convention and Order in Council to be applied to the colony under your Government. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government of EIPON.' New Zealand. [For enclosure see Neiv Zealand Gazette, loth May, 1895, p. 804.]

No. 3. (Circular.) Sib, — Downing Street, 18th June, 1894. I have much pleasure in informing you that Her Majesty has been pleased to approve of the extension of the Volunteer officers' decoration to officers of Volunteer Forces in the colonies. I enclose copies of the Eoyal Warrant instituting the decoration and prescribing the conditions under which it is to be granted, together with copies of the Eoyal Warrant extending the grant to officers serving in colonial Forces. It will- be observed that the power of conferring this decoration is to be exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the Governor of the colony in which the officer shall have served, and that the name of the officer to whom the decoration is awarded is to be published in the official Gazette of the colony. In any colony in which the decoration is given it will be necessary to keep a register with the names of the officers on whom it is decided to confer the decoration, and a statement of the services in respect of which it is conferred. The decoration will be similar to that given to Volunteer officers in this country, with the exception that the Eoyal cipher will be V.E.I, instead of V.E., and the cost of the issue will fall on the colonial Governments concerned. The supply of decorations in this country is obtained from Messrs. Garrard, 25, Haymarket, S.W.; and, in order to insure uniformity of pattern and quality, it will be desirable for colonial Governments to obtain the decorations from that firm. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government of EIPON. New Zealand.

Enclosures. Extension of the Volunteee Officers' Decoeation Waeeant to the Colonies and India. Victoria E.I. Whereas by our Eoyal Warrant of the twenty-fifth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two, we were graciously pleased tc institute a new decoration for the purpose of rewarding the long and meritorious services of officers of proved capacity in our Volunteer Forces in Great Britain : And whereas it has been represented to us by our Principal Secretary of State for War, on the recommendation of our Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, acting on behalf of the several Governments of our colonies, and of our Principal Secretary of State for India in Council, that the extension of the grant of this decoration for long service to our Volunteer Forces throughout our Empire would be highly valued by them : Now, to attain this end, we have extended, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do extend, the grant of this decoration to the officers of the Volunteer Forces throughout

