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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1900 Session I, A-02

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1900. 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. (General.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 20th January, 1899. With reference to your Lordship's despatch No. 39, of the sth July, on the subject of the assimilation of the New Zealand law relating to shipping inquiries to that contained in " The Imperial Merchant Shipping Act, 1894," I have the honour to transmit to you, for the consideration of your Government, a copy of a memorandum prepared by the Board of Trade, in which it is suggested that " The Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1877," should be amended in the direction indicated in the memorandum, without waiting until an opportunity offers for the consolidation of the New Zealand Shipping Acts. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.CM.GL, &c.

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No. of Series. Date. Subject. Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 18 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 20 Jan., 1899 7 Feb., „ 10 Feb., „ 10 Feb., „ 2 Maroh, „ 2 March, „ 20 June, „ 12 July, „ 13 July, „ . 28 July, „ 16 Aug., „ 16 Aug., „ 24 Aug., „ 15 Sept., „ 22 Sept., „ 22 Sept., „ 23 Sept., „ 26 Sept., „ 26 Sept., „ 27 Sept., „ 29 Sept., „ 5 Oct., „ 12 Oct., „ 3 Nov., „ 10 Nov., „ 14 Nov., „ " Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1894," Assimilation of New Zealand law to Imperial penny postage " Divorce Act, 1898," New Zealand, Assented to Bankruptcy law : Recognition of title of Trustees of British bankrupts .. Acts of 1898, New Zealand, left to their operation Instruction in Art Schools Appointment of Chief Justice, Cook Islands, as a Judicial Commissioner.. Retirement of Sir James Prendergast from office of Chief Justice University education of Roman Catholics Offer of New Zealand Forces for Samoa Appointment of Sir Robert Stout, K.O.M.G., as Chief Justice Appointments to Legislative Council Appointment of Chief Justioe, Cook Islands, as Judicial Commissioner .. Opening of New Zealand Parliament, 1899 Permission to use Colonial badge in Red Ensign Report on Operation of Old-age Pensions Act Sir James Prendergast to bear the title of " Honourable " Gift of land to the Queen by a Chief of the Cook Islands Trade-marks Convention with Guatemala Treaty of Commerce with Uruguay .. .. ... ., Appointment of Acting British Consul at Samoa, Major Mair Offer of Troops for South Afrioa Twenty-fifth Anniversary of Postal Union, festival at Berne Saluting Stations in Australia and New Zealand Thanks for offer of troops for South Africa State of affairs, Cook Islands 1 2 4 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 11 12 ia 18 14 16 17 17

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Enclosure. In consequence of the amendments to the Merchant Shipping Acts, 1854 and 1862, introduced in 1879, 1882, and 1894, several sections of " The Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1877," are no longer in harmony with Imperial legislation. By "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1876," power was given to the Courts to inquire whenever any ship had stranded on or near the coasts of the United Kingdom, and it was enacted that all the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts 1854 to 1876 should apply to any such inquiry. In 1878 (Ex parte Story, 3 Q.B.D. 166) the question came before the High Court of Justice, and it was held that the power of cancelling or suspending a certificate was not extended by " The Merchant Shipping Act, 1876," and in order to enable the Court to deal with a certificate the case must be brought within the 242 nd section of "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854" — i.e., a ship must have sustained serious damage. In consolidating the various Merchant Shipping Acts, including those of 1854, 1862, and 1876, effect was given to the decision of the High Court, and it will be observed that before the certificate of a master, mate, or engineer can be cancelled or suspended, the Court must find that the loss or abandonment of or serious damage to any ship, or loss of life, has been caused by his wrongful act or default. The Court or tribunal holding an inquiry in a British possession has only the same powers of cancelling or suspending certificates as a Court holding a similar inquiry in the United Kingdom, and in these circumstances if the certificate of the master of the " Euapehu " was an Imperial one, or one of equal validity, on appeal to the High Court in England the suspension would have been held to be invalid. (" Merchant Shipping Act, 1894," sections 102 (h\), 470 (a), 478 (5).) The following sections of the Shipping and Seamen's Act are not in harmony with the provisions of " The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 " :— Section 119 : This section requires an inquiry into incompetency or misconduct to be conducted in the same manner, and with the same powers, in and with which formal investigations into shipping casualties are conducted. The language follows that of section 471 of the Act of 1894, and whilst it implies that Assessors should be appointed, no provision is made for appointing them. Inquiries of this nature are not therefore remitted to Courts of Summary Jurisdiction, but they are invariably held by local Marine Boards with a legal assistance. Nautical Assessors are not therefore required. Section 120 : The words in the latter part of subsection (5) of section 242 of " The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854," were repealed by " The Colonial Inquiries Act, 1882," and confirmation by the Governor of a report or sentence of a Court is no longer required. Section 122 : A master, mate, or engineer, is not required to deliver up his certificate until it has been cancelled or suspended. Section 237 : The jurisdiction conferred upon the Court is not fully set out as in section 478 of the Merchant Shipping Act. Section 240: The Court should be required to send a full report with the evidence to the Board of Trade. Section 241 : When a formal investigation into a shipping casualty involves, or appears likely to involve, any question as to the cancelling or suspension of the certificate of a master, mate, or engineer, it is desirable that provision should be made for the appointment of not less than two Assessors having experience in the merchant service. Section 243: A master, mate, or engineer, is not now required to deliver up his certificate until it has been cancelled or suspended. Section 244 : The confirmation of the report or sentence by the Governor is not required. Having regard to the fact that the provisions above referred to apply to certificates of competency granted by the Board of Trade and British possessions under the provisions of "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894," it appears to be necessary to amend the sections above referred to in order to give effect to the provisions of the latter statute based upon the decision before referred to. The fact that the jurisdiction of Courts of inquiry, in regard to cancelling or suspending certificates, may be exercised over all certificates of competency granted under " The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894," tends to show that it is important to amend those sections of the Shipping and Seamen's Act above referred to, so as to bring them into harmony with the provisions of Imperial legislation at the earliest opportunity in order to avoid appeals upon technical grounds from the decisions of the Courts. The Board of Trade would therefore urge that, if possible, effect may be given to" the suggestions contained in Mr. Murton's memorandum in regard to those inquiries without waiting until an opportunity offers for the consolidation of the New Zealand Shipping Acts.

