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Board of Trade, Marine Department, 7, Whitehall Gardens, Sib,— London, S.W., 13th September, 1899. I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th ultimo, enclosing a copy of a letter from Admiralty regarding the use by New Zealand vessels of the red ensign with the colonial badge in the fly, and requesting that Mr. Secretary Chamberlain may be informed what answer the Board would suggest should be sent as regards paragraphs 1 and 4, Lord Eanfurly's despatch (No. 36) of the sth July, 1898. In reply I am to state, for Mr. Chamberlain's information, that it has not been found possible to show in the new edition of the International Code of Signals the badges used by any of the Colonial Government steamers on the blue or red ensigns, as the insertion of such details would add considerably to the size of the book and to the cost of its production. A note has, however, been added against the illustration of the blue ensign which appears on page iv. of the new code, to the effect that the new ensign with a badge is used by Home and Colonial Government departments. As regards the omission from the revised code of a signal to be used by vessels requiring the services of a tug at night, I am to say that the number of night signals in the code has been made as small as possible, in order to minimise the risk of confusion which might arise from the indiscriminate use of such signals, and, having regard to the views expressed by the chief foreign maritime powers on the subject of night signals, it is not considered desirable to add to the number at present. I have, &c, Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. H. W. Pelham.

By the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &o. Whereas we deem it expedient that New Zealand registered vessels shall be permitted to wear the red ensign of Her Majesty's fleet with the badge of the colony on the fly thereof: We do therefore, by virtue of the power and authority vested in us, hereby warrant and authorise the red ensign of Her Majesty's fleet, with the badge of the colony of New Zealand in the fly, to be used on board vessels registered in the colony. Given under our hands and the seal of the Office of Admiralty, this 7th day of February, 1899. Peed. G. D. Bbdpoed. A. W. Mooee. By command of their Lordships—Evan MacGeegob.

No. 16. (No. 60.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd September, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your despatch (No. 57), of the 4th ultimo, forwarding a report on the operation of the Old-age Pensions Act. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Banfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1900, No. 16.

No. 17. (General.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 23rd September, 1899. In reply to your Lordship's despatch (No. 43), of the 6th July, I have the honour to inform you that the Queen has been pleased to approve of Sir James Prendergast, late Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, bearing the title of "Honourable" for life within the colony, under conditions set out in Lord Carnarvon's circular despatch of the 29th August, 1877. 2. I regret that the second request of your Premier cannot be complied with, as the rule relating to the recognition of the title " Honourable " throughout Her Majesty's dominions does not extend to Judges. I have, &c, J. CHAMBBELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Banfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1900, No. 11.

No. 18. (No. 61.) My Lokd,— Downing Street, 26th September, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 45), of the Bth July last, respecting the gift to Her Majesty the Queen of a piece of land by a chief of Mangaia, in the Cook Islands.

A.-l, 1900, No. 13.