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clause (8), one-fifth of the mean sheer in inches at stem and sternpost, and one-fourth of the round of beam in inches. The number of persons to be allowed is to be found by dividing the area of the deck in square feet by the divisor obtained from the following table, provided that in the opinion of the surveyor the stability of the boat will be satisfactory with this number of persons on board :— Effective Depth of Boat. Divisor. lft. 4 in. and below 1 ft. 5 in. ... ... ... ... ... 4 - 9 1 ft. 5 in. ~ lft. 6in ... ... ... ... 4-5 1 ft. 6 in. ~ 1 ft. 7in ... ... ... ... 42 1 ft. 7 in. and above ... ... ... ... ... ... 3'B If the owner of the boat is not satisfied with the number of persons found by this approximate rule, he may at any time apply to the surveyors to witness a test of the boat in water, as provided for in clause (9), and the number of persons allowed is thereafter to be determined by the test, and not by the approximate rule. (11.) Stability. The centre of gravity of the persons carried in a decked boat is higher than in an open boat. If, in the opinion of the surveyor, the breadth of a decked boat is insufficient to provide the required stability he should require it to be tried afloat with weights on board representing the number of persons to be allowed, and until such a test has been made the number of persons as determined by the approximate rule (clause 10) should be reduced at the surveyor's discretion. (12.) Inspection. All new boats should be examined by a surveyor before the deck is completed, or the inside or outside of the hull is painted. The surveyors, as opportunities occur, should cause the hatches of decked boats to be removed, and should ascertain by inspection that the interior of the boat is in good condition, and, if the boat is filled with cork or other approved material, that the filling material is also in good condition. Decked boats on passenger steamers should be examined internally periodically. (13.) Marking of Boats. When the number of persons has been determined by testing the boat as described in clause (9) or clause (11) a metal plate is to be permanently fastened to the deck of the boat at the bow indicating the number of the decked lifeboat, the number of persons for which it has been tested, also the port, the date, the surveyor's initials, and the words " Board of Trade." The plates will be issued by the Board of Trade, and after the tests have been carried out the principal officer should make application for the plates required in each case, giving all the necessary particulars. A charge of Is. for each plate will be made. (14.) Surveyors should note that the numbers of persons to be allowed for decked boats of section (D) or (E) are not to be found in the manner' described by clauses (9) and (10), but, as provided in clause (3) of the statutory rule, in the same manner as for open boats.

No. 124. New Zealand, No. 371. My Lord, —- Downing Street, 27th October, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 122, of the 6th of September, expressing the thanks and appreciation of the Government and people of New Zealand for the gift by Their Majesties the King and Queen of portraits of Their Majesties to the primary schools in New Zealand. 2. I have duly laid your despatch before His Majesty the King. I have, &o, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c. No. 125. New Zealand, No. 373 a. My Lord,— Downing Street, Ist November, 1911. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of the 19th resolution of the Imperial Conference, 1911, respecting the securing of liberty for the • self - governing dominions, if they desire, to withdraw from certain commercial treaties binding on them, without impairing the validity of the treaties for the rest of the Empire. 2. I enclose a list of the treaties in question, together with coruVs of a despatch to His Majesty's Embassy in Italy and of a despatch to His Majesty's Embassies or Legations in the Argentine Republic, Austria-Hungary, Denmark, France, Morocco, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Venezuela.

No. 125. New Zealand, No. 373 a. My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist November, 1911. I have the honour to transmit to yon, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of the 19th resolution of the Imperial Conference, 1911, respecting the securing of liberty for the • self - governing dominions, if they desire, to withdraw from certain commercial treaties binding op them, without impairing the validity of the treaties for the rest of the Empire. 2. I enclose a list of the treaties in question, together with conies of a despatch to His Majesty's Embassy in Italy and of a despatch to His Majesty's Embassies or Legations in the Argentine Republic, Austria-Hungary, Denmark, France, Morocco, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Venezuela.

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