3

A.—l

2. I am desired by my Ministers to convey to the Imperial authorities the grateful appreciation of the New Zealand Government for the liberal manner in which they are providing expenses for the due representation of the United Kingdom at the Exhibition. 3. My Government also tender their thanks for the help promised in arranging for the collection of exhibits to be sent to the colony on behalf of His Majesty's Government. I have, &c, The Secretary of Stale tor the Colonies. PLUNKET.

No. 5. (No. 27.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 17th May, 1906. I have the honour to inform you that I have been requested by my (iovei nment to bring to the notice of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty certain facts and recommendations with reference to the employment of colonials in the Royal Navy. 2. So far as this colony is concerned, it is believed to be in the best interests of the men and of the naval service that the extra payments to the men on the drill-ships should be made as follows : one-third whilst serving; two-thirds on completion of the term of service. 3. My Ministers gather that the results up to the present time have not been satisfactory, and a return that has been made shows that the men are spending the larger portion of their pay as soon as received, and it is feared that the objects for which the money is expended are injurious to the health of the men. 4. It is also considered most desirable that the men should be transferred from the drill-ships to one or other of the ships of the home squadron. They would then get a full and efficient training, which my Government learn on reliable authority is not the case at present. Under these circumstances they desire to urge and recommend a change in the conditions of service. 5. My Ministers state that the chief point to be considered is whether or not men would offer for service under the proposed altered conditions. They are inclined to think that on the whole it would not make much difference in this respect, but that the fact of knowing that at the end of the term there would be a fairly large sum of money to their credit would prove attractive to the men. I have, &c., The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET.

No. 6. (No. 32.) My. Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 30th May, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's circular of 20th March, and to inform you that the tables of freeboard therein contained ll will be used in New Zealand in accordance with the provisions of subsection (3) of section 207 of " The New Zealand Shipping and Seamen Act, 1903." I have, &c, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET.

1.-2, 1907, $o. 2.

No. 7. (No. 34.) Dear Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 19th June, 1906. In my telegram of 11th June I had the honour to inform you of the sudden death of mv Premier, the Right lion. R. J. Seddon. Although it was general knowledge that for the past two or three years Mr. Seddon's health had from time to time given his friends grave cause for anxiety, he had on the whole been considerably better lately, and the news of his death came as a great shock, and was hardly credited at "first.