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our Empire, under the same terms and conditions as those on which it is granted to officers in our Volunteer Force by our Eoyal Warrant of the twenty-fifth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two, except that in the case of India eighteen years' service shall be the qualifying period :• Provided always that the power of conferring the decoration upon an officer, or of removing the name of an officer from the registry of individuals upon whom the said decoration shall have been conferred, shall be exercised on our behalf, with the same force as if exercised by us, by the Governor-General of India, the Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada, or by the Governor of the colony or dependency, according as such officer shall have served in a Volunteer Force of India or of such colony or dependency, and the name of an officer so granted the decoration or removed from the registry shall be published in the official gazette of India or of the said colony or dependency as the case may be. And we do further ordain that officers who have given qualifying service in the Volunteer Forces of any portion of our Empire shall be entitled to reckon such service as part of the qualifying service required for this decoration. And we reserve to ourself, our heirs and successors, full power of altering, annulling, abrogating, augmenting, interpreting, or dispensing with these regulations, or any part thereof, by a notification under the Eoyal Sign-manual. Given at our Court at Balmoral, this twenty-fourth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-four, in the fifty-seventh year of our reign. By Her Majesty's command. H. Campbell-Banneeman. War Office, 29th July, 1892. The Volunteer Officers' Decoration Warrant. Victoria E. Victoria, by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith. To all to whom theso presents shall come, greeting : Whereas it is our Eoyal desire to reward the long and meritorious services of officers of proved capacity in our Volunteer Force : Now, for the purpose of attaining this end, we have instituted, constituted, and created, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do institute, constitute, and create a new decoration, which we are desirous should be highly prized by the officers of our Volunteer Force; and we are, graciously pleased to make, ordain, and establish the following rules and ordinances for the govern- 1 ment of the same, which shall from henceforth be observed and kept : — Firstly, it is ordained that the decoration shall be styled and designated " The Volunteer Officers' Decoration," and shall consist of an oak wreath in silver tied with gold, having in the centre the Eoyal cipher and crown in gold. Secondly, it is ordained that the decoration shall be suspended from the left breast by a green riband of one inch and a half in width from a silver oak bar-brooch. Thirdly, it is ordained that the decoration may be worn by us, our heirs and successors, Kings and Queens regnant of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; and it shall be competent for us, our heirs and successors, to confer the decoration upon any of the Princes of the Eoyal Family of Great Britain and Ireland. Fourthly, it is ordained that no person shall be eligible for this decoration, nor be nominated thereto, unless he is or was a commissioned officer, and has served twenty years in our Volunteer Force, is recommended by the commanding officer of the corps in which he has served, and is duly certified by the district military authorities in which the corps is located as having been an efficient and thoroughly capable officer, in every way deserving of such a decoration : Provided, nevertheless,' and we do hereby declare, that half of any time during which an officer of our Volunteer Force may have served in the ranks of our said Force shall reckon as qualifying service towards the twenty years required as aforesaid. Fifthly, it is ordained that the names of those upon whom we may be pleased to confer the decoration shall be published in the London Gazette, and a registry thereof kept in the office of our Principal Secretary of State for War. Sixthly, in order to make such additional provision as shall effectually preserve pure this most honourable distinction, it is ordained that if any person on whom it shall be conferred be convicted of any act derogatory to his honour as an officer and gentleman, his name shall forthwith be erased from the registry of individuals upon whom the said decoration shall have been conferred by an order from us under our Eoyal Sign-manual, and a notification thereof shall be duly published in the London Gazette. Bastly, we reserve to ourselves, our heirs and successors, full power of annulling, altering,abrogating, augmenting, interpreting, or dispensing with these regulations, or any part thereof, by a notification under our Eoyal Sign-manual. Given at our Court at Osborne, the twenty-fifth day of July, in the fifty-sixth year of our reign, and in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two. By Her Majesty's command. Edward Stanhope.

No. 4. (No. 27.) My Loed,— Downing Street, 22nd June, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the consideration of your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Office of Irish Fisheries, inquiring whether

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there is any opening for the Irish cured-mackerel trade in the colony under your Government; and I request that I may be furnished with information on the subject. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure. Sir,— Office of Irish Fisheries, Dublin Castle, 13th June, 1894. , The Inspector of Irish Fisheries, having had under consideration the question of the best means of developing the Irish cured-mackerel trade by opening up other markets, would feel obliged if the Secretary of State for the Colonies would cause inquiries to be made at Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, and Capetown as to whether they would be likely to afford an opening for the Irish trade in this branch of the industry, and what steps could be suggested to further this object. The importance of the matter depends upon the fact that the United States of America offer the only outlet at present for Irish cured mackerel, and in the event of a revival of the American mackerel fishery this trade would be destroyed. Owing to the steps that have been taken to secure a better system of fish-curing in this country, Irish mackerel can now maintain their place in the market, the fish being well cured and securely packed (two hundred to three hundred to the barrel) in barrels similar to those used for herrings. The Inspectors, in co-operation with the Congested Districts Board for Ireland, would be prepared to arrange for the despatch of suitable samples to firms of good standing in the places named. This class of goods is not ready for despatch before August in each year, the curing season lasting from about the first of that month to the middle or end of the November following. The prices obtained in America are from 10 dollars to 25 dollars a barrel, according to quality and state of the market. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. M. P. Dowling, Secretary.

No. 5. Sib, — Downing Street, 23rd June, 1894. With reference to my circular despatch of 18th instant, I have the honour to inform you that an arrangement has been made with Messrs. Garrard, 25, Haymarket, S.W., to supply the Volunteer officers' decoration to colonial Governments, complete, in cases, at the price of £1 for each decoration. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government of EIPON. New Zealand.

No. 3.

No. 6. (Circular.) Sib, — Downing Street, 25th June, 1894. It is my pleasing duty to announce to you that on Saturday, the 23rd instant, at ten o'clock p.m., Her Eoyal Highness the Duchess of York was safely delivered of a prince. Her Eoyal Highness and the infant prince are doing well. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government of EIPON. New Zealand.

