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Enclosure. Sic,— Admiralty, 13th August, 1886. With reference to your letter of the 14th July, forwarding a copy of a telegram from the Governor of New Zealand requesting that H.M.S. " Miranda " may be left in New Zealand and placed at the disposal of the Colonial Government as a training-ship, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request that you will inform the Secretary of State for the Colonies that their Lordships regret they are unable to comply with this request, as the " Miranda " is required for further service after her return to England. I am to add that the Agent-General for New Zealand has been also informed, in reply to a similar application. I have, &c., The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. R. D. Awdry.

No. 85. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 24th August, 1886. I have the honour to transmit you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, requesting that they may be furnished annually with a return of the number of candidates who present themselves for examination for certificates of competency as masters and mates, under the Orders in Council issued under " The Merchant Shipping (Colonial) Act, 18G9," and showing the proportion of such candidates who fail to pass the colour test. The Board of Trade also desire that, if any persons other than those applying for certificates of competency are tested in colours under the Board of Trade Circular IGO, of which a copy is enclosed, a return may also be made of the number of such persons, and of the proportion who fail to pass the test. I have, &0., EDWABD STANHOPE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure 1. Sic, — Board of Trade (Marine Department), London, S.W., 12th August, 1886. With reference to "The Merchant Shipping (Colonial) Act, 1869," and the Orders in Council from time to time issued under it with regard to examinations in British possessions abroad for certificates of competency as masters, mates, or engineers on board British ships, I am directed by the Board of Trade to request you to be so good as to move Mr. Secretary Stanhope to cause a communication to be addressed to the authorities in each of the British possessions named in the margin (Victoria, Canada, Now Zealand, New South Wales, Malta, South Australia, Tasmania, Newfoundland, Queensland, Hong Kong), requesting them to furnish this department annually with a return of the number of candidates who present themselves for examination for certificates of competency as masters and mates under the Orders in Council, showing the proportion of such candidates who fail to pass the colour test. If any persons other than those applying for certificates of competency are tested in colours under Circular 160, copies of which are enclosed, it is requested that a return may also be made of the number of such persons, and of the proportion who fail to pass the test. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Thomas Gray.

Enclosure 2. Instructions to Examiners and Superintendents, and Notice to Candidates for Masters' and Mates' Certificates of Competency, and Others, re Colour Tests. Board of Trade (Marine Department), January, 1886. The Board of Trade have made the following arrangements for the examination of persons as to their ability to distinguish colours : —■ 1. Examinations in colour are open to any person serving or about to serve in the mercantile marine. 2. Any person, including the holders of certificates of competency, or persons about to apply for certificates of competency, if desirous of being examined in colours only, must make application to a Superintendent of a Mercantile Marine Office on Form Exn. 2 a, and pay a fee of Is. 3. He must on the appointed day attend for examination at the examiner's office; and if he passes he will receive a certificate to that effect. 4. If he fails it will be open to him to bo examined again in colours as often as he pleases on payment of the fee of Is. at each fresh attempt. 5. The application of a candidate who is presenting himself for examination for a master's or mate's certificate must be made on Form Exn. 2. Such examination will commence with the colour test; and if the candidate does not at the time of making application hold a certificate of competency of any grade, and should fail to distinguish correctly any one of the colours used in the testj he will not be allowed to proceed with the examination in navigation and seamanship.

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