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No. 54. New Zealand, No. 154. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 21st December, 1911. With reference to your despatch, No. 347, of the Bth October, relating to the question of the channel through which communications on military subjects from the self-governing dominions should be made to the Imperial military authorities, I have the honour to inform you that my Government has noted the changes which it has been decided to make in connection with such correspondence, and that it agrees with the proposals enumerated in your despatch. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 55. New Zealand, No. 155. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 27th December, 1911. With reference to my telegram of the 15th December, acquainting you of the result of the general elections, and stating that the Honourable Sir John Findlay was defeated at the polls, I have the honour to inform you that he has resigned his position as a member of the Legislative Council and the portfolios he holds as Minister of Justice and Attorney-General. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 56. New Zealand, No. 159. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 27th December, 1911. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum, dated the 22nd December, which I have received from my Prime Minister, relative to the nomenclature of one of the New Zealand mounted rifle regiments. The regiment in question is now known as the 2nd (WellingtonWest Coast) Mounted Rifles, and it is desired to ascertain whether His Majesty the King will be pleased to approve of the designation of the regiment as " Queen Alexandra's " or " Queen Alexandra's Own." I have, &c. ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 57. New Zealand, No. 160. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 28th December, 1911. I have the honour to transmit to you, by request of my Ministers, the accompanying copies of Ordinances of the Cook Islands, namely : — The Public Health (Insanitary Buildings) Ordinance, 1911, No. 32 (three copies). The Shipmasters' Certificate Ordinance, 1911, No. 33 (three copies). The Cook Islands Hospital Ordinance, 1911, No. 34 (three copies). I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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