No. 7. (New Zealand, No. 28.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 27th June, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 8, of the 20th of April last, reporting your visit to the Cook Islands. I have read your report with interest, and I approve of the replies which you returned to the petitions sent to you from the people of Eaiatea and Huahine. I shall communicate "with you in a subsequent despatch on the question of the jurisdiction over the Cook Group to which you allude in your despatch. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1894, No. 26,

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No. 8. (No. 29.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 27th June, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 61, a.-i, i 89 4: of the 26th of December last, enclosing copies of a correspondence with the High NO, 21, Commissioner for the Western Pacific in regard to the position of the Cook Group of islands, and to the question as to whether the authority of the Court of the High Commissioner extends to the group. On the latter point I have to acquaint you that I share the view expressed by Sir John Thurston in his despatch to you of the 12th of October last— namely, that under the Pacific Order in Council of 1893 the jurisdiction of the High Commissioner's Court does extend to the Cook Group, for the reasons which he sets forth in that despatch, and the jurisdiction of that Court is concurrent with and does not oust any jurisdiction possessed by the local Courts. As to the question of transferring to the High Commissioner the control of the British Eesident at Earotonga, a step upon the expediency of which I observe that Sir John Thurston, yourself, and your Ministers are agreed, I should be glad to be informed whether it is contemplated that in the event of such transfer of authority being made the Government of New Zealand would continue to defray the expense of the Eesident's salary. On learning that your Government are prepared to continue to provide the Eesident's salary, I shall be prepared to further consider this question with the view, if possible, of meeting the wishes of yourself and of your Ministers in the matter. It would, however, be convenient that I should receive, for record in this department, a formal statement by your Ministers of their views upon this matter. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 9. My Loed, — Downing Street, 18th July, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a letter which has been addressed by M. Hanotaux to Her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris, conveying the acknowledgments of Madame Carnot and of the French Government of the expressions of sympathy received from the British Colonies on the occasion of the assassination of the President of the French Eepublic. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c. Enclosure. Monsieur l'Ambassadeur, — Paris, le 30 Juin, 1894. Votre Excellence ma fait l'honneur de me transmettre un certain nombre de telegrammes et de lettres 6manant dcs colonies anglaises, de plusieurs autorites provinciales et communales, de la Societe dcs Ingenieurs Civils, et dcs maires dcs Cinq Ports, de Eye et Hastings, gui tous expriment leur profonde indignation pour l'odieux attentat dont Monsieur le President Carnot a etc victime. Je n'ai conformement au dosir de voire Excellence de faire part a Madame Carnot de ces nouveaux temoignages de sympathie auxquels elle a etc tres-sensible. J'en ai donne connaissance egalement aux membres dv Gouvernment de la Eepublique. En leur norn, comme en mon norn personnel, je prie votre Excellence d'assurer tous ceux dont elle a bien voulu se faire l'interprete de nos sentiments de reconnaissance. Agreez, &c, G. Hanotaux.

No. 10. (No. 40.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 22nd August, 1894. I received your despatch, No. 26, of the 2nd July, and duly laid before a.-i, 1894, the Queen the address which it enclosed from the Legislative Council of New No - 36, Zealand, containing congratulations on the birth of the son to their Eoyal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York.

