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6. It is neither possible to forecast vacancies nor to predict the chances of appointment, and the candidate may rest satisfied that having filled in his form in accordance with instructions he has done all that is requisite. It is a mistake to imagine that the personal or written applications of his relatives or friends will in any way further his chance. 7. All candidates must clearly understand that, while their wishes will be met as far as possible, they will be posted to vacancies as demanded by the interests of the service.

No. 156. New Zealand, No. 52. My Lord, — Downing Street, 13th February, 1912. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the paper noted below on the subject of the penny-postage agreement between New Zealand and French Oceania. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand. Date. Description, 6th February, 1912 .. .. From H.M. Ambassador, Paris. Enclosures. Sir,— Paris, 6th Febrhary, 1912. With reference to my despatch, No. 120—Treaty, of 27th November last, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a note from the French Minister for Foreign Affairs acquainting me that the penny-postage agreement between New Zealand and French Oceania cannot be put in force before the 14th instant, and that the Governor of French Oceania has been instructed to telegraph the date on which he will be in a position to apply the new postal agreement. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bart., M.P., &c. Francis Bertie. Monsieur Poincare to Sir Francis Bertie. L'Ambassade royale britannique a exprime le d£sir de connaitre la date de mise en vigueur de la Convention franco-anglaise abaissant a 0 fr. 10 le tarif dcs lettres simples entre la NouvelleZelande et Tahiti. Le texte dv decret dv 30 decembre, 1911. in sere an "Journal Offlciel " dv 31 decembre, et gui approuve la Convention precitee, ne devant parvenir dans la Colonie, au plus tot, que le 14 fevrier prochain, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que la promulgation a Papeete de I'Arrangement en question ne pourra avoir lieu qua cette date. Le Ministre dcs Colonies a cable au Gouverneui , dcs Etablissements francais de l'Oceanie, pour lvi demander de le fixer, par la meme voie, sur l'epoque a laquelle il compte pouvoir etre en mesure d'appliquer le nouveau regime postal. Le Ministere dcs Affaires Etrangeres se reserve de faire part a I'Ambassade britannique de la gui sera recue de cc haut fonctionnaire. Paris, 5 fevrier, 1912.

Enclosures. Sib,— Paris, 6th Febrhary, 1912. With reference to my despatch, No. 120—Treaty, of 27th November last, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a note from the French Minister for Foreign Affairs acquainting me that the penny-postage agreement between New Zealand and French Oceania cannot be put in force before the 14th instant, and that the Governor of French Oceania has been instructed to telegraph the date on which he will be in a position to apply the new postal agreement. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bart., M.P., &c. Francis Bertie.

Monsieur Poincare to Sir Francis Bertie. L'Ambassadb royale britannique a exprirne le desir de connaitre la date de mise en vigueur de la Convention franco-anglaise abaissant a 0 fr. 10 le tarif dcs lettres simples entre la NouvelleZelande et Tahiti. Le texte dv decret dv 30 decembre, 191], insero au "Journal Officiel " dv 31 decembre, et gui approuve la Convention precitee, ne devant parvenir dans la Colonie, au plus tot, que le 14 fevrier prochain, j'ai l'honneur de vous informer que la promulgation a Papeete de I'Arrangement en question ne pourra avoir lieu qua cette date. Le Ministre dcs Colonies a cfible au Gouverneui , dcs Etablissements franpais de l'Oceanie, pour lvi deniander de le fixer, par la meme voie, sur l'epoque a laquelle il compte pouvoir etre en mesure d'appliquer le nouveau regime postal. Le Ministere dcs Affaires Etrangeres se reserve de faire part a rAmbassade britaimique de la gui sera repue de cc haut fonctionnaire. Paris, 5 fevrier, 1912.

Approximate rout of Toper. —Preparation, not given; pnntinq (I,soocopies), £1.10.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.— l9l2. Price 3«.]

Date. Description, 6th February, 1912 From H.M. Ambassador, Paris.