A.—l.

No. 38. (No. 71.) Sir,-— Government House, Wellington, 10th July, 1901. In reply to your despatch (General), dated the 19th April, 1901, relative a.-: to the Argentine training-ship " Presidente Sarmiento " visiting this colony, I No ' have the honour to inform you that this vessel has now arrived in New Zealand, and my Government' have issued instructions that all reasonable facilities be granted to the officers of the training-ship to enable them to visit certain establishments of interest. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

-2, 1902, . 35.

No. 39. (No. 74.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 17th July, 1901. I have the honour to forward you herewith for your favourable consideration a claim for £5,000 made by a Mr. E. Trist Searell, of Armagh Street, Christchurch, on behalf of his mother, Mrs. Harriet Searell, for the murder of her daughter in China on or about the 30th June, 1900. The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, 'I have, &c, Secretary of State for the Colonies. EANFUELY.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Premier presents his compliments to His Excellency, and, in accordance with a communication from the Colonial Office to the Agent-General for New Zealand, bearing date the 17th December, 1900, a copy of which is hereunto annexed, transmits correspondence supporting a claim for £5,000, made by Mr. R. Trist Searell, on behalf of his mother, Mrs. Harriet Searell, for the murder of her daughter, Miss Edith Searell, by the Boxers on or about the 30th of June, 1900. Premier's Office, Wellington, 12th July, 1901. R. J. Seddon.

Sib, — Colonial Office, Downing Street, S.W., 17th December, 1900. With reference to the letter from this department of the 29th ultimo, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to inform you that a letter has been received from the Foreign Office, stating that any claim for compensation in respect of Miss Searell's murder in China that may be made on behalf of her mother will be considered, together with those of other British subjects, when the question of indemnities is dealt with. Any such claim should be made through the Government of New Zealand, and forwarded to this department for transmission to the Foreign Office. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. H. Bebtkam Cox.

Sir,— 272, Armagh Street West, Christchurch, 20th November, 1900. As I was unable to see you personally during your short stay here, I am taking the liberty of laying my case before you in writing. My parents, three brothers, and two sisters arrived in Lyttelton in the ship " Canterbury " in June, 1865, from London. We were all born in England—myself, brothers, and sisters—near Chudleigh, in Devonshire; hence are all British subjects; but as my present letter has only to do with one of my sisters, allow me to trace her life. In 1895, or thereabouts, she felt impelled to offer herself as a missionary for China to the China Inland Mission (with its headquarters in Melbourne). After the usual examination, &c, she was accepted, and shortly afterwards started for China, where she safely arrived. After a short stay at Ghefoo she was sent into the interior, where she continued to work with a Miss Whitchurch until the 30th June, 1900, when they were both brutally murdered by the Boxers. We received official news of this about two months ago from the headquarters of the C.I.M. at Melbourne, which fact was circulated in all the papers issued in this colony, and probably in the Home papers. I forward herewith Lyttelton Times of the 28th July, Ist August, and 14th September ; also Press of the loth November, which contain accounts of the murder. My father died in 1890, leaving my mother and sister not well provided for. On my mother's behalf I desire to forward a claim for £5,000 against the Chinese nation for this brutal murder. I am advised that you are the proper person to forward this claim to, and shall esteem it a very great favour if you will order such steps to be taken in the matter as will bring it before the proper authorities for their consideration when terms of peace with China are arranged. Thanking you in anticipation, believe me, &c, Hon. R. J. Seddon, &c, Premier. R. Teist Seabell,

3-A. 1.

17