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I am commanded by Her Majesty to request that you will convey to the Legislative Council an expression of her sincere thanks for their loyal congratulations. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 11. Sic, — Downing Street, 23rd August, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, extract from a joint letter, which was addressed to me by the Agents-General for the Australasian Colonies and the Cape of Good Hope, relative to the proposed issue of medals for meritorious service, for distinguished conduct, and for long service to the local Forces in the colonies, to be bestowed by the Queen's Eepresentative in each colony, together with copies of the subsequent correspondence wdrich has passed between this department and the War Office on the subject. It will be observed that a Eoyal Warrant has been signed by Her Majesty authorising the grant of these decorations to colonial Forces under regulations to be framed similar, as far as circumstances permit, to those now existing for the regular Forces, and that the colonial Governments should frame regulations accordingly, to be first submitted by me for the consideration of the Secretary of State for War, in order to secure as far as possible the desired uniformity. It will 'further be observed that the medals will be issued by the Imperial Government as recommended by the Agents-General, and that it is suggested that, when the proper time arrives, applications by the colonial Governments for medals should be made through the Agents-General to the Commissary-General of Ordnance, Woolwich. I take this opportunity of informing you that colonial Volunteers who are not included in the colonial Forces above referred to will nevertheless be eligible for the Volunteer long-service medal recently instituted for Volunteers in this country, and that your Government will be at liberty to frame regulations similar to those contained in the enclosed army order, providing for the grant of this decoration in the colony under your Government. I have, &c, EIPON. The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand. Enclosures. Westminster Chambers, 9 Victoria Street, Westminster, Sir,— 22nd March, 1893. Eeferring to the circular letter, dated 10th May last, addressed to us individually, enclosing copies of correspondence between the War Office and your department relative to the proposal for the issue of medals for meritorious service and for long service and good conduct to the local Forces in the colonies, in which we were invited, on behalf of our several Governments, to adapt the regulations of the War Office to the circumstances of the colonial Forces, we have the honour to inform you that, after fully considering the matter, and the points in connection therewith raised by our respective Governments, we have agreed to request, that the War Office may be moved to recommend that the medals for the colonies shall be applicable to the colonial Forces, and shall be issued under regulations identical, as far as possible, with those now existing for the regular army, and that such medals shall be bestowed by the Queen's Eepresentative in each colony upon men who have served long and meritoriously in the local Forces of each colony ; but that that portion of the regulations which provides for the award of gratuities together with the medal shall not apply to the colonies, but that powers may be reserved for the Governor in Council of any colony to grant such gratuities as shall be advised. In view of the strong opinion expressed by Her Majesty's Secretary of State for War, that the period of service should not be relaxed in the case of colonial troops, we do not propose to press that question further at the present time. We have decided to recommend to our Governments that it is desirable that all the medals should be issued by the Imperial Government, as, in our opinion, a medal issued in the colonies would not be so highly valued as a medal struck and issued by the Imperial Government. Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales. E. Braddon, Agent-General for Tasmania. James E. Garrick, Agent-General for Queensland. Westby B. Percival, Agent-General for New Zealand. J. C. Bray, Agent-General for South Australia. Malcolm Feasee, Agent-General for Western Australia. A. Claeke, Agent-General for Victoria. The Eight Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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Colonial Office to Wae Office. Sic, — Downing Street, 4th September, 1893. With reference to the letter from this department of the 18th October, 1892, and to the reply from the War Office of the 4th January last, relating to the proposed issue of the medals for meritorious service, and for long service and good conduct, to the local Forces in the colonies, I am directed by the Marquis of Eipon to transmit to you, to be laid before Mr. Secretary CampbellBannerman, copies of letters received on this subject from the Agents-General for the Australasian Colonies, and from the High Commissioner for Canada, who have deliberated upon this question in compliance with the suggestion of the Secretary of State. It will be observed that the AgentsGeneral recommend, and that the High Commissioner for Canada concurs in the recommendation, that the medals for the colonies shall be applicable to the colonial Forces, and shall be issued under regulations identical as far as possible with those now existing for the regular army, and that such medals shall be bestowed by the Queen's representative in each colony upon men who have served long and meritoriously in the local Forces of each colony; but that that portion of the regulations which provides for the award of gratuities together with the medal shall not apply to the colonies, but that powers may be reserved for the Governor in Council of any colony to grant such gratuities as he shall be so advised. Mr. Campbell-Bannerman will see that it is proposed that the medals should be issued by the Imperial Government. lam to state that Lord Eipon agrees in the views expressed by the AgentsGeneral, and he desires me to suggest that it would be the most convenient course if Mr. CampbellBannerman concurs also in their views, and that a recommendation should now be made to the Queen to authorise the grant of these medals by Her Majesty's Eepresentatives in colonies having a permanently embodied military force, in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty, under regulations as far as possible identical with those now existing for the regular army, or as may be at any time approved by the Secretary of State for War; the medals to be issued by the Imperial Government, their cost being borne by the colony concerned. Lord Eipon thinks it advisable that the recommendation to Her Majesty on this matter should be made by the Secretary of State for War, rather than by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, as technicalities may be involved which can better be dealt with at the War Office; and he is of opinion that the recommendation should be in general terms, as suggested above, without particular colonies being named, in order to admit in the future of any other colony having a permanent Force coming into the arrangement—such, for instance, as the Cape of Good Hope, from which colony no representation has yet been received, although it is understood that the Agent-General for the Cape took part in the deliberations on the matter. It will be seen that the Agents-General differ from the view expressed by Mr. Secretary Campbell-Bannerman, in War Office letter of 4th January last, in regard to the question of the issue of the medals by the Imperial authorities. On this point Lord Eipon desires to indorse the views of the Agents-General, and to urge that they may receive the favourable consideration of the Secretary of State for War. His Lordship is of opinion that greater value will be attached to the medals by those upon whom they are conferred if the medals are issued by the Imperial Government, and he thinks that this feeling should be encouraged as much as possible, as it tends to strengthen the ties between the colonies and the Mother-country. Lord Eipon would be glad if Mr. Secretary Campbell-Bannerman would be so good as to cause the necessary steps to be taken in the matter, if he should agree in the views expressed in this letter. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, War Office. Edward Fairfield. Victoria E.I. Wheeeas it is our desire to grant medals for meritorious service for distinguished conduct and for long service, under regulations similar, as far as circumstances permit, to those now existing for our regular Forces, to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of our Indian Forces and of our colonial Forces. It is hereby ordained that such medals shall be issued to our said Indian and colonial Forces under such regulations as may from time to time be recommended by the Governor-General of India, the Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada, or the Governors of the other colonies of our Empire, and approved by our Secretary of State. Given at our Court at Balmoral, this twenty-fourth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-four, in the fifty-seventh year of our reign. By Her Majesty's command. H. Campbell Banneeman.

