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of ten officers, one surgeon, one veterinary surgeon, and 249 non-commissioned officers and men; also 279 horses. I append a nominal roll. The names are reported to me as accurate, but the numbers attached are subject to correction, and a corrected list will be forwarded from Albany. 2. By the s.s. " Undaunted," which sailed a few days later, ninety-six horses were despatched, consisting of thirty presented by Otago as remounts to the New Zealand First Contingent, and sixty-six sent to Lord Eoberts as remounts for the Xew Zealand troops, or for any other purpose he may prefer. 3. The ceremony of the departure from Christchurch was witnessed by avast crowd of enthusiastic people, and the whole route to the station where the troops entrained for Lyttelton, about two miles, was lined with onlookers, every point of vantage being filled ; the crowd cheering the Contingent continuously throughout the march. 4. At Lyttelton, where the embarkation and final farewell ceremony took place, some forty thousand people were present, and their enthusiasm and loyalty was equal to the demonstrations earlier in the day. 5. I might add that the reception accorded to me, as Her Majesty's representative, was second to none I have received since my arrival in the colony. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 10. (No. 22.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 9th April, 1900. I have the honour to enclose you a copy of a memorandum I have received from my Premier. I have, <fee, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. In view of the diffipulties lately experienced in procuring vessels to convey this colony's Contingents to South Africa, the Premier begs respectfully to request that His Excellency will be good enough to represent to the Imperial Government the expediency of authorising Colonial Governments, by legislation if necessary, to commandeer vessels of the British mercantile marine that may be suitable to be used as troopships, should occasion arise to render it necessary to do so. E. J. Seddon. Premier's Office, Wellington, sth April, 1900.

No. 11. (No. 28.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 25th April, 1900. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand—No. 77) dated the 24th November, 1899, dealing with Samoa and the convention with Germany, I have the honour to enclose herewith a memorandum from my Premier bearing on that subject. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Premier presents his compliments, and has the honour to return to His Excellency the Governor the despatch (No. 77) from the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies in respect to Samoa's convention with Germany, with the accompanying documents, and would respectfully remark: — 1. The convention made between Great Britain and Germany regarding the disposition of the Navigator Group shows that the predictions uttered about thirty years ago by the New Zealand Ministry have been verified. The Ministry at that time urged the annexation of Samoa, and, ever