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No. 41. (New Zealand, No. 37.) Sir.,— Downing Street, 22nd May, 1886. A pamphlet entitled " The New Zealand Court: New Zealand Geological Survey Department," by Dr. James Hector, C.M.G., in connection with the Indian and Colonial Exhibition in London, was recently forwarded in the mail-bag to this department, with the compliments of the author. I request that you will cause my thanks to be conveyed to Dr. Hector for the copy which he has been good enough to transmit. I have, &c, GBANVILLE. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

No. 42. (New Zealand, No. 38.) Sin,— Downing Street, 26th May, 1880. I have the honour to transmit to you, for your information and guidance, and for that of your Government, copies of correspondence with the Foreign Office, as noted in the margin, regarding the intention of the Chinese Government to send a Commission to report on the social relations of Chinese subjects residing in British colonies. I have, &c, GBANVILLE. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

Enclosures. Sir,— Foreign Office, 19th May, 1886. I am directed by the Earl of Eosebery to transmit to you herewith copy of a note from the Chinese Minister at this Court announcing the appointment of a Commission to report on the social relations of Chinese subjects residing in the colonies of Great Britain, France, and Holland, and the conditions on which trade is carried on between them and China, and requesting on behalf of his Government that such facilities may be accorded to the members of the Commission as may best enable them to accomplish the object of their mission. I am to request that, in laying this note before Earl Granville, you will move his Lordship to cause Lord Eosebery to be informed what reply should be returned to this application. I have, <tc, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. P. W. Currie.

My Lord, — Chinese Legation, 11th May, 1886. In view of the great number of Chinese subjects residing in the colonies of Great Britain, France, and Holland, and the circumstance that up to the present there have, with the exception of at Singapore, been no Chinese Consular Agents to keep the Imperial Government informed of their movements, the Chinese Government have resolved on appointing a Commission for the purpose of reporting on their social relations, and the condition on which trade is carried on between them and the mother-country. I have therefore been instructed by the Isungli Yameii to request that your Lordship will have the goodness to cause the colonial authorities of the Straits Settlements, Australia, and the Dominion of Canada to be informed of this intention on the part of the Chinese Government, and also that Her Majesty's Government will be so good as to direct that such facilities may be accorded to the members of the Commission as will best enable them to accomplish the object of their mission. The Commission would consist of two members—General Wang Yung Ho and Prefect Vii Yeh. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Eosebery. Lew.

Sir,— Downing Street, 25th May, 1886. In reply to your letter of the 19th instant, I am directed by Earl Granville to request you to inform the Earl of Eosebery that the Governor-General of Canada and Governors of the other colonies specified in the margin (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, New Zealand, West Australia, Straits Settlements) will be informed of the intention of the Chinese Government to send a Commission to report on the social relations of Chinese subjects residing in those colonies. Lord Granville has no doubt that every courtesy will be extended to the members of the Chinese Commission. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office, B. H. Meade.