A.—2.

IV. And We do hereby command all and singular Our Officers, Ministers, and loving subjects in Our said Dominion, and all others whom it may concern, to take due notice hereof, and to give their ready obedience accordingly. Given at Our Court at Saint James's, this Twentieth day of November 1907, in the Seventh year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command. Elgin.

No. 21.

(No. 109.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 29th November, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 81) of the 6th of October from which His Majesty's Government have learned, with great satisfaction, the intention of your Ministers to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations adopted at the recent Merchant Shipping Conference. I have, &c, ELGIN. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

A.-l, 1908, No. 19.

No. 22.

(No. 115.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 20th December, 1907. I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Ministers the paper noted in the subjoined schedule on the subject of the appointment of Vice Admiral Sir R. Poore, C.V.0., as Commander-in-Chief on the Australian Station. I have, &c, ELGIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sir, — Admiralty, 13th December, 1907. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies that Vice Admiral Sir Richard Poore, C.V.0., has been appointed to succeed Vice Admiral Sir Wilmot H. Fawkes, K.C.8., K.C.V.0., as Commander-in-Chief on the Australian Station and will take over the command at the end of February or the beginning of March 1908. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. C. I. Thomas.

No. 23. (Miscellaneous.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 27th December, 1907. With reference to my despatch " Miscellaneous " of the 22nd ultimo, I have the honour to transmit to Your Lordship a Dormant Commission passed under the Royal Sign Manual and Signet appointing the Chief Justice or the Senior Judge for the time being of the Supreme Court of New Zealand to administer the Government of the Dominion in the event of the death, incapacity or absence of the Governor, and Lieutenant Governor, if any. Your Lordship will observe that, from and after the date of the coming into operation of the Letters Patent dated the 18th ultimo and enclosed in the abovementioned despatch, this Commission will supersede the Commission dated the 22nd February 1879 appointing the Chief Justice or the Senior Judge of the Colony of New Zealand to be the Administrator thereof in the events therein specified. I have, &c, ELGIN. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 20.

18

Date. Description. 13th December, 1907 From Admiralty.