19

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8. Solve the equations— 2(te+36 7a +12 _ A.x 86 . 25 9a;-16 8 25' 6x + 9 J _3x + sy_^ Xj _3x + ±\ -rT + 4a:-6~ 4 2 I 8-J/ + 7 6z-3y_, 4y-9f; 10 2?/-8 9 j a(a + b)x-b(a-b)y=a 3 + b 3) a[a — b)x-{-b(a + b)y=a 3 —6 3}" 9. At a certain time the population of the North Island is to the South Island as ato b; and when the former has increased p per cent., and the latter q per cent., it is found that the total population of both Islands is c. Find the population of each Island before the increase.

English. — For Senior Civil Service. Time allowed : Three hours. Paper No. I.—Composition, Precis, &c. [All the Questions are to be attempted.] 1. Make a short abstract, schedule, or docket of the accompanying despatch and enclosures. 2. Draw up a memorandum or precis: i.e., a brief and clear statement of what passed, not letter by letter, but in the form of a narrative. Directions. (1.) The object of the abstract, schedule, or docket is to serve as an index. It should contain the date of each letter, the names of the persons by whom and to whom it is written, and, in as few ivords as possible, the subject of it. The merits of such an abstract are : (1) to give the really important point or points of each letter, omitting everything else ; and (2) to do this briefly, (3) distinctly, and (4) in such a form as to catch the eye readily. (2.) The object of the memorandum or precis, which should be in the form of a narrative, is that any one who had not time to read the original correspondence might, by reading the precis, be put in possession of all the leading features of what passed. The merits of such a precis are: (1) to contain all that is important in the correspondence, and nothing that is unimportant; (2) to present this in a consecutive and readable shape, expressed as distinctly as possible; (3) to be as brief as is compatible with completeness and distinctness. You are recommended to read the whole correspondence through before beginning to write, as the goodness both of the abstract and of the precis will depend very much on a correct appreciation of the relative importance of the different parts. Brevity should be particularly studied. 3. Bewrite the following passage so as to avoid its intricacy, ambiguity, illogical order of ideas, and separation of words and phrases that are closely connected by grammar. The words and order may be changed, but no idea is to be omitted : — But this, though resolved with so much secrecy that it was not communicated to three persons (as I have been since assured by those who knew), whether by the treachery of one of those few, or by the curiosity of others (which I rather believe), who found means to overhear all private discourses (as both bedchambers were inhabited, and every corner possessed, by diligent spies upon their master and mistress), was imparted to those who procured those orders before-mentioned for Hull and Portsmouth; by reason whereof, and the advice and promise of many lords that they would firmly unite themselves for the just support of the regal power, with the extreme apprehension the queen had of danger, that counsel was laid aside. 4. Write a short essay on one of the following subjects :— (a.) The character of Falstaff. (b.) Shakespeare's representation of history in "Henry the Fourth" and "Henry the Fifth." (o.) "Henry the Fourth" and "Henry the Fifth" as throwing light upon Shakespeare's life. (d.) The humour of the Essays of Elia.

CORRESPONDENCE FOR ABSTRACT- AND PRECIS-WRITING. No. 1. The Chief Seceetaby, Queensland, to the Peemiee, New Zealand. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 18th February, 1887. I have the honour to forward to you the enclosed copy of a letter which has just been received from the Government Agent of the Queensland Pacific Island labour-schooner "Helena" by the Assistant Immigration Agent at Bundaberg, with reference to the movements of the French authorities in the New Hebrides. I have caused our Agent-General in London to be informed by cable of the statements contained in Mr. Cecil's report; and a copy of the report itself has been forwarded to Sir James Garrick, with the request that it may be laid before our Premier, who is now on his way to London, for such action as may be deemed necessary. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier of New Zealand, Wellington. James E. Dickson.