No. 2. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 7th February, 1899. Adverting to the Conference on postage within the British Empire, which was held in London in June and July last, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, the accompanying copy of a Treasury warrant, dated the 22nd of December, 1898, containing a list of those British possessions and protectorates which adopted the Imperial penny letterrate per Joz. on Christmas Day, to which list the Protectorate of Zanzibar should now be added-

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The Cape Government, though accepting the principle of an Imperial penny postage rate, have postponed adopting it pending a settlement of the apportionment of the mail subsidy as between this country and that colony. It is hoped that a settlement may be shortly arrived at, and that the adhesion of Jamaica, Malta, and Mauritius will follow before long. The warrant also extends to officers on board Her Majesty's ships the privilege already accorded to seamen of posting letters on board ship at the penny rate, such letters being despatched in closed mails only. And I enclose a copy of instructions which have been issued by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with a view to preventing the abuse of this privilege by the posting on board Her Majesty's ships of letters from persons not entitled to the privilege. I have only to add, in conclusion, that it would be a matter of much gratification to Her Majesty's Government to see the whole British Empire included in the Imperial penny postal arrangement, and an impetus thus given to mutual intercourse between the different members of the Empire, which would quicken and strengthen that community of feeling and interest which now binds them together. I am addressing a similar despatch to the Governors of the other Australasian Colonies, and am communicating copies of the despatch to the AgentsGeneral of the Australasian Colonies in this country who represented their Governments at the London Conference. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure No. 1. Statutory Eulbs and Oedbes, 1898 (No. 1113). Post Office (Foreign and Colonial Post). —The Foreign and Colonial Post (Amendment No. 3) Warrant, 1898; dated 22nd December, 1898. We, the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, in exercise of all powers given to us by the Post Office Acts, or any of them, and of all other powers enabling us in this behalf, do, by this warrant, made on the representation of Her Majesty's Postmaster-General (testified by his signing the same), order, direct, and declare as follows: — 1. This warrant shall be read as one with the Foreign and Colonial Post Warrant, 1892 (hereinafter referred to as " the principal warrant "), and all warrants amending the same. 2. (1.) On every British letter there shall be charged and paid (in lieu of the rates of postage payable under the principal warrant) the following rates, that is to say :— On every letter not exceeding f oz. in weight, Id. On every letter exceeding -J oz. in weight, for every \ oz. or fractional part of \ oz., Id. (2.) A British letter means and includes — (a.) An outgoing letter posted in the United Kingdom for transmission to any country or place specified in the schedule hereto, or to any of Her Majesty's ships of war, whether on the high seas or in any port or place outside the United Kingdom. (b.) A letter sent from any of Her Majesty's ships of war, whether on the high seas or in any port or place outside the United Kingdom, to any place in the United Kingdom, or to any country or place specified in the schedule hereto. (c.) A letter deposited in a letter-box on board a British ship, or in the hands of the commander of such ship, when on the high seas or in a port in any country or place specified in the schedule hereto, for transmission to the United Kingdom or to any country or place specified in the said schedule. (3.) The rates fixed by this clause in relation to letters to and from Her Majesty's ships of war shall apply only to letters transmitted in closed mails to or from such ships. 3. Where an incoming letter liable to be charged with the rates of postage specified in this warrant is redirected to any country or place to which such rates do not apply, there shall be charged and paid on such letter an amount which, together with the amount chargeable thereon under this warrant, shall be equal to the rates of postage on letters charged and paid under the principal warrant. i. Clause 1 of the Foreign and Colonial Post Amendment Warrant, 1895, is hereby repealed, and that -warrant may be cited as " The Foreign and Colonial Post (Amendment No. 2) Warrant, 1895." 5. This warrant may be cited as "The Foreign and Colonial Post (Amendment No. 3) Warrant, 1898." 6. This warrant shall come into operation on the 25th day of December, 1898. Dated this 22nd day of December, 1898. W. H. Fishes, Stanley, Two of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury. Norfolk, Her Majesty's Postmaster-General.

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The, Schedule before referred to. Aden. Hongkong. Newfoundland. Ascension. India (British). Niger Coast Protectorate. Bahamas. Johore. Niger Territory. Barbados. Lagos. St. Helena. Bermuda. Leeward Islands, viz., Sarawak. British Central Africa. Antigua, Seychelles. British Bast Africa. St. Kitts, Sierra Leone. British Guiana. Nevis, Straits Settlements. British Honduras. Dominica, Tobago. Canada. Montserrat, and Trinidad. Ceylon. The Virgin Islands. Turks and Caicos Islands. Cyprus. Malay States (federated), viz., Uganda. Falkland Islands. Perak, Windward Islands, viz., Fiji Islands. Selangor, Grenada, Gambia. Negri-Sembilan, and St. Lucia, and Gibraltar. Pahang. St. Vincent. Gold Coast Colony. Natal.

