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No. 12. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 76.) Sir, — Downing Street, 16th December,'lB72. With reference to your Despatch No. 82, of 25th September, enclosing a list of the officers of the New Zealand Naval Volunteers for insertion in the Navy List, I transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Admiralty, from which you will see that their Lordships decline to sanction the insertion of officers of higher rank than lieutenants. In these circumstances, no directions will be given for the insertion in the Navy List of any of the names contained in the List enclosed in your Despatch, until I have learned the wishes of your Government upon the subject. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBEELEY.

Enclosure in No. 12. Mr. Lushington to the Under Secretary, Colonial Office. Sir,— Admiralty, 9th December, 1872. With reference to your letter of the 30th ultimo, forwarding a Despatch from Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, enclosing a list of the officers of the New Zealand Naval Volunteers for insertion in the Navy List, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley, that the highest rank hitherto granted to the officers of the Royal Naval Reserve has been that of lieutenant, whereas in the list in'question several officers of the rank of captain are included. My Lords must therefore decline to recognize any higher relative rank than that of lieutenant, whatever local rank may be conferred by the Colonial Government, and cannot, therefore, sanction the insertion of officers of the higher rank in the Navy List. lam to request that, under these circumstances, you will cause their Lordships to be informed whether it is Lord Kimberley's wish that the other officers, below the rank of commander, should be inserted in the Navy List. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. Vernon Lushington.

No. 13. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 82.) Sir, — Downing Street, 31st December, 1872. I have received your Despatch No. 86, of the 21st of October, reporting the nomination of two Native chiefs to the Legislative Council of New Zealand. I have to express my satisfaction at learning that the admission of Maori Members to both Houses of Parliament has been found to work well. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBEELEY.

No. 14. Copt of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, Ist January, 1873. I transmit to you for your information, and for publication within the Colony under your Government, printed copies of papers respecting the new scourge which has recently attacked the vines in France and in Portugal, and which threatens to be as destructive in its effect as the disease which for some years destroyed viniculture in Madeira. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government KIMBEELEY. of New Zealand. (For Enclosures, vide New Zealand Gazette, No. 34, of May 29, 1873.)