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Captain Murray.—Do I understand that night telegrams only operate between London and Aberdeen and not between London and Edinburgh? Mr. Herbert Samuel.—Only between London and Aberdeen and London and Belfast, as an experiment, to see what use is made of it by the public. If the circumstances justify, it will speedily be extended to other places. Mr. Mitchell-Thomson.—Has the cheapening of cable rates between Great Britain and the West Indies and British Guiana also engaged the attention of the Government; and, if so, will the right hon. gentleman be able later on to make a statement? Mr. Herbert Samuel.—The half-rate plain-language telegraph system will extend to, I think, practically all the Crown colonies. Mr. Charles Duncan.—At what hour will the night telegrams to Belfast and Aberdeen be accepted ? Mr. Herbert Samuel.—Up to midnight at any head office. At local offices in the different parts of London they will have to be handed in earlier. Regulations will very shortly be published on the subject. They can also be sent by telephone or by post. Mr. MacCallum Scott.—ls not there a better place than Aberdeen?

No. 135. New Zealand, No. 400. My Lord, — Downing Street, 13th December, 1911. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a circular instruction which has been issued by the Board of Trade to Consuls, Superintendents, and officers in British possessions abroad on the subject of ships' agreements. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c. Enclosure. Instructions to Consuls, Superintendents, and Officers in British Possessions Abroad.— Vessels carrying Two Agreements. (Circular 1514.) Board of Trade (Marine Department), November, 1911. When the crew of a vessel is engaged on two agreements in different terms, and possibly for different periods, the following note is to be made on the top of page 1 of each agreement by the officer before whom the second agreement is opened : " Supplementary to an agreement opened on the at for a period not exceeding years." This will avoid misunderstanding on the part of officers at Home and abroad with whom the agreements, or one of them, may be deposited. H. Llewellyn Smith, Secretary. Walter J. Howell, Assistant Secretary. No. 136. New Zealand, No. 403. My Lord,— Downing Street, 16th December, 1911. I have the honour to request that you will inform your Ministers that an application has been received from the Uruguayan Minister at this Court -for the issue of an exequatur to Mr. William J. Prouse as Vice-Consul for the Republic at Wellington. A copy of the application is enclosed. As this gentleman is resident in Wellington, I have to request that you will report whether there is any objection to his appointment; and, if not, that you will recognize him provisionally in that capacity until the arrival of the exequatur, and report when you have done so. I have, &o, L. HARCOURT. The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand. Enclosure. Sir,— London, 6th December, 1911. I have the honour to inform you that my Government have appointed Mr. William J. Prouse to be Vice-Consul for the Republic at Wellington.

Enclosure. Instructions to Consuls, Superintendents, and Officers in British Possessions Abroad. — Vessels carrying Two Agreements. (Circular 1514.) Board of Trade (Marine Department), November, 1911. When the crew of a vessel is engaged on two agreements in different terms, and possibly for different periods, the following note is to be made on the top of page 1 of each agreement by the officer before whom the second agreement is opened : " Supplementary to an agreement opened on the at for a period not exceeding years." This will avoid misunderstanding on the part of officers at Home and abroad with whom the agreements, or one of them, may be deposited. H. Llewellyn Smith, Secretary. Walter J. Howell, Assistant Secretary.

No. 136. New Zealand, No. 403. My Lord, — Downing Street, 16th December, 1911. I have the honour to request that you will inform your Ministers that an application has been received from the Uruguayan Minister at this Court for the issue of an exequatur to Mr. William J. Prouse as Vice-Consul for the Republic at Wellington. A copy of the application is enclosed. As this gentleman is resident in Wellington, I have to request that you will report whether there is any objection to his appointment; and, if not, that you will recognize him provisionally in that capacity until the arrival of the exequatur, and report when you have done so. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sir, — London, 6th December, 1911. I have the honour to inform you that my Government have appointed Mr. William J Prouse to be Vice-Consul for the Republic at Wellington.

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