Enclosure No. 2. Memobandum containing Infobmation supplied to the Admibalty by the General Post Office in Letteb of 20th Decembee, 1898. On and after the 25th December, 1898, letters posted in the United Kingdom or in any of the places mentioned in the enclosed list, addressed to all persons—including commissioned officers— on board any of Her Majesty's ships abroad, and letters from all such persons addressed to the United Kingdom or to any place mentioned in the list, should, if sent enclosed in the ship's bags, be prepaid by means of British postage stamps at the rate of Id. the \ oz. So far as such letters are concerned, this extension will practically annul the existing regulalations referred to in Article 565 of the Queen's Eegulations and Admiralty Instructions, 1893 (Form S. 579), which require that, in order to pass at the present privileged rate of Id., letters addressed to or sent by seamen in the navy must not exceed \ oz. in weight; that the rank of the seaman and the name of the ship should be stated in the address ; and that, in the case of letters from seamen, the commanding officer's signature must appear on the cover, and the practice of stopping and returning seamen's letters when the special regulations have not been complied with will be discontinued so far as letters sent to the ships in the regular bags are concerned, while any insufficiently paid letters will be sent on charged with double the deficient postage at the new rate, to be dealt with on board as unprivileged letters are now dealt with when insufficiently paid. With regard to letters posted on shore, these, if sent from the United Kingdom to any place mentioned in the list, or if sent from any place mentioned in the list to the United Kingdom or to any of the other places mentioned, may be posted prepaid by means of British or colonial stamps, as the case may be, at the Id. rate, whatever the rank of the sender or addressee; but this will not apply to letters posted on shore at any place not specified in the list. In the latter case the regulations referred to in the preceding paragraph will still apply, but officers' letters sent in like circumstances should continue to be prepaid at the existing full rate of postage. Letters posted on shore in a foreign country by any person in the navy not on active service in that country will continue to be subject to the full rates of postage in force for the time being in the places where such letters are posted. It is to be particularly noted that the new regulations do not admit of letters from private persons in Australia, and other places where letter-postage still obtains, being taken on board Her Majesty's ships and posted in the ships' bags in order to secure transmission at the reduced rates. Admiralty, December, 1898.

No. 3. (No. 11.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 10th February, 1899. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, with reference to your despatch No. 75 of the 12th December, the documents noted in the subjoined schedule rejecting the reserved Bill to amend the law of divorce, which had been reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. I have, &c, EDWARD WINGFIELD, For the Secretary of State. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

1.-l, 1899, >To. 24.

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Enclosure. At the Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, the 2nd day of February, 1899. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, Lord President, Lord. Privy Seal, Duke of Marlborough, Earl of Kintore. Whereas by an Act passed in the session held in the fifteenth and sixteenth years of Her Majesty's reign, entitled " An Act to grant a Representative Constitution to the Colony of New Zealand," it is amongst other things declared that no Bill which shall be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon shall have any force or authority within the Colony of New Zealand until the Governor of the said Colony shall signify, either by speech or message to the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said colony, or by Proclamation, that such Bill has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and that Her Majesty has been pleased to assent to the same : And whereas a certain Bill passed by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said colony, entitled "An Act to amend the Law of Divorce," was presented to the Officer Administering the Government of the said colony for Her Majesty's assent: And whereas the said Bill was reserved by the said Officer for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure thereon : And whereas the said Bill so reserved as aforesaid has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and it is expedient that the said Bill should be assented to by Her Majesty : Now, therefore, Her Majesty, in pursuance of the said Act, and in exercise of the power thereby reserved to Her Majesty as aforesaid, doth by this present order, by and with the advice of Her Majesty's Privy Council, declare her assent to the said Bill. A. W. Fitzeoy.

No. 4. (Circular.) Sib,— Downing Street, 10th February, 1899. It has been represented to me by the Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom that the British creditors of bankrupts domiciled in the United Kingdom frequently suffer from the fact that, because in certain colonies full and complete effect is not given to the title of a British trustee in bankruptcy to the estate of such a bankrupt, so far as regards the assets in the colony, creditors in this country consequently find that creditors in the colony obtain undue preference. The association point out that, according to English law, the bankruptcy laws of the country of domicile of a debtor are allowed to take effect in this country, and that in consequence of this the colonial trustee of a colonial bankrupt can make a complete title to the assets of that bankrupt in England, and that English creditors can only receive dividends from the estate in accordance with the law of the debtor's country of domicile. It is suggested by the association that, in the interests of the mutual trading relations between the Mother-country and the colonies, it is not desirable that this state of affairs should continue, and they express a hope that efforts may be made to secure in the colonies provision for the recognition there of the title of the trustees of British bankrupts domiciled in the United Kingdom, similar to that which exists in this country in regard to the colonial trustees of bankrupts domiciled outside the United Kingdom. The Board of Trade, to whom the matter was referred, have stated that they would welcome such alteration of colonial laws as would entitle British trustees to the same treatment as colonial trustees receive in this country, and that the views of the association would probably be met if the laws of British colonies and possessions, so far as they at present fail to ghe full recognition to the title of trustees in the United Kingdom, were amended to the following effect :■ — That, where in any part of the United Kingdom a person who is domiciled in that part of the United Kingdom has become insolvent, and his property has become, by the law of that part of the United Kingdom, vested in a trustee or administrator for distribution among the whole body of the debtor's creditors equally,— 1. The colonial law, if the colonial Courts are satisfied that the debtor is domiciled in the United Kingdom, should give full and complete effect to the title of such trustee or administrator to the personal property of the debtor situate in the colony.

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2. Where, after the date on which, by the law of any part of the United Kingdom, the debtor's property vests in the trustee, a creditor or the representatives of creditors in a colony seek to enforce execution or process against, or delivery over to him of the property of, the debtor in the colony, the colonial Courts should refuse to permit the enforcement of such execution or process, and should require the property to be delivered over to such trustee, so that the entire body of creditors, British and colonial, of the debtor might share equally in the distribution of the debtor's whole estate. I shall be glad to be informed of the law upon the matter in question in the colony under your government. Should the existing law not already secure reciprocal treatment in regard to the recognition of the title of a British trustee in bankruptcy, I would invite your Government to consider the desirability of taking steps to amend the colonial law in the direction indicated, so as to bring it into uniformity with the law of this country on the subject. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 5. Downing Street, 2nd March, 1899. A despatch signifying that Her Majesty will not be advised to exercise her power of disallowance with respect to the Acts of the New Zealand Legislature passed in the session of Parliament, 1898. [List of Acts published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 22nd June, 1899.]

