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Enclosure. International Inventions Exhibition, 1885. My Loed, — South Kensington, S.W., Bth August, 1884. I have been requested by His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales to bring to your Lordship's immediate notice the forthcoming International Inventions Exhibition, which is to be held under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, in the buildings at South Kensington, at present occupied by the International Health Exhibition. The Exhibition will be opened in May, 1885 ; and, as the time for preparation is short, it is hoped that your Lordship will have the goodness to cause early notification to be made of His Eoyal Highness's request that the various British colonies will favour him with their co-operation by taking an active part in an Exhibition which will doubtless prove of benefit to the inhabitants of all countries, by bringing prominently to their notice the many inventions which have been made since the great International Exhibition of 1862, and by gathering together examples of the music of all nations. The prospectus, copies of which are forwarded herewith, will fully explain the nature and purpose of the forthcoming Exhibition. I beg leave to call attention to the following rules, which specially concern colonial exhibitors : — "45. The Foreign and Colonial Commissioners appointed by their Governments . are invited to communicate with the Secretary. They will be charged with the consideration of all questions relative to the distribution of the space allotted to their respective countries; and the Executive Council will place at their disposal all information and plans that may be useful to them. Foreign and Colonial Commissioners will be required to guarantee that all exhibits in their respective sections are in accordance with the classification and the regulations. " 46. The applicants for space from countries in which no Commissioner has been nominated must appoint agents in England to act on their behalf. " 47. Applications from foreign countries and colonies will be received up to the Ist November." The Executive Council would suggest that Colonial Governments should be asked to give full publicity to the announcement of this International Exhibition, in its two divisions of Inventions and Music, and be asked to appoint a Commission to arrange for the due display of goods under the various groups, and to settle, in communication with the Council, matters connected with their respective countries. The Executive Council trust that Colonial Governments will generally co-operate with them in promoting in this manner an Exhibition of great practical importance to the commerce and industry of the world, and in making it, in a large sense, International. Where a Colonial Government is not able to adopt this course, the Executive Council would urge that the proper Departments of the Administration, and public bodies concerned with the various subjects set forth in the prospectus, may, as soon as possible, be made acquainted with its contents, and be encouraged to act on its provisions with regard to colonial exhibits. I beg leave to add that it might be useful to supply for the use of the various colonies copies of the prospectus, any number of which can be forwarded on application to this office. I have, &c, Fbedeeiok Beamwell, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby, K.G. Chairman.

No. 8. Sir, — Downing Street, 2nd September, 1884. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, requesting to be furnished with information whether the usual remission for good behaviour, which is granted to civilian prisoners, is extended to naval and marine court-martial prisoners committed to colonial gaols; and I request that you will be good enough to furnish me with the desired information at your earliest convenience. I have, &c, DEEBY. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sra,— Admiralty, 26th August, 1884. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will move Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies to cause them to be furnished, if possible, with the following information : — (1.). In the case of naval and marine court-martial prisoners, who have been committed to colonial gaols (and remain to complete their sentences there), is the usual remission for good behaviour, which is granted to civilian prisoners, extended to them? (2.) And what is the procedure on this point with regard to naval and marine court-martial prisoners who are transferred from colonial -gaols to complete their sentences in England — i.e., in reference to their behaviour while,in such colonial gaols. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. N. Swainson,