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I am not aware of any precedent for the granting of a nomination of the nature applied for; but it will, lam sure, be a source of satisfaction to the people of this colony if the request can be complied with ; and I trust that, should your Lordship see no objection to such a course, you will submit the application for the favourable consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. I have, &c, W. E. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. the Earl Granville, K.G.

Enclosure. Memoeandum for His Excellency. Premier's Office, Wellington, 9th June, 1886. The Premier has the honour to forward the accompanying application from Mr. William Seed on behalf of one of his sons for the position of engineer student in Her Majesty's dockyards. Ministers submit that the admission of colonial youths to Her Majesty's dockyards would be highly advantageous, and respectfully request His Excellency to favourably recommend to the consideration of Her Majesty's Government the desirability of such a privilege being extended to the colonies. Mr. Seed, as His Excellency is aware, is the permanent head of the Customs and Marine Departments, and has been forty years in the public service. The Premier has much pleasure, therefore, in recommending his son's application to favourable consideration. Eobekt Stout.

Sub-Enclosure. Bra,— Wellington, 7th July, 1886. Many years ago the Admiralty made a generous regulation under which youths from the various colonies can be nominated to cadetships in the Eoyal navy, and recently the Imperial Government have opened a similar avenue for sons of colonists to enter the army. Whilst gratefully recognizing the privilege already granted by the Admiralty, in placing a career in the executive branch of the Eoyal navy within reach of their sons, many colonists, I believe, would, for various reasons, agree with me in esteeming it a still greater privilege if their sons could obtain admission as engineer students in Her Majesty's dockyards, with a view to their being trained for service afloat as engineer officers in Pier Majesty's service. If you concur in the view that the appointment of colonial youths to the engineer branch of the naval service would be advantageous on public grounds, and if you would communicate on the subject with the Imperial Government, the Admiralty might be induced to entertain the proposal favourably, and be disposed to sanction the periodical'nomination of colonial youths as engineer students. In the event of this privilege being conceded, I would respectfully ask for a recommendation for a son of mine to be so nominated. He is just sixteen years of age, and has been for some years, and still is, at school at the Wellington College. If he should be successful in obtaining a nomination, I have every confidence that he will conduct himself creditably, and I shall feel very grateful for the privilege of having him placed in so honourable a position. I have, &c, William Seed. The Hon. Sir Eobert Stout, K.C.M.G., Premier of New Zealand.

No. 31. (No. 68.) 'My Loud, — Government House, Wellington, 27th July, 1886. With reference to your Lordship's Despatch No. 36, dated 20th May last, transmitting a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade respecting a sum of $10,000, the payment of which has been authorized by the United States Government by way of compensation to the late owner, officers, and crew of the whaling barque " Chance," on account of indirect losses caused to them in connection with the rescue of shipwrecked crews of the American whaling fleet in the Arctic. Sea in September, 1871, 1 have the honour to inform your Lordship that, in accordance with your Lordship's request, I have caused inquiries to be made by my Gi-overnment with a view of obtaining the names of any persons residing in this colony who are entitled to share in the compensation, but they have failed to discover any persons in New Zealand who have a claim to any portion of the sum voted by the United States Government. I have, (So., W. F. DEUMMOND JEKVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl Granville, K.G.

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