67

A.—2

It is a fundamental condition of holding these examinations that the sub-examiners to conduct them should be appointed directly by the Governors of the several colonies. With the questions are enclosed—(l) The conditions on which colonial examinations are held; (2) two copies of the latest regulations for degrees in arts ; (3) instructions for the sub-examiner; (4) a supply of admission-cards ; (5) a pattern answer-book; (6) a sheet from the Register of the University, on which the sub-examiner will cause each candidate to make the entries prescribed by the above-mentioned instructions, and which must be returned with the answers of the candidates. I am to request that the packets may be despatched in time to allow of the examination commencing at each centre on Monday, the 25th October. The New Zealand candidate (Mr. H. M. Livins, of Auckland), having already presented himself once for the examination (in 1880), is on this occasion excused from payment of any fee. It is also requested that the candidates' answers, together with the register-sheets, may be forwarded to the University, as usual, immediately upon their arrival. If, however, no candidate should appear at either of the centres none of the papers in the packet need be returned to England; but the Eegistrar should be advised of the fact.

No. 90. (Circular.) Sic, —■ Downing Street, 6th September, 1886. I have the honour to transmit to you, for information in the colony under your government, copy of a Treasury warrant empowering British chaplains to attest declarations subscribed by pensioners, &c. I have, &c, EDWARD STANHOPE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Treasury Warrant. — British Chaplains abroad empowered to attest Declarations subscribed by Pensioners, etc. After our hearty commendations : Whereas by a warrant of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, dated the 20th September, 1878, it was directed that the declarations, under the annual Appropriation Acts, of persons claiming any part of a grant for half-pay, or army, navy, or civil non-effective services, might be subscribed in foreign countries before certain British diplomatic and consular officers, and certain notaries public or other persons described in Schedule C annexed to the said warrant : And whereas it is expedient to add certain ministers of religion to the persons specified in that schedule : Now, wo, being two of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, do hereby order and direct that the above-mentioned declarations may be subscribed by the following additional persons, who are hereby added for that purpose to Schedule C of the said warrant, viz.:— C. In Foreign Countries. —3. British ministers of religion abroad, resident for the time being in the places or districts of attestation, and duly licensed by ecclesiastical authority in the United Kingdom to officiate as chaplains in those places or districts. Witness our hands this twenty-fourth day of August, 1886. Sidney Heebeet. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall. Herbert Maxwell.

No. 91. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 7th September, 1886. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office, requesting to be informed whether the charges levied on Spanish vessels in ports in British colonies are the same as those paid by British vessels. I shall be glad to be informed, at your earliest convenience, whether any difference of treatment between (a) British and Spanish vessels, (b) British vessels and those of any other Power, exists in the colony under your government, and, if so, that its nature may be explained. I have, &c, EDWARD STANHOPE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sir,— Foreign Office, 31st August, 1886. With reference to previous correspondence respecting British commercial relations with Spain and Spanish colonies, I am directed by the Earl of Iddesleigh to state that his Lordship