35

A.—2

Enclosure 2. Sir, — Admiralty, 9th June, 1886. Eeferring to your letter of the 27th April last, requesting that a ship might be sent to hoist the British flag on the Kermadec Islands, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the decypher of a telegram dated this day, No. 15, from Bear-Admiral Tryon, and to inquire whether the abovementioned service will admit of delay. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan MacGbegok.

Telegeam No. 15, from Bear-Admiral Tbyon, C.B. Despatch: Sydney, 9th June, 1886, 2.50 p.m. Eeceipt: Admiralty, 2.15 p.m. " May I delay sending to Kermadec Islands for a short time? Vessels all away save 'Nelson.' Your No. 14 received."

Enclosure 3. Sic,— Downing Street, 17th June, 1886. With reference to your letter of the 9th instant, and to previous correspondence respecting the steps to be taken for the annexation of the Kermadec Islands, I am directed by Earl Granville to acquaint you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the despatch of a vessel for the purpose of hoisting the British flag and proclaiming the Queen's sovereignty over those islands may be delayed. I have, &c, The Secretary to the Admiralty. E. Wingfield.

No. 47. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 21st June, 1886. I have the honour to inform you that my attention has been called by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to the expediency—for the purpose of maintaining discipline in Her Majesty's ships in colonial waters —of embodying in the laws of the colonies provisions similar to those contained in section 12 of Act 16 and 17 Viet., cap. 69, a copy of which is enclosed. I shall be glad if your Government will take this matter into consideration, with a view of legislation, in the sense desired by the Board of Admiralty, in the colony under your government. 1 have, &c, GEANYILLE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 48. (New Zealand, No. 42.) Sib, — Downing Street, 25th June, 1880. I have the honour to transmit to you a translation of a petition to the Queen which, has been received at this office through Sir John Gorst, M.P., signed on behalf of the Arawa chiefs in connection with the Church of England, praying that Her Majesty would give a bell for their church. I request that you will obtain for me a report upon.the subject, showing particularly what-sized bell would be suitable. The chiefs who signed the petition should be informed that I have been unable to submit their application for Her Majesty's consideration, pending the receipt of a report and recommendation from the local Government, and that I am not able to give them any assurance that their request can be entertained. I have, &c. GRANVILLE. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

Enclosure. Ohinemutu, Township of Botorua, Provincial District of Auckland, in the Colony of New Zealand, 17th April, 1886. To Her Majesty the Queen of England. May it please youb Majesty,— We, your humble subjects, aboriginal natives of New Zealand, desire to present our greetings to you, the preserver of both the peopfe and the land of New Zealand, upon the great mercy of our Father in the Highest. This is a prayer from us, your New Zealand Maori subjects, that you may grant us a bell for our church about 24ft. round and 7ft. high—a bell for the use of all Maori Church-of-England residents in all the districts of Te Arawa. This is to show your love.