No. 12. Sib,-— Downing Street, 25th August, 1894. I have the honour to inform you that an address has been presented by the House of Commons to Her Majesty for a return of the number of divorces granted in each of the British colonies and possessions in each year during the past ten years, and I have to request that you will be good enough to furnish me at your earliest convenience with a memorandum giving the information desired in this return, so far as it relates to the colony under your Government. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON of New Zealand.

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No. 13

(No. 42.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 28th August, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you herewith, for communication to your Government, a copy of an address to Her Majesty from the House of Commons, asking that there may be laid before the House a return of any State regulations in force in the colonies named to secure the honest administration of trusts ; and as to the office and remuneration of a Public Trustee. I shall be obliged if you will move your Ministers to supply the information desired by the House of Commons so far as the colony under your Government is concerned, so as to enable the returns to be laid upon the Table of the House, if possible, at the commencement of the next session of Parliament. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 14. (No. 44.) My Loed, — Downing Street, sth September, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, with reference to your despatch, No. 13, of the 12th of May last, a copy of the undermentioned document, respecting the question of the supply to New Zealand of Martini-Henry rifles. I have, &c, E. M. MEADE, For the Secretary of State. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. Date. Description o£ Document. 29th August, 1894 ... ... ... War Office to Colonial Office.

Enclosure. Sic,— War Office, Pall Mall, S.W., 29th August, 1894. With reference to your letter of the 26th June last, transmitting a copy of a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand with a memorandum from the Premier suggesting that the Government of the colony should be allowed to obtain, at a reasonable price, five thousand or more MartiniHenry rifles from this department, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of the Marquis of Eipon, that the Martini-Henry rifle is still the arm of a considerable portion of the auxiliary forces, and that the number available for disposal is very limited, but that used serviceable arms could be supplied at three-quarter rates, or new (Mark IV.) could be supplied at full Vocabulary rates. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Ealph Thompson.

