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Yoi i! Excellency,— Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 17th August, 1910. 1 summoned the Federal Council of the Cook Islands to meet me on the 30th day of July last in order to inform them officially of the sad news of the death of His late Majesty King Edward the Seventh, and also to administer the oath of allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth. Upon receiving the news of His late Majesty's death the members of the Council were very much affected and in tears. They have requested me to convey to Your Excellency, as His Majesty's representative for the Dominion of New Zealand, their sincere sympathy, and to ask that you may be pleased to forward to the proper authorities the two enclosed addresses, respectfully expressing their condolence, as children of the Empire, to His Majesty the King, Queen Mary, and to Queen Alexandra, as well as to the other members of the lioyal Family, upon the occasion of the death of their well-beloved Sovereign, and also their congratulations to King- George the Fifth on His Majesty's accession to " The Throne of His Ancestors," and their continued loyalty. They desire me to add that their earnest prayers to the Almighty are that His Majesty's reign may be happy, long, and prosperous. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner. His Excellency the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, Wellington.

No. 35. New Zealand, No. 121. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 16th September, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch of the 12th July last, No. 145, transmitting copies of a new rule for life-saving appliances on ships; and, in reply, beg to enclose herewith copy of a similar rule which has been made for the Dominion, and was published in the 'New Zealand Gazette of the Bth instant. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, Governor. The Right Lion, the Earl of Crewe, K.G., P. 0., &c, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 36. New Zealand, No. 122. My Lord— Government House, Wellington, 16th September, 1910. I have the honour to transmit herewith copy of a memorandum received from my Prime Minister, covering a communicaion sent to him by the Rev. Andrew Gray, clerk to the presbytery of Mataura, Gore, containing a resolution with reference to the death of His late beloved Majesty King Edward VII and the accession of His Majesty King George V. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, Governor. The Right Hon. the Earl of Grewe, K.G., P.C., &c, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1911 JSTo. 87.

No. 37. • New Zealand, No. 125. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd September, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch, No. 155, of the 19th July last, with reference to the Defence Act, 1909, and the liability of retired officers in the Militia to be recalled to service; and, in reply, to inform you that my Ministers have noted the liability of such officers to be recalled up to fifty-five years of age. The prior claim of the Army Council on the services of these officers is admitted by my Government. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, Governor. The Right Hon. the Earl of Crewe, K.G., P.C., &c, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1911 No. 47.