No. 6. (Circular.) Sib,— Downing Street, 2nd March, 1899. I have the honour to inform you that, in consequence of applications received from time to time from the educational authorities of certain Colonial Governments for the supply of examples and specimens of examination papers for the purpose of aiding instruction in art schools and classes, which applications have been as far as possible complied with, correspondence has passed between the Science and Art Department and this office as to the possibility of offering further facilities in this direction. 2. The Lords of the Committee of Council on Education have expressed their readiness, upon receiving a request from any Colonial Government, to select from students' works which will be submitted at forthcoming examinations sets of works which, as far as circumstances permit, shall be representative of the subjects of instruction in respect of which grants-in-aid are made by the Science and Art Department, and shall include examples of works required by the department from candidates for certificates of qualification to teach. 3. The cost to a Colonial Government for such a set of works would be about £40, exclusive of freight; but this price is not one that could be absolutely fixed, since the prices of works necessarily vary, according to the value placed upon them by the students to whom they belong. 4. Such sets of works would be accompanied by sets of exercises in subjects of the personal examinations held annually in schools of art, &c. There is not likely to be any difficulty in supplying these latter sets except in one or two of the more advanced subjects, in which the number of exercises which can serve as examples of sound work is limited. 5. Copies of the directory of the Science and Art Department, together with syllabuses of the subjects of instruction in art, are herewith enclosed. Copies of the illustrated reports by examiners on the national competition of schools of art, &c, and upon the annual personal examinations, will be supplied as far as possible upon receipt of application for them. 6. Their Lordships consider that if such a collection were placed in some public building where access might be obtained by all teachers and others who

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might wish to study it, the system of instruction in art in force in the United Kingdom and fostered by Government grants-in-aid would be so completely illustrated as to afford useful guidance to those who are interested in founding or encouraging schools of industrial or decorative art in the colony. 7. I shall be glad to be informed whether your Government would wish to receive such a collection on the terms proposed. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 7. (No. 36.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 30th June, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches (Nos. 18, 19, and 21), of the 4th ultimo, relating to the affairs of the Cook Islands. 2. With reference to the first despatch under acknowledgment, I agree with you that it is desirable that the Chief Justice for the time being of fche Cook Islands should hold a Judicial Commissionership ; but this course appears to be precluded by section 8 (2) of the Pacific Order in Council, 1893, which only provides for the appointment of a Judical Commissioner for particular purposes, and for a particular time. 3. I shall therefore cause steps to be taken for the requisite amendment of the Order in Council, and for the appointment of Colonel Gudgeon when the Order has been passed. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-1, 1900, No. 1.

No. 8. (No. 39.) My Loed,— Downing Street, 12th July, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 27), of the 22nd May, from which I have learned with regret of the retirement of Sir James Prendergast from the office of Chief Justice, which he has honourably filled for so many years. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1900, No. 3.

No. 9. (General.) My Loed,— Downing Street, 13th July, 1899. Her Majesty's Government have undertaken to present to Parliament information as to the provision made in certain European countries for the university education of Roman Catholics, with special reference to the constitution of such universities, the amount of their endowments, the sources from which such endowments are derived, and the number of persons receiving university education in proportion to the Roman Catholic population; and I have been asked to furnish similar information as regards universities in the colonies. 2. I should wish, therefore, to receive any information bearing on this subject which you can supply me with as regards the colony under your administration, and more particularly as to the nature of any relations that may subsist between the Roman Catholic Episcopate and the authorities of the universities. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, &c.

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No. 10. (No. 45.) My Loed,— Downing Street, 28th July, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 29), of the 29th May last, covering a memorandum by your Premier offering in case of necessity to place a force at the disposal of Her Majesty's Government for service in Samoa. Her Majesty's Government desire to renew the expression of their grateful appreciation of the generous and patriotic spirit shown by New Zealand in connection with the disturbances in Samoa, but, so far as can be seen at present, no occasion for sending an armed force to the group seems likely to arise. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1900, No. 4.

No. 11. (No. 48.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 16th August, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 40), of the 23rd June last, reporting the appointment of Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., as Chief Justice of New Zealand. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1900, No. 9.

No. 12. (No. 49.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 16th August, 1899. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 39), of the 23rd June last, reporting the appointment of Messrs. P. H. Fraser, H. Gourley, and Colonel A. Pitt to seats in the Legislative Council. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1900, No. 8.

No. 13. (No. 51.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 24th August, 1899. I have the honour to transmit to you, with reference to my despatch (No. 36), of the 30th June last, the accompanying copies of an Order of Her Majesty in Council of the Bth instant, amending the Pacific Order in Council, 1893, so as to provide for the appointment of the Chief Justice for the time being of the Cook Islands as a Judicial Commissioner. 2. The High Commissioner for the Western Pacific has been instructed to appoint Colonel Gudgeon accordingly. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 7.

Enclosure. At the Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, the Bth day of August, 1899. Present: The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, Lord Chancellor, Lord President, Lord James of Hereford, Sir Meetwood Edwards. Whekbas it is expedient to amend the Pacific Order in Council, 1893 (hereinafter called " the principal order"), so as to enable the Chief Justice for the time being of the High Court of the Cook Islands Protectorate to be appointed a Judicial Commissioner for the purposes of the principal Order: Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by virtue and in exercise of the powers in this behalf by " The British Settlements Act, 1887," the Pacific Islanders Protection Acts, and "The Foreign Jurisdic-

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tion Act, 1890," or otherwise in Her Majesty vested, is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows: — 1. This Order may be cited as " The Pacific Order in Council 1893 Amendment Order, 1899," and shall be read and construed as part of " The Pacific Order in Council, 1893." 2. The High Commissioner may from time to time in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty, by writing under his hand and seal, appoint the person for the time being holding the office of Chief Justice of the High Court of the Cook Islands Protectorate, to be a Judicial Commissioner for the purposes of the principal Order. A Judicial Commissioner appointed under this Order may be suspended or removed by the High Commissioner, by writing under his hand and seal showing the grounds of suspension or removal, and the same shall be reported forthwith to the Secretary of State. A Judicial Commissioner appointed under this Order shall cease to be a Judicial Commissioner on ceasing to be the Chief Justice of the High Court of the Cook Islands Protectorate. A Judicial Commissioner appointed under this Order shall exercise the jurisdiction of the High Commissioner's Court within the limits of the Cook Islands Protectorate and not elsewhere. A. W. Fitzeoy.

No. 14. (No. 55.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 15th September, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch i (No. 47), of the 12th July last, enclosing copies of the Speech with which you } opened Parliament on the 7th of that month, and of the Addresses of both Houses in reply. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1900, No. 14.

