65

A.—2

6. The fee he has paid for examination for a certificate of competency will include the fee for the colour test, and, with the exception of Is., will in such event be returned to him. 7. A candidate for examination for a certificate of competency who at the time of making application does not possess a certificate and who fails to pass the colour test may not be reexamined until after the lapse of three months from the date of his first failure. If he fails a second time he will be allowed a third trial at the expiration of another three months from the date of his second failure. A fresh fee must be paid at each succeeding examination. 8. It is therefore obviously to the advantage of candidates for certificates of competency to apply in the first instance to be examined in colours only on Form 2\ 9. A candidate who holds a certificate of competency, and who on presenting himself for examination for a certificate of a higher grade is unable to pass the colour test, will notwithstanding be permitted to proceed with the examination in navigation and seamanship for the certificate of the higher grade. 10. Should he pass this examination, the following statement will be written on the face of the higher certificate which may be granted to him—namely, "This officer has failed to pass the examination in colours." 11. Should he fail to pass the examination in navigation and seamanship a like statement, relating to his being colour-blind, will be made on his inferior certificate before it is returned to him. 12. Holders of certificates which bear the statement of their having failed to pass in colours, and who may desire to have the statement removed from their certificates, must obtain the special permission of the Board of Trade. 13. A list of the examiners in colour tests is appended. Thomas Gbay, Assistant-Secretary. T. H. Faehek, Secretary.

No. 86. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 30th August, 1886. I have the honour to inform you that it is the wish of the Dowager Lady Vernon to present to certain well-established and public institutions in the colonies a copy of the late Lord Vernon's three-volume folio edition of the "Inferno" of Dante, and a copy of the large folio reprint (one volume) of the; "Prime Quattro Edizioni della ' Divina Commedia,' " also brought out by Lord Vernon; and I request that you will enable me to state what free or public library, where the works would be accessible to general readers, you would recommend in the colony under your government as most eligible for the purpose indicated. The annexed circular will acquaint you with the nature and conditions of her Ladyship's proposed munificent gift; but I would point out that the further condition is implied that, in the event of the dispersion or transfer to other owners of any library which is made the recipient of the gift, the works are to be returned to the Governor of the colony in which the library is situated, for transmission to the Secretary of State, or to be disposed of as lie may direct, as it is desired to guard against the possibility of these valuable works ever being thrown upon the book-market. Should the library which you may recommend accept the terms and conditions of the offer, it is proposed that the works should be sent out through the Agent-General for the colony under your government. I have, &c, EDWAKD STANHOPE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Bib,— You are doubtless acquainted with the magnificent edition of the " Inferno " of Dante, in three volumes folio, compiled and arranged by George John, Lord Vernou, and brought out two or three years after his death by his son, Augustus Henry, Lord Vernon. The copies were very limited in number, and they were distributed only in presentation copies to public libraries, or to distinguished individuals. There are some spare copies siill remaining in sheets ; and the copperplates are also preserved and in perfect condition, though to make Vol. 111. complete fresh copies would have to be taken from the plates. The Dowager Lady Vernou is desirous of offering these copies to the libraries of certain selected public institutions, and by her Ladyship's instructions a copy is now offered to uii'der the following conditions—namely, that the recipients in each case would undertake the expense —(1) of binding the sheets into volumes; (2) of packing and carriage; (3) of printing the copies from the plates Tlecessary to complete Vol. 111. Lady Vernon wishes to offer also at the same time a copy of the large folio reprint (one 9—A. 2.