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No. 19. (New Zealand, No. 5.) Sir,— Downing Street, 21st January, 1887. With further reference to your Despatch No. 113, of the 17th November, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, stating that the Commander-in-Chief in Australia had been directed to report on the suitability of Auckland and Wellington as coaling-stations for Her Majesty's ships. I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &o.

A.-l, 1887, Sess. 1., No. 59.

Enclosure. The Admiealty to the Colonial Office. Sic, — Admiralty, 18th January, 1887. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, transmitting copy of a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand relative to the suitability of Auckland and Wellington as coaling-stations for Her Majesty's ships, and, in reply, I am to request that you will state to the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the Commander-in-Chief in Australia has been directed to report on the subject. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgeegoe.

No. 20. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, Ist February, 1887. In the year 1885 questions were raised, by the Governments of Canada and Victoria in relation to the Imperial pay and pension, and to the promotion in the Imperial service, of Imperial naval and military officers employed by Colonial Governments. Her Majesty's Government have had the subject under their consideration, and I have now the honour to enclose copy of a communication from the Lords Commissioners Of the Admiralty showing the arrangements which have been adopted in order to meet the views of the Colonial Governments. I may add that civilian pensioners will likewise be permitted to take service under Colonial Governments without suffering any deduction from the Imperial pensions. The correspondence on the subject, which is not yet quite complete, will be presented to Parliament; but the enclosure to this despatch is forwarded, to you in advance, as containing the decision arrived at. I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. The Admiealty to the Colonial Office. Sic, — Admiralty, 3rd December, 1886. With reference to previous correspondence relative to the general question of the employ • ment of naval and military officers in naval or military appointments under colonies which receive no contribution from Imperial funds, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, copy of a letter which they have received on the subject from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, dated 20th ultimo. * In view of the concessions contained in this Treasury letter, no further question appears to exist, and my Lords will accordingly take steps to procure the necessary Order in Council with regard to naval and marine officers. I am to add that my Lords propose departmentally to fix a limit, on these colonial appointments, of three years from date of taking up appointment. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgeegoe.

Sub-Enclosure 1. Sic, — Treasury Chambers, 20th November, 1886. I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to transmit herewith, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a letter which my