No. 15. (General.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 22nd September, 1899. In reply to your Lordship's despatch (No. 86), of the sth of July, 1898, a I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, * stating that the Lords Commissioners agree that New Zealand should be permitted to use the colonial badge on the red ensign, and enclosing the necessary warrant. It will also be seen, from the same letter, that directions were to be given by the Lords Commissioners for the necessary correction in the flag-book, substituting a white for a blue ground in the drawing of the badge of the colony. With reference to paragraphs 1 and 4 of your despatch, I have to enclose a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, stating that it has not been found possible to show, in the new edition of the International Code of Signals, the badges used by any of the colonial Government steamers on the blue or red ensigns, for the reasons given, but that a note has been added against the illustration of the blue ensign, which appears on page iv. of the new code, to the effect that the ensign with a badge is used by Home and Colonial Government departments. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1899, No. 8.

Enclosures. Sic, — Admiralty, 7th February, 1899. With reference to your letter of the 10th ultimo (No. 20588/98), transmitting an extract from a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand conveying a recommendation that New Zealand vessels should be permitted to use the colonial badge on the red ensign, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that they agree to comply with the request, and to transmit herewith the necessary warrant to be forwarded to the New Zealand Government. 2. I am further to observe, with reference to your letter of the 16th August last (No. 17976/98), that directions will be given for the necessary correction in the flag-book to substitute a white for a blue ground in the drawing of the badge of the colony. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan McGbegoe.

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Board of Trade, Marine Department, 7, Whitehall Gardens, Sib,— London, S.W., 13th September, 1899. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th ultimo, enclosing a copy of a letter from Admiralty regarding the use by New Zealand vessels of the red ensign with the colonial badge in the fly, and requesting that Mr. Secretary Chamberlain may be informed what answer the Board would suggest should be sent as regards paragraphs 1 and 4, Lord Eanfurly's despatch (No. 36) of the sth July, 1898. In reply I am to state, for Mr. Chamberlain's information, that it has not been found possible to show in the new edition of the International Code of Signals the badges used by any of the Colonial Government steamers on the blue or red ensigns, as the insertion of such details would add considerably to the size of the book and to the cost of its production. A note has, however, been added against the illustration of the blue ensign which appears on page iv. of the new code, to the effect that the new ensign with a badge is used by Home and Colonial Government departments. As regards the omission from the revised code of a signal to be used by vessels requiring the services of a tug at night, I am to say that the number of night signals in the code has been made as small as possible, in order to minimise the risk of confusion which might arise from the indiscriminate use of such signals, and, having regard to the views expressed by the chief foreign maritime powers on the subject of night signals, it is not considered desirable to add to the number at present. I have, &c, Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. H. W. Pelham.

By the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &o. Whereas we deem it expedient that New Zealand registered vessels shall be permitted to wear the red ensign of Her Majesty's fleet with the badge of the colony on the fly thereof: We do therefore, by virtue of the power and authority vested in us, hereby warrant and authorise the red ensign of Her Majesty's fleet, with the badge of the colony of New Zealand in the fly, to be used on board vessels registered in the colony. Given under our hands and the seal of the Office of Admiralty, this 7th day of February, 1899. Peed. G. D. Bbdpoed. A. W. Mooee. By command of their Lordships—Evan MacGeegob.

No. 16. (No. 60.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd September, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your despatch (No. 57), of the 4th ultimo, forwarding a report on the operation of the Old-age Pensions Act. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Banfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1900, No. 16.

No. 17. (General.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 23rd September, 1899. In reply to your Lordship's despatch (No. 43), of the 6th July, I have the honour to inform you that the Queen has been pleased to approve of Sir James Prendergast, late Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, bearing the title of "Honourable" for life within the colony, under conditions set out in Lord Carnarvon's circular despatch of the 29th August, 1877. 2. I regret that the second request of your Premier cannot be complied with, as the rule relating to the recognition of the title " Honourable " throughout Her Majesty's dominions does not extend to Judges. I have, &c, J. CHAMBBELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Banfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1900, No. 11.

No. 18. (No. 61.) My Lokd,— Downing Street, 26th September, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 45), of the Bth July last, respecting the gift to Her Majesty the Queen of a piece of land by a chief of Mangaia, in the Cook Islands.

A.-l, 1900, No. 13.

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2. I shall be glad if you will cause an expression of the Queen's appreciation of the loyal spirit which has prompted this gift to be conveyed to Daniela Tangitoru. 3. It will be for your Ministers to decide as to the acceptance or otherwise of the land. I have, &c, J. CPIAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 19. (Circular.) Sib, — Downing Street, 26th September, 1899. I have the honour to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your government, a copy of a Convention between the United Kingdom and Guatemala relative to trade-marks, and signed at Guatemala on the 20th July, 1898, the ratifications of which were exchanged at Guatemala on the 28th July, 1899. 2. I have to call your attention to Article 11. 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 the Minister of Foreign Eelations of the Eepublic of Guatemala within one year from the date of the exchange of the ratifications, 3. I have therefore to request that you will be good enough to acquaint me as soon as possible of the wishes of your Government in the matter. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEBLAIN. The Officer Administrating the Government, New Zealand.

