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clearing. If a master refuses, he is liable to a penalty of £20. There is no power to put him on oath, nor is there provision for punishment in case of false answers. I understand in some cases the master gets sealed instructions, and does not know his destination until he is clear of the coast. I think the second paragraph of the letter signed "E. Goodwin," page 6 of the despatch, makes it clear that all efforts to get at real ports of destination would be ineffectual even if clearances for Guam were refused, and heavy penalties threatened in case of false statements being made. W. T. Glasgow, 21st September, 1887. Secretary, Marine Department.

Memorandum for the Hon. Sir J. Vogel. The practice of entering outwards and obtaining clearances for Guam is adopted by owners and masters of vessels when they desire to keep secret the destination of their vessels. I do not see how any effectual means can be adopted at the port of departure for ascertaining the real destination of vessels. If clearances for Guam arc; refused, the name of some other foreign possession will be substituted with the same object. Legislation by the Imperial Parliament, applicable to all British ships, might impose a penalty on the master of any such ship for deviation of voyage or discharging cargo at any port other than that named in vessel's clearance, penalty to be sued for when the fact became known to any Customs or Consular officer; but this could not operate against foreign vessels, so that any restriction of the kind named in respect of British vessels would simply have the effect of causing merchants to charter foreign vessels for conveyance of cargoes the destination of which they desired should not become known. W. Seed, 14th September, 1887. Late Secretary, Marine Department.

No. 16. (No. 92.) Sm, — Government House, Wellington, 15th October, 1887. I have the honour to forward herewith a petition to the Queen from the Chancellor and Council of the University of Otago, an institution now affiliated to the University of New Zealand, praying that Her Majesty may be pleased to grant Letters Patent under which degrees conferred by the University may be recognised in the same manner as those conferred by any University in the United Kingdom. I forward also a counter-petition from the Chancellor and Senate of the University of New Zealand, tracing in outline the circumstances under which the University became, as at present, the sole institution in the colony possessing the power to confer academic degrees, and submitting that there are no sufficient grounds for granting the application made by the University of Otago. I entirely concur in the view of the question taken by the counter-petition, and am of opinion that the granting of the request of the Council of the University of Otago would have an injurious effect upon the prospects of the University of New Zealand. I understand, moreover, that the request is far from meeting with the unanimous approval of the Professors of the Otago University itself. I enclose additional counter-petitions from the Colleges of Auckland and Canterbury, which are affiliated to the University of New Zealand, and also one from former students of the University of Otago. These indicate the opinion of a large majority of those in the colony who have the interests of the New Zealand University at heart, and, having been prepared as soon as the intention of the Council of the Otago University was rumoured, were received by me at an earlier date than the petition from the latter body. I have, &c, W. F. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. Sir Henry Holland, Bart., M.P., G.C.M.G.

No. 17. (No. 93.) Sm, — Government House, Wellington, 15th October, 1887. I have the honour to "transmit herewith copies of the Speech with which, on the 12th instant, I opened the First Session of the Tenth Parliament of 2—A. 1.