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3. My Government desire me to express a hope that at some future date it may again be possible to organize a scheme by which the people of these islands may have the opportunity of again hearing one of the distinguished bands of the British Army. 4. In conclusion, I am desired to request that you will kindly ask the Army Council to convey to the Royal Regiment of Artillery the best thanks of the Government of