Enclosure. Convention between the United Kingdom and Guatemala eelative to Tbade-mabks. Signed at Guatemala, 20th July, 1898. Eatifioations exchanged at Guatemala, 28th July, 1899. Hek Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, &c, &c, and His Excellency the President of the Eepublio of Guatemala, being desirous to conclude a Convention for the mutual protection of trade-marks and designs, have for that purpose appointed as their plenipotentiaries, namely: Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, &c, George Birt Jenner, Esquire, Her Minister Eesident in Central America ; and His Excellency the President of Guatemala, Doctor Francisco Anguiano, Secretary of State for the Department of the Interior and Justice, and in charge of that of Foreign Eelations, who, after having mutually communicated their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed to the following articles : — Article I. ....... The subjects or citizens of each of the contracting parties shall have in the dominions and possessions of the other the same rights as are now granted to national subjects or citizens in all that relates to trade-marks, industrial designs, and patterns. In order that such rights may be obtained, the formalities required by the laws of the respective countries must be fulfilled. Article 11. The stipulations of the present Convention shall be applicable to all the colonies and foreign possessions of Her Britannic Majesty excepting to those hereinafter named, that is to say, except to India, the Dominion of Canada, Newfoundland, the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, and New Zealand : Provided always that the stipulations of the present Convention shall be made applicable to any of the above-named colonies or foreign possessions on whose behalf notice to that effect shall have been given by Her Britannic Majesty's representative to the Minister of Foreign Eelations of the Eepublic of Guatemala within one year from the date of the exchange of the ratifications of the present Convention. Article 111. The present Convention shall be ratified as soon as possible, and shall remain in force for five years, which will commence to run one month after the exchange of ratifications, which shall take place in the City of Guatemala. Nevertheless, if one year before the expiration of that term neither of the two contracting parties shall have announced to the other, by means of an official declaration, the intention of putting an end to the present Convention, it shall continue binding until the lapse of a year after such declaration shall have been made. In witness whereof the undersigned plenipotentiaries have signed the present Convention, and affixed thereto their seals. Done in duplicate, in Guatemala, on the twentieth day of July, 1898. G. Jennee. F. Anguiano.

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' No. 20. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 27th September, 1899. With reference to Lord Eipon's circular despatch of the 24th May, 1895, and to my circular despatch of the Bth January, 1898, I have the honour to transmit a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office enclosing a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister at Monte Video, reporting the signature of a Convention for the renewal of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between Great Britain and Uruguay of the 13th of November, 1885. I would invite your attention to the declaration relative to the adherence of the British colonies and possessions to this arrangement, and I should be glad to be informed at your early convenience whether, in the event of the exchange of ratifications of the Convention, of which a copy is enclosed, your Government would desire to adhere to it, and, if so, whether they would wish the necessary notification to be made to the Uruguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs. I have, &c, J. CHAMBBELAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sir,— Foreign Office, Bth September, 1899. I transmit to you herewith, by direction of the Marquis of Salisbury, to be laid before Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, a copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister at Monte Video reporting the signature of a Convention for the renewal of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between Great Britain and Uruguay. A copy of the agreement is also enclosed, and I am to state that the Queen's ratification will be prepared and sent out to Monte Video for exchange as soon as his Lordship is informed that the Convention has passed the Legislature of Uruguay. ■ I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. F. H. Villiers.

Sub-enclosures. My Lord,— Monte Video, 15th July, 1899. I have the honour to enclose the Convention for the renewal of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation of the 13th November, 1885, between Great Britain and Uruguay, which, in obedience to the instructions conveyed to me in your Lordship's telegram of this series, No. 3, of the 20th ultimo, I have this day signed with Dr. Manuel Herrero y Espinosa, the Uruguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs. This Convention will have to be submitted to the Chambers before it can be ratified. I have, &c, The Marquis of Salisbury, K.G., &c. Walter Baring.

Convention foe the eenewal of the Treaty of Commeece and Navigation, of Novembee, 1885, between Great Britain and the Omental Eepublic of Uruguay. [Not yet in force. Printed in form as signed, before being submitted to the Chambers of the Republic, and before ratification.] Their Excellencies Mr. Walter Baring, Her Britannic Majesty's Minister Eesident, and Dr. Manuel Herrero y Espinosa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, having met together at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Oriental Eepublic of Uruguay, have declared that, whereas it has not been as yet possible for reasons foreign to the wishes of both Governments to conclude a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between their respective countries to take the place of the one that has lapsed, and recognising the fact that it is necessary that the commercial interests of the two nations should continue to be regulated by an international compact securing to them the treatment and advantages of the most favoured nation ; and being duly authorised to that effect, now agree that the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation concluded on the 13th of November, 1885, and the ratifications of which were exchanged on the 22nd of May, 1886, shall be renewed. They also declare that British colonies and possessions may adhere to the present Convention within six months, counting from the exchange of ratifications, and may withdraw from the same at any time by giving six months' notice of their intention. In either case the notice will be given by the representative of Her Britannic Majesty at Monte Video to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Uruguay. It was also agreed that the stipulations contained in the treaty which is to be renewed do not include cases in which the Government of the Oriental Eepublic of Uruguay may accord special favours, exemptions, and privileges to the citizens or products of the United States of Brazil, of the Argentine Eepublic, or of Paraguay in matters of commerce. Such favours cannot be claimed on behalf of Great Britain on the ground of most-favoured-nation rights as long as they are not conceded to other States.

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It is, nevertheless, understood that the said special favours, exemptions, and privileges shall not be capable of application to products similar to those of Great Britain, nor be extended to navigation. The present Convention shall be ratified and the ratifications exchanged at Monte Video as soon as possible. It shall come into force from the day on which the ratifications are exchanged, and shall continue in force until the expiration of one year from the day on which one of the high contracting parties shall have given notice to the other of its intention of terminating it. The undersigned plenipotentiaries trust that in the time during which the present Convention remains in force the necessary negotiations may be carried on for the conclusion of a new treaty more in keeping with the reciprocal interests of the two States. In witness whereof they have signed the present Convention in duplicate at Monte Video, the 15th day of July, 1899. Walter Baking. Manl. Hbeebeo y Espinosa.

No. 21. (No. 63.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 29th September, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 53), of the 4th ultimo, on the subject of the recent appointment of an Acting British Consul at Samoa. I understand that you have been informed of the circumstances in which Mr. Hamilton Hunter was appointed to fill this post, and that when the British High Commissioner applied to you to send an officer from New Zealand for the purpose, he had reason to believe that the Governor of Fiji would be unable to comply with the similar request which had been made to him. In the critical situation which then existed in Samoa, it was of course very undesirable to leave the British Consulship vacant longer than necessary, and Mr. Eliot thought that the opportunity for filling it afforded by the unexpected arrival of Mr. Hunter should not be lost. Her Majesty's Government, however, cannot but greatly regret that your Ministers and Major Mair were put to needless trouble in the matter, and that it was impossible to utilize the services of that officer on his arrival in Samoa in the capacity which he was sent to fill. Her Majesty's Government will be glad if you will convey an expression of their regret to your Ministers, together with their cordial acknowledgments for the promptitude with which they responded to Mr. Eliot's appeal. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1900, No. 15.

