A.—2-

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If such is the case My Lords would be glaci if they could be furnished with any particulars which may be available and which might prove useful to the Admiralty, as regards the progress of the oil industry in the Dominion. I am etc., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. (sgd) C. I. Thomas.

No. 30. New Zealand, No. 200. My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist December, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, enclosing copies of a list which has been prepared in that Department, showing the alterations which have been made in the book of " Instructions to Registrars of Shipping " since it was issued in 1901. 2. I shall be glad if your Ministers will take steps to distribute the list to the Registrars of shipping in New Zealand. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure. Sib, Marine Department, 7 Whitehall Gardens, London S.W. 20th November, 1908. I am directed by the Board of Trade to forward to you the accompanying two hundred copies of a list which had been prepared in this Department showing the alterations which have been made in the book of " Instructions to Registrars of Shipping " since it was issued in 1901, and to suggest for the consideration of the Earl of Crewe that they might be transmitted to Registrars of Shipping in the Colonies for their information. It will be observed that some of the information contained in this list has already been communicated to the Registrars of Shipping abroad, and that certain of the alterations apply only to Registrars in the British Islands, but the Board consider that Registrars abroad will find it convenient to have a list showing all the alterations in a compact form. I have etc., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Waltkr J. Ho well.

No. 31. New Zealand, No. 201. My Lord, Downing Street, 4th December, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a Circular letter which has been addressed, by the direction of the Home Secretary, to Recorders and Chairmen of Quarter Sessions and the various Benches of Magistrates throughout England calling attention to the undesirability of giving any public or official encouragement or assistance to the emigration of persons guilty of offences against the law of this country. 2. The Secretary of State has also communicated in the matter with the Judges of the King's Bench Division of the High Court. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord-Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure.

Sib, Home Office, Whitehall, S.W. 13th November, 1908. I am directed by the Secretary of State to inform you that his attention has at times been called to cases in which persons convicted of offences in this country have been released without punishment or have received modified sentences upon condition of their emigrating to some part of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas or upon an undertaking by their friends to assist them in so emigrating. The Secretary of State has recently had before him the case of an offender who was arrested for burglary and whose friends, on his appearance in Court, stated that they desired to send him to Australia. The charge was reduced to one of larceny, and the prisoner was bound over to come up for judgment when called on : and arrangements were made for his emigration. Shortly after landing in Australia this emigrant was convicted of larceny and false pretences ; the circumstances of his emigration were the subject of discussion in the Commonwealth House of Representatives, and a representation on the übject has been made by the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth to the Home Secretary,