No. 15. (No. 54.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 6th December, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of a letter from the Admiralty reporting the appointment of Eear-Admiral C. A. G. Bridge as Commander-in-Chief on the Australian station. Eear-Admiral Bridge has just completed a term of service as Director of Naval Intelligence at the Admiralty, in which capacity he has represented that Board at the deliberations of the Colonial Defence Committee, and is consequently able, and will no doubt be willing, to give your Government any advice which they may desire to receive from him in matters of defence. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

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Enclosure. Sir,— _ Admiralty, 29th November, 1894. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will state to the Secretary of State for the Colonies that Eear-Admiral Cyprian A. G. Bridge has been appointed to succeed Vice-Admiral N. Bowden-Smith as Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's ships and vessels on the Australian station, and that he left England by the mail of the 23rd instant. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Evan MacGregor.

No. 16. (No. 56.) My Loed,— Downing Street, 13th December, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, copies of a parliamentary paper containing the Earl of Jersey's report on the Ottawa Conference, with the proceedings of the Conference and certain correspondence. The business of the Conference appears to me to have been conducted in an admirable spirit of harmony and good-will, and the discussions were characterized by ability and clearness. The proceedings are calculated to afford just satisfaction to the Governments represented and the British Empire generally, and the delegates are entitled to the thanks of all concerned for the manner in which they discharged the mission intrusted to them. In reviewing the proceedings of the Conference, Her Majesty's Government have received great assistance from Lord Jersey's report, and they will not fail to give full consideration to the resolutions passed and the views expressed by the Conference. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 17. (No. 58.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 29th December, 1894. With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the regulations under which commissions in the army may be obtained by officers of colonial local military forces, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith, for communication to your Government, a copy of a letter from the War Office, from which it will be seen that the Secretary of State for War has approved that, in the absence of any candidate who is the son of a colonist, the sons of officers who are for all practical purposes domiciled in the colonies during their term of service there should be considered eligible for a commission in the Imperial army, under the same conditions which now govern the grant of commissions to those who are bond fide colonists. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure. Sib,— Horse Guards, War Office, Pall Mall, S.W., 17th December, 1894. With reference to previous correspondence respecting the candidature of Lieutenant Tulloch, son of Major-General Tulloch, Commandant of the Military Forces in Victoria, for a commission in the Imperial army, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that, upon a reconsideration of all the circumstances of the case, Mr. Campbell-Bannerman has approved that, in the absence of any candidate who is the son of a colonist, the sons of officers who are for all practical purposes domiciled in the colonies during their term of service there should be considered eligible for a commission in the Imperial army under the same conditions which now govern the grant of commissions to those who are bond fide colonists. I have, &c, Ealph Thompson. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. 2—A. 2.

