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Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 16th December, 1907. Adverting to despatch of the 10th November, 1906 (G.H. 192/1906), in which was enclosed a specimen page of the Admiralty flag-book, containing the New Zealand flags and the Governor's badge, the Prime Minister presents his compliments, and begs to request that the Secretary of State may be moved to authorise the substitution of the wreath of fern leaves —the emblem of the Dominion of New Zealand—for laurel leaves, as at present shown. J. G. Ward.

No. 33. (No. 9.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 12th March, 1908. . I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's despatch (Miscellaneous) of the 15th October last, on the subject of veterinary instruction at the Cavalry School. 2. My Ministers inform me that an endeavour will be made during the coming winter to collect the dried specimens of forage and poisonous plants so far as the limited number of expert officers at the Government's disposal will permit. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies. •

A.-2, 1908, No. 17.

No. 34. (No. 10.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 17th March, 1908. I have the honour to forward to Your Lordship, at the request of my Prime Minister, the enclosed copy of a letter from the Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands, suggesting that certain Islands in the Pacific should be placed under the jurisdiction of the Dominion of New Zealand. 2. In bringing it to your notice, I am desired to point out that the matter is of more importance than appears on the surface. Some of these islands will in future supply quantities of copra and it is considered that, if they were included in the Dependencies of New Zealand, monopoly would be prevented. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosures. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 14th March, 1908. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and attaches herewith copy of a letter from Colonel Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner for the Cook Islands, together with a minute by the Minister in charge, urging that certain islands in the Pacific should be placed under the jurisdiction of the Dominion of New Zealand, and would be glad if His Excellency will bring the matter under the notice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. J. G. Ward.

Sir, — Wellington, 19th January, 1908. I have the honour to bring before your notice that there are certain islands, the property of the British Empire, situated to the north of the New Zealand islands that ought to be placed under the authority or jurisdiction of this colony, viz. : — Christmas Island and valuable pearl-shell lagoon': Now leased to the Lever Brothers, and, in part, planted with cocoanut palms. Flint Island, east of Penrhyn : Leased to Lever Brothers, and planted with cocoanut palms. Maiden Island: Leased to Grice, Sumner, and Co., of Melbourne; now being planted with cocoanut palms, but is also a guano island. Starbruck Island: Lying waste; and one or two smaller islands in the vicinity. These islands are now under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of the Western Pacific, but that officer can, by reason of distance and want of communication, exercise no supervision over the said islands. Whatever trade or communication there may be is with Cook and northern islands of New Zealand; and I would point out that we find all the labour used in the islands, »nd therefore have a direct interest in the welfare of those people.

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