A.—2.

12. They would be glad if your Ministers would (in conjunction with the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia) take early steps for the selection of a delegate to represent them at the Conference, and inform me by telegraph of the earliest date at which he could reach England, in order that the necessary arrangements may be made and a definite time fixed for the assembling of the Conference, as it is the desire of His Majesty's Government that the measure should be submitted to Parliament during the present session. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor, the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 24. (No. 19.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd February, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 3rd instant reporting that a service was held outside the Houses of Parliament, at Wellington, on the occasion of the funeral of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, and that similar services were held throughout the colony. I have duly laid your telegram before His Majesty the King. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 25. (No. 22.) My Lord, — Downing Street, sth March, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 88). of the 6th December, 1900, respecting the proposed survey of the coasts of New ] Zealand. I caused your despatch to be referred to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and I now transmit to you a copy of the reply which I have received. Your Government will, no doubt, inform Commander Combe direct of the places selected for survey, in accordance with the desire expressed by the Admiralty. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1901, No. 49.

Enclosure. Sib,— Admiralty, 20th February, 1901. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 31st ultimo, enclosing copy of a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand on the subject of the survey of the New Zealand coasts. My Lords desire me to request you will inform Mr. Secretary Chamberlain that it is hoped H.M.S. " Penguin," Commander J. W. Combe, will be able to undertake surveying in New Zealand waters during the present year. She will probably arrive from Sydney in May, and as it is most likely that surveying cannot be economically carried on during the winter on open coasts, I am to request that some more sheltered localities, where surveys could most usefully be carried on, may be named in addition to Coromandel Harbour and Tauranga approach, and that Commander Combe may be directly informed by the New Zealand Government of the places selected. I am, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. Evan Macgbegob,

2,

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