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No. 18. (New Zealand, No. 2.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 7th January, 1895. I have had under my consideration your despatch, No. 44, of the 20th of September, and the previous correspondence in which your Government asks that the position of the Eesident in the Cook Islands should be more clearly denned. 2. It will be within the recollection of your Ministers that the question of a British protectorate over this group was first raised by the Queen of Earotonga in her interview with Mr. Ballance, as reported in Sir W. Jervois's despatch, No. 754, of the sth December, 1885; that the subject remained in abeyance for some time, until Sir W. Jervois, in his despatch, No. 44, of the 21st May, 1888, forwarded a petition from the Queen formally praying the Government of New Zealand to aid in obtaining the extension of Her Majesty's protection to the group. The protectorate was proclaimed later in the year; and on the 16th of April, 1889, my predecessor, after correspondence respecting the appointment of a Consular Officer at the expense of New Zealand, which had no result, inquired, in a telegram dated the 17th of April, 1889, whether the colonial Government would pay the salary of the Eesident if selected by them; and Lord Onslow telegraphed on the 4th November, 1889, that the colonial Government agreed, on these conditions, to submit a vote to the Legislature. This vote was subsequently passed, " on the understanding that fie Government of the " colony should nominate a suitable person for the appointment " (see the Premier's memorandum of the 25th October, 1890, embodied in Lord Onslow's despatch of the 31st of October). 3. This telegraphic communication was followed by a despatch, No. 8, of the Bth of February, 1890, in which Lord Knutsford expressly stated that the Eesident would communicate direct with the Governor of New Zealand, who should in the ordinary course lay all communications from that officer before his Ministers for their advice ; and in a later despatch, of the 13th of December of the same year, written after the selection of Mr. Moss as Eesident, his Lordship observes : "In all cases where regulations or declarations are issued connected " with the affairs of the Cook Group, it would seem fitting that such instruments " should be issued by the local chief or chiefs and countersigned by the repre- " sentative of the New Zealand Government" ; adding that it would devolve on the Government of New Zealand to instruct Mr. Moss to explain the nature of the British protectorate. 4. The instructions issued to Mr. Moss by the Governor of New Zealand contain the following words: "You have not the powers of the High Com- " missioner of the Western Pacific, nor those of the Administrator in New " Guinea. Your position more nearly resembles that of the latter officer, mas"- -" much as you hold your appointment under the Governor of the colony, who " instructs you after consultation with his Advisers." 5. This brief recapitulation and the quotations given above show clearly that it was understood that the Eesident should be directly under the control of the Colonial Government; and it has not been, and is not, the wish of Her Majesty's Government that the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific should interfere in the administrative work of the group, or exercise control over the Eesident. 6. The group is indeed within the geographical limits of the Pacific Order in Council, 1893, and consequently the High Commissioner has the power of making regulations which would extend to it; but Her Majesty's Government would have no objection to instructing him not to exercise those powers so long as New Zealand undertakes the maintenance of the Eesident. 7. There does not, therefore, appear to be any reason why the Governor of New Zealand, acting on the advice of his Ministers, should not settle all questions of administration in the Cook Islands regarding which the Eesident may apply for instructions, without reference to the High Commissioner or to the Secretary of State, except in the special cases referred to in Lord Knutsford's despatch of the Bth of February, 1890, " upon which you consider that Her " Majesty's Government should be consulted before action is taken, and any

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" points with regard to which you may be unable to accept the advice of your " Ministers." 8. You would, of course, keep me informed of any matters of importance that may occur in the islands, and all papers relating to the group which are printed by the New Zealand Government should be forwarded to the Secretary of State, and it would be convenient if copies were also sent to the High Commissioner for his information. 9. It must, however, be understood that in judicial matters the jurisdiction of the High Commissioner's Court will continue in full force, for no other British Court is capable of doing justice in the group; and, although it is not often that occasion will arise for the Court visiting the Cook Islands, cases may from time to time occur, as recently in the case of the " Norval," in which the intervention of a competent Court is distinctly advantageous. 10. It would, indeed, be possible for the jurisdiction of this Court to be vested in the Eesident by giving him the powers of a Deputy Commissioner, and, further, by Order in Council, under section 9 of " The Foreign Jurisdiction Act, 1890," to provide that appeals from the decision of the Eesident as such Deputy Commissioner shall be carried to the Supreme Court of New Zealand, and I shall be glad to learn whether it is the wish of your Government that steps should be taken for giving effect to such arrangement; and whether in that case the prisons of the colony would be available for the reception of prisoners from the Cook Islands, if in any serious cases the Eesident should wish to have the sentence of the Court carried out more effectually than would be possible in the group. Upon this part of the question I would refer you to the 7th section of the Foreign Jurisdiction Act. 11. It will at all times be open to any British residents in the group to take advantage, if they think fit, of the provisions of Part XV. of the Order in Council relating to the registration of births, marriages, and deaths, and to the celebration of marriage in the group. 12. I trust that these explanations and proposals will convince your Government that it is unnecessary for them to withdraw the salary for the Eesident, or, indeed, for any change in the existing arrangement to be made. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

(Circular.) No. 19. Sic, — Downing Street, 11th January, 1895. I have the honour to inform you that my attention has been recently called to the sale of English military uniforms in one of Her Majesty's Crown colonies. These uniforms appear to be sold with all the badges, buttons, and distinctive marks attached to the garments, thereby offering facilities to fraud. The Secretary of State for War, to whom the matter was referred, has invited my attention to " The Uniforms Act, 1894" (a copy of which is enclosed), and I request that you will procure, if possible, the enactment of a similar law by your Government. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand.

