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2. This application has not previously been communicated to you, as it related solely to recognition at Melbourne, but it is now understood that recognition is necessary in New Zealand also, as New Zealand is included in the Consular District of the Italian Consul-General at Melbourne. 3. I have to request you to recognize Cavaliere G. Ferrando accordingly, unless there is any objection, and to report when you have done so. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

Enclosure. Sir,— London, 12th October, 1911. Commandatore Mercatelli, Italian Consul-Ceneral at Melbourne, now on leave in Italy, is prevented by reasons connected with the service from returning to his post on the expiration of his term of leave. In these circumstances, the Italian Government have permitted Commandatore Mercatelli to confer on Cavaliere G. Ferrando the rank of Vice-Consul attached to the consulate at Melbourne, and to intrust him with temporary charge of that consulate. Cavaliere G. Ferrando is an Italian citizen, and. is not a " consul de carriere." As Commandatore Mercatelli, owing to his absence from Melbourne, cannot take steps to introduce Cavaliere G. Ferrando to the authorities at Melbourne and to obtain his recognition by them as Vice-Consul in charge of the Italian Consulate, I have the honour to ask you kindly to inform the said authorities that Cavaliere G. Ferrando has in fact received orders to take charge of the Italian Consulate at Melbourne until the return of the Consul-General to his post. I am, (fee, Sir E. Grey, Bart., M.P. Imperiali. No. 145. New Zealand, No. 18. My Lord,— Downing Street, 16th January, 1912. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Road Board conveying an invitation from the organizing council of the Third International Road Congress to be held in London in 1913 to the Governments of the oversea dominions and colonies to nominate representatives to take part in the congress. Copies of the memorandum and preliminary programme accompanying the letter are also enclosed. 2. I shall be glad if you will ascertain from your Ministers whether they would desire to be represented at the congress. I have, &o, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c. Enclosures. The Road Board, Queen Anne's Chambers, Broadway, Sir,— Westminster S.W., 22nd December, 1911. I am directed by the Road Board to state, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the Third International Road Congress will be held in London in 1913. Invitations have been issued through the usual diplomatic channels by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Governments of various countries (see list enclosed herewith) to take part in the congress, and it is anticipated that these invitations will be accepted. An organizing council has been formed to undertake and carry through the arrangements of the congress, the chairman of which is Sir George Gibb, the Chairman of the Road Board, and it appears to the council desirable that an invitation to take part in the proceedings should be extended to Colonial Governments and dependencies. I. am, therefore, to ask you to be so good as to move the Secretary of State, if he sees no objection, to cause invitations to be issued in the name of His Majesty's Government to the various Colonial Governments and Administrations inviting them to nominate representatives to take part in the congress. I enclose herewith—(l) a short memorandum dealing with the organization and objects of the congress; (2) a list of the London organizing Committee as at present constituted; and (3) a copy of the preliminary programme. I am, &c, W. Rees Jeffreys, Secretary. The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, Colonial Office.

No. 145. New Zealand, No. 18. My Lord, — Downing Street, 16th January, 1912. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Eoad Board conveying an invitation from the organizing council of the Third International Road Congress to be held in London in 1913 to the Governments of the oversea dominions and colonies to nominate representatives to take part in the congress. Copies of the memorandum and preliminary programme accompanying the letter are also enclosed. 2. I shall be glad if you will ascertain from your Ministers whether they would desire to be represented at the congress. I have, &c, L. HARCOITRT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

Enclosures. The Road Board, Queen Anne's Chambers, Broadway, Sir,— Westminster S.W., 22nd December, 1911. I am directed by the Road Board to state, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the Third International Roa,d Congress will be held in London in 1913. Invitations have been issued through the usual diplomatic channels by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Governments of various countries (see list enclosed herewith) to take part in the congress, and it is anticipated that these invitations will be accepted. An organizing council has been formed to undertake and carry through the arrangements of the congress, the chairman of which is Sir George Gibb, the Chairman of the Road Board, and it appears to the council desirable that an invitation to take part in the proceedings should be extended to Colonial Governments and dependencies. I am, therefore, to ask you to be so good as to move the Secretary of State, if he sees no objection, to cause invitations to be issued in the name of His Majesty's Government to the various Colonial Governments and Administrations inviting them to nominate representatives to take part in the congress. I enclose herewith —(1) a short memorandum dealing with the organization and objects of the congress ; (2) a list of the London organizing Committee as at present constituted; and (3) a copy of the preliminary programme. I am, &c, W. Rees Jeffreys, Secretary. The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, Colonial Office.