11

A.—2

Enclosure 1. Extract from a Letter from the University of London to the Colonial Office, dated the Ist June, 1887. I have the honour to make the following report upon the matriculation examination of this University held in January last in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Of the four Australian centres to which the examination-papers were despatched, candidates appeared at three —namely, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Hobart; and the candidates at all these centres have evinced unusual merit, as have also the New Zealand candidates. In New Zealand two candidates presented themselves. Of these, one (No. 1,287, Mr. C. G. Spencer, of Christ's College, Christchurch) has been placed next to the third in the original honours list, and the other (No. 1,293, Mr. C. T. W. Little) has been placed next to the fourteenth in that list. It is to be assumed that the Gilchrist Scholarship assigned to the Australian Colonies will be awarded to Mr. J. Sutherland, and that the scholarship assigned biennially to New Zealand will be awarded to Mr. C. G. Spencer; but with these awards the University has nothing to do. I will, however, communicate the result of the examinations to the Secretary of the Gilchrist Trust, by whom the awards will no doubt be officially announced to you. The private address of Mr. Sutherland is 1, Lytton Street, Carlton, Melbourne; and of Mr. Spencer is Marine Parade, Napier, New Zealand. In explanation of the long delay in rendering this report, I may say that, as, notwithstanding my repeated request, no information has again been received from the authorities at Sydney as to whether any examination was held there or not, we have been compelled to wait until it appeared probable, from the mere lapse of time, that no candidate actually presented himself at that centre. I enclose a few pass-lists for transmission to the several centres.

Enclosure 2. Sir, — 4, The Sanctuary, Westminster Abbey, S.W., 4th June, 1887. I have the honour to inform you that, by the pass-list of the University of London for the matriculation examination held in the colonies in January last, the successful candidate for the Australian and Tasmanian Gilchrist Scholarship is Mr. John Sutherland, of Melbourne, who is placed above the first in the original honours list; and for the New Zealand scholarship, Mr. Charles George Spencer, of Napier. The two scholarships are therefore awarded to those two candidates respectively, and I have to respectfully request that you will convey this information to the Governments of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, for the use of all whom it may concern, with the least possible delay. I have, &c, Henry A. Papps, The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Secretary. PS.—lt is requested that the scholars bring certificates of identity from the authorities.

No. 15. (New Zealand, No. 30.) Sir, — Downing Street, 13th June, 1887. I caused to be referred for the consideration of the Secretary of State for War, and for that of the Secretary of State for India in Council, a copy of your Despatch No. 122, of the 15th December last, with its enclosures, respecting a proposal that a small percentage of appointments to Woolwich and Sandhurst and to the Civil Service of India should be reserved for candidates in Australasia, and that special privileges in the way of local examination and probation should be conceded; and I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Ministers, copies of letters which have been received from the War Office and India Office in reply. I regret that the state of the law prevents the adoption of the proposals of your Government respecting Indian appointments. I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

• A.-l, 1887, I Sess. 1., No. 67.

Enclosure 1. Sib,— War Office, Pall Mall, S.W., sth May, 1887. With reference to your letter of the 2nd February last and its enclosures respecting a proposal th.Lt a small percentage of cadetships at Woolwich and Sandhurst should be reserved for candidates in Australasia, and that special privileges in the way of examination and probation should be conceded, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of Secretary Sir Henry Holland, that the question raised by the Governor of New