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No. 1. (New Zealand—No. 21.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 14th March, 1906. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, with reference to Mr. Lyttelton's telegram of 25th November, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule. I have, &c, ELGIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sir,— . Downing Street, 12th March, 1906. With reference to your recent private inquiry at this Department, and to the telegrams noted in the margin, copies of which have already been communicated to you, I am directed by the Earl of Elgin to inform you that later investigations have revealed the fact that the area affected by the famine in Japan is much more extensive than was at first supposed. 2. This fact and the sentiments of sympathy and goodwill manifested abroad by the offers of generous contributions to the relief fund have prompted the Japanese Government to decide on accepting the donations offered. They are grateful for the timely aid, and especially for the cordial feeling which finds an expression in the gift 3. 3. Meanwhile they are doing their utmost to cope with the situation, and hope, with the assistance rendered, to overcome the difficulties and alleviate the sufferings of the distressed people at a not very distant date. I have, &c, H. Bertram Cox. The High Commissioner for New Zealand.

No. 2. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 20th March, 1906. With reference to Mr. Lyttelton's circular despatch of the 12th November, 1903, I have the honour to request you to inform your Government that the officers of the Board of Trade, in conjunction with the authorities appointed to assign freeboards to vessels on behalf of the Board, have been engaged for some time in modifying the tables of freeboard in accordance with modern practice and experience. 2. The Board have now approved of the modifications recommended by their officers, and copies of the amended tables, which come into operation on the 20th instant, are transmitted herewith, together with a copy of a memorandum giving particulars of the principal alterations effected in them. I have, &c, ELGIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. Enclosure. Memorandum. Modification op the Tables of Freeboard. As regards steamers, the chief justification for the reduction of freeboard allowed by the revised tables of freeboard is found in the consideration that vessels having a large proportion of the length covered with strong deck erections may safely be loaded to a somewhat deeper draft than that allowed by the old tables, provided that all hatchways or other openings in their decks have strong and efficient means for closing them. The Table A freeboards remain the same as before up to a moulded depth of 27 ft. 6 in., and are also the same for depths from 42 ft. 6 in. upwards, but there is a slight reduction for depths from 28 ft. to 42 ft.

Enclosure. Memorandum. Modification op the Tables of Freeboard. As regards steamers, the chief justification for the reduction of freeboard allowed by the revised tables of freeboard is found in the consideration that vessels having a large proportion of the length covered with strong deck erections may safely be loaded to a somewhat deeper draft than that allowed by the old tables, provided that all hatchways or other openings in their decks have strong and efficient means for closing them. The Table A freeboards remain the same as before up to a moulded depth of 27 ft. 6 in., and are also the same for depths from 42 ft. 6 in. upwards, but there is a slight reduction for depths from 28 ft. to 42 ft.

Date. From To Subject. 2th March, 1906 .. Colonial Office .. *High Commissioner Famine in Japan. J for New Zealand