No. 22. (No. 64.) My Lord, — Downing Street, sth October, 1899. In my telegram of the 3rd instant I communicated to you the acceptance by Her Majesty's Government, on the terms stated, of the offer which your Government have made of troops for service in South Africa. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, copy of a letter from the War Office on which that telegram was based. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure. Sib,— War Office, London, S.W., 2nd October, 1899. In view of the many offers of troops for co-operation with Her Majesty's Forces in South Africa which have been made, either officially by colonial Governments on behalf of their colonies, or unofficially by officers and gentlemen on behalf of bodies of men whom they know to be willing to serve, the Secretary of State for War will be obliged if the Secretary of State for the Colonies will express to both the Governments and the individuals concerned his gratification at the fact that such offers have been made. The Secretary of State for War and the Commander-in-Chief highly appreciate this signal exhibition of the patriotic spirit by which Her Majesty's colonial subjects are animated.

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Lord Landsdowne would also submit, for transmission to the proper quarters, such information as may assist in the organization of the troops thus offered into units suitable to the military requirements of the situation. Such requirements and the conditions necessary to fill them can best be indicated in outline, leaving details for further consideration and arrangement. Organization and Arms. 1. The troops should be organized into units of about 125 men. 2. The units may consist of either infantry, mounted infantry, or cavalry. In view of the numbers of these arms already available, infantry will be most and cavalry of least service. 3. All should be armed with '303 rifles or carbines. 4. All troops must provide their own equipment and mounted troops their own horses. 5. Not more than one captain and three subalterns should accompany each unit. Where more than one unit is despatched from a single colony the whole force from that colony may be commanded by a major; but no officer of higher rank should be despatched. Total Numbers that can be employed. In considering this question Lord Lansdowne has been guided by the nature of the offers already made by the colonies, by a desire that each should be fairly represented, and by the limits which must necessarily be imposed on such a force if it is to be fully utilised under the staff at our disposal as an integral portion of Her Majesty's Forces in South Africa. The Governments of two colonies—namely, of Queensland and of New Zealand—have offered respectively 250 and 200 men. Lord Lansdowne accepts these offers with gratitude, and, in accordance with the requirements of organization already outlined, suggests that they should be organized in each case into companies of 125 and 100 men respectively. So far there have been no offers from the Governments of other colonies, but Lord Lansdowne has been given to understand that 1,260 men are anxious to volunteer from New South Wales alone, 1,000 from Victoria, about 300 from South Australia, 50 from Hongkong, and 300 from the Malay States. Lord Lansdowne does not see his way to accepting the offers from Hongkong and the Malay States, but from New South Wales and Victoria he would be glad to accept from each colony two units of 125 men each, and from South Australia one unit of 125 men. From Canada no definite offer has as yet reached Lord Lansdowne, but he understands that 1,200 men are anxious to volunteer. From Canada Lord Lansdowne would be glad to accept four units of 125 men each. If these suggestions are accepted the numbers would be : — From Queensland ... ... ... ... ... ... 250 „ New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ... 200 „ New South Wales... ... ... ... ... ... 250 Victoria ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 250 „ South Australia ... ... ... ... ... . . 125 „ Canada ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 500 1,575 Conditions of Pay, Pension, Transport, <$c. Whilst noting the generous offer by the Government of New Zealand to furnish pay in addition to transport, Lord Lansdowne is of opinion that the same conditions should be applied in the case of each colony, viz: Every colonial Force to be landed at the port of debarkation in South Africa, fully equipped at the cost of the Colonial Government or other body furnishing the Force ; the Imperial Government to provide from that date pay at Imperial rates, supplies, and ammunition, and to defray the cost of transport back to the colony when the services of the Force are no longer required. Wound pensions and compassionate allowances to be paid by the Imperial Government at Imperial rates. Date of Embarkation and Provisional Destination. All such Forces should, if possible, embark not later than the 31st October, and should proceed directly to Capetown for orders. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. H. Knox.

No. 23. (General.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 12th October, 1899. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office containing correspondence respecting a festival to be held in the summer of next year at Berne, to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Postal Union; and, with reference to the second paragraph, I have to request that you will inform me at your earliest convenience whether your Government would propose to be represented either directly or indirectly at the festival. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, &c.

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Enclosure. Sib,— Foreign Office, 12th June, 1899. I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to enclose, for the information of Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, copies of correspondence, as marked in the margin, respecting a festival to be held in the summer of next year at Berne, to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Postal Union. Mr. Chamberlain may think proper to bring the matter to the knowledge of the self-governing colonies, in case they may wish to be represented either directly or indirectly at the festival. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. F. H. Villiebs.

Sub-enclosures. Monsieue le Maequis,— Londres, le 6 Avril, 1899. D'orde de mon Gouvernement, j'ai l'honneur d'informer votre Seigneurie gui le 9 Octobre, 1899, l'union postale universelle, fondee a Berne le 9 Octobre, 1874, accomplira le vinqt-cinquieme anne de sou existence. Le Conseil f£d&ral a etc pressenti par l'une dcs administrations de l'union postale universelle sur la question de savoir s'il ne conviendrait pas de feter le vinqt-cinquieme anniversaire de cette grande institution dans la ville meme gui fut son berceau et ou reside le bureau international dcs postes. Dans la pensee gui la proposition gui lvi etait si heureusement suggeree rencontrerait l'assoutiment dcs Etats formant l'union postale universelle, le Conseil fed6ral s'est declare pret a organiser une fete commemorative et a y convier les Etats de l'union. Mon Gouvernement n'eut done prier les Hauts, Gouvernements de ces Estats de vouloir bien s<3 faire represented par dcs delegues, a la reunion projetee gui aura lien a Berne le 2 Juillet, 1900. Cette date ne coincide pas, il est vrai, avec le jour ou le traite postal a etc sique. Mais la date anniversaire dv 9 Octobre, 1899, N'Aurait pas laiss6 a la confederation le temps necessaire pour les indispensables de cette reunion. Les autorites federates tenaient aussi a faire le choix dune saison plus propice. Le programme de cette festivity, gui nest pas encore definitivement arrete, comprendra, entre autres une seance soleunelle d'ouverture avec discours et dans laquelle ou nommera une commission charged de referer sur la question dun monument a clever en souvenir de l'oeuvre de 1874: une excursion de deux ou trois jours dans les Alpes : une seance de cloture, ou seront discutees la question dv monument et d'autres propositions eventuelles. Mon Gouvernement aime a experer que tousles etats faisant partie de l'union postale universelle et notamment le Haut Gouvernement de la Majeste Britannique voudront bien accepter cette invitation et communiquer au Conseil federal, en temps utile, les noms de lecurs delegues. Veuillez agreer, &c, Sa Seigneurie, le Marquis de Salisbury, K.G., &c. C. D. Boubcabt.

