A.—2

4

Sib, New York, 4th February, 1908. I have the honour to enclose a copy of a letter which was handed to me by Miss Anna Walsh, of the Little Sisters of the Poor, written by a Solicitor in Auckland, New Zealand, stating that a document witnessed by the Acting Vice Consul was not in accordance with the- requirements of the laws of New Zealand, together with a copy of my reply. The contention of Mr. Mahoney appears to be quite incorrect, and as it might possibly lead to trouble in the future I have thought it advisable to bring it to the knowledge of the Department. I have etc., Sir Edward Grey, Bart, C. W. Bennett, His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Consul General. Miss Anna Walsh, e/o The Little Sisters of the Poor, Patterson N.J. You and ors to Manning. Dear Madam, The conveyance came duly to hand. Unfortunately however your execution was witnessed by the " Acting Vice Consul " whereas our law requires the attestation of either a Consul, Acting Consul or Vice Consul, but there is no mention in the Act of Acting Vice Consul. It is therefore necessary to have a Deed of Confirmation signed by you and lam now enclosing same for your signature. Please act on my previous instructions as quickly as possible and show this letter to the Consul and see that the official who attests your signature is either a Consul General, Consul, Acting Consul or Vice Consul, but not Acting Vice Consul and that the Consular Seal is attached. I would .also ask you to return the deed either direct to me or through the Good Mother at Auckland and thereby save time as there is now a regular, monthly mail via 'Frisco and I have had to give personal undertaking to the Purchaser's Solicitor to provide the Deed of Confirmation with as little delay as possible to induce him to settle the purchase with me without waiting until I had written and heard from you. Yours faithfully, Edmond Mahoney. Sir, British Consulate General, New York, 4th Feby. 1908. Miss Anna Walsh called here to-day and executed the documents which you returned as not being legally completed according to the laws of New Zealand. I would draw your attention, however, to the Act 54 and 55 Vie. Chap. 50, entitled an Act to amend " The Commissioners for Oaths Act, 1889 " Sec. 2 which reads as follows :— "In section 6of ' The Commissioners for Oaths Act, 1889 ' after the words ' Consular Agent' shall be inserted the words ' Acting Consul General, Acting Vice Consul and Acting Consular Agent. , " Yours faithfully, (sgd) C. W. Bennett, Edmond Mahoney Esq., Solicitor, Auckland, New Zealand. Consul General. Sir,— Downing Street, 6th March, 1908. In reply to your letter (No. 5263) of the 22nd of February, I am directed by the Earl of Elgin to request that you will lay before Secretary Sir E. Grey the enclosed copies of two reports from the Government of New Zealand on the subject of the attestation of documents for use in that Dominion, from which it will be seen that no provision is made for the acceptance of an attestation by an acting Vice-Consul. 2. Lord Elgin is advised that the Imperial Act 54-55 Vict. Cap. 50 is not in force in New Zealand. I am etc., (Sgd.) C. P. Lucas. The Under Secretary of State, Foreign Office.

No. 5. No. 54. My Lokd, Downing Street, 2nd April, 1908. With reference to the correspondence on the subject of Merchant Shipping legislation in Australia and New Zealand, recently presented to Parliament (Cd. 3891) I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, copy of a letter from the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom communicating a Resolution passed at the Annual Meeting of the Chamber to the effect that in the opinion of the Chamber legislation in the British Dominions affecting British ships not registered in nor engaged in the coastal trade of the Dominion should not impose upon suchf'ships any restrictions beyond those imposed by the Imperial Merchant Shipping Acts.