(No. 6.) No. 20. My Loed, — Downing Street, 18th January, 1895. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication fo your Government, a copy of a letter from the. War Office, containing inquiries respecting the appointment now held by Lieut.-Colonel F. J. Fox under your Government. I request that you will enable me to furnish the War Office with the information desired. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

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Enclosure. Sir,— War Office, Pall Mall, S.W., 12th January, 1895. I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth instant, notifying that Lieut.-Colonel F. J. Fox, late Eoyal Artillery, who retired from the Imperial army on the 9th May last with a gratuity of £2,000, partly earned by his service as Commandant of the Colonial Forces in New Zealand, has accepted the appointment of Military Adviser to the Government of that colony; and I am to request, with reference to Eules Nos. 2 and 13 of the regulations made by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury under section 6 of the Superannuation Act of 1887, that you will have the goodness to state whether the appointment in question constitutes " employment of profit," and, if so, the emoluments which Lieut.-Colonel Fox receives in respect of such employment. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. H. D. de la Bere.

No. 21. (New Zealand, No. 9.) Downing Street, 26th January, 1895. Intimating that Her Majesty will not be advised to exercise her power of disallowance with respect to the Acts of the Legislature of New Zealand passed in the first session of the Twelfth Parliament, 1894. [For list of Acts see New Zealand Gazette, 4th April, 1895, p. 621.]

No. 22. My Lobd, — Downing Street, 20th February, 1895. With reference to your Lordship's despatch, No. 40, of the 1st September, I have the honour to inform you that the accession of New Zealand to the Copyright Convention between Great Britain and Austria-Hungary, of the 24th April, 1893, was notified to the Austro-Hungarian Government on the 26th October last. I enclose copies of an Order of Her Majesty in Council applying to the colony the provisions of the Order in Council of the 30th April, 1894, giving effect to the convention. I have, &c, BIPON. Governor the Bight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

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(Enclosure.) At the Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, the 2nd day of February, 1895. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. Lord President, Marquis of Eipon, Lord Kensington, Lord Chamberlain, Mr. Cecil Ehodes. Whereas Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, by virtue of the authority committed to her by the International Copyright Acts, 1844 to 1886, and having regard to the provisions of a convention, the ratifications of which were exchanged on the 14th day of April, 1894, between Her Majesty and His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, and Apostolic King of Hungary, was pleased to make an Order in Council, dated the 30th day of April, 1894, providing, amongst other things, that the said convention should, as from the commencement of the said Order, and subject to clause 5 of the said Order, have full effect throughout Her Majesty's dominions: And whereas by clause 5 of the said Order it was provided that the said Order should apply to all the colonies and foreign possessions of Her Majesty excepting to those named in the said clause, but that nevertheless the provisions of the said Order might be applied by further Order to any colonies or foreign possessions named in the said clause on whose behalf notice to the effect indicated in Article IX. of the said convention should be duly given : And whereas the Colonies of Newfoundland, Natal, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and New Zealand, being some of the colonies excepted from the operation of the said Order, have severally expressed a wish that the said convention may be made applicable to them, and the notice required by Article IX. of the said convention has been duly given on behalf of the above-named colonies by Her Majesty's Eepresentative at the Court of His Imperial and Eoyal Apostolic Majesty : Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice of her Privy Council, and by virtue of the authority committed to her by the International Copyright Acts, 1844 to 1886, and of the proviso in clause 5 of the said Order of the 30th day of April, 1894, and Article IX. of the said convention, doth order, and it is hereby ordered, that the provisions of the said Order of the 30th day of April, 1894, shall apply, and the same are applied accordingly, to the following colonies, that is to say : Newfoundland, Natal, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, New Zealand. This Order shall come into operation on and from the date hereof. And the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury are to give the necessary Orders herein accordingly. C. L. Peel. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,330 copies), £8.

Price 6d.] By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9s.