Sib, — General Post Office, London, 2nd June, 1899. With reference to your letter of the 11th April, 1899, enclosing a copy of a note from the Swiss Minister at this Court on the subject of the festival which is to be held at Berne in the summer of 1900, to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Postal Union, I am directed by the Duke of Norfolk to state, for the information of the Marquis of Salisbury, that in His Grace's opinion the time is not yet come when it would be possible to inform Monsieur Bourcart of the names of the British delegates who will take part in the celebration. Lord Salisbury may perhaps think that the best course will be to accept formally the invitation which has been sent to Her Majesty's Government, and to reserve the question of representation. In the meantime, the Postmaster-General would be glad to learn the views of the Secretary of State on the question whether the representation should be diplomatic or postal, or both —the invitation as finally formulated being to the Government, and not specifically to the Post Office. The proposal to consider the question of arranging a monument in memory of the foundation of the Union in 1874 will, of course, involve a reference to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. I am, &c, Secretary of State, Foreign Office. G. H. Mubbay.

Sib,— Foreign Office, 12th June, 1899. I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to enclose, for the information of Her Majesty's Postmaster-General, a copy of a note which, in accordance with the suggestion made in the second paragraph of your letter of the 2nd instant, his Lordship has addressed to the Swiss Minister, accepting the invitation of his Government to send British delegates to the festival to be held at Berne next summer, to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Postal Union. It may bo desirable, when the time comes, that, in addition to any delegates nominated by Her Majesty's Postmaster-General or other departments, the British Minister at Berne should also attend the festival. This point may, however, be left for consideration at a later date. In the meantime copies of the correspondence have been forwarded to Mr. St. John, with instructions to report any information that reaches him with regard to the representation of other States.

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The attention of the Colonial and India Offices has also been called to the proposed celebration. I am, &c, The Secretary to the General Post Office. F. H. Villibrs.

Sib,— Foreign Office, 12th June, 1899, With reference to your note of the 6th of April last, I have the honour to inform you that Her Majesty's Government have great pleasure in accepting the invitation of the Government of the Swiss Confederation that British representatives should attend the festival to be held at Berne in the summer of next year, to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Postal Union. I shall, at a later date, have the honour of notifying to you the names of the British delegates. I have, &c, Monsieur Bourcart, &c. Salisbury.

No. 24. (No. 71.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 2nd November, 1899. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, with reference to your telegram of the 24th August last, a copy of the correspondence noted below respecting the saluting-stations in the Australian Colonies and New Zealand for foreign men-of-war. I have, &c, EDWAED WINGFIELD, For the Secretary of State. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Date. Nature of Document. 16th June, 1899 ... ... Foreign Office to Colonial Office (without enclosure). 28th September, 1899 ... ... Colonial Office to Foreign Office.

Enclosures. Sik,— Foreign Office, 16th June, 1899. I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the translation of a note from the German Ambassador, inquiring on behalf of his Government whether Thursday Island is to be regarded as a salutingstation for foreign ships of war, and what other ports in the British colonies of Australia are to be so regarded. I am to request that Lord Salisbury may be informed what reply should be made to Count Hatzfeld on these points. The required information with regard to Zanzibar has been obtained from the Admiralty. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. H. Sanderson.

Enclosure. Sir, — Downing Street, 28th September, 1899. I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th June, inquiring as to saluting-stations for foreign ships of war in Australia, and I am to express his regret that he has not been in a position to return an earlier reply. 2. I am to request you to inform the Marquis of Salisbury that telegrams have now been received from the Governors of the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, from which it appears that the following are the only saluting-stations : New South Wales— Sydney ; South Australia — Outer anchorage, Largs Bay, or neighbourhood, seaward; Queensland —Battery, Queen's Park, Brisbane, and 9-pounder battery, Thursday Island ; Western Australia—Albany; Tasmania— Hobart; New Zealand—Wellington and Auckland. 3. With regard to Victoria, the Governor telegraphed, in the first instance, that there is no saluting-station, but in reply to a further inquiry whether foreign war-ships do not salute in the neighbourhood of Melbourne, he has telegraphed that the local defence harbour-ship "Cerberus" returns the salute of foreign men-of-war when she is at her moorings in Hobson's Bay. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. H. Bektbam Cox.

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No. 25. (No. 72.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 10th November, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 67), of the 29th September last, transmitting a resolution passed by the House of Eepresentatives, respecting the offer of a contingent of New Zealand Mounted Eifles for service in South Africa, and reporting the arrangements made for the composition and equipment of the Force. The patriotic enthusiam with which the Government and people of New Zealand have taken a share in the defence of Imperial interests in South Africa has been received with warm and sincere gratification by the Government and people of this country, and the promptitude of the arrangements made for the despatch of the contingent has been cordially recognised by the military authorities. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-1, 1900, No. 20.

No. 26. (No. 74.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 14th November, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 64), of the 18th September, reporting on the state of affairs in the Cook Islands. 2. I am glad to learn that the condition of the group is satisfactory. I have, &c, J. GHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G.

A.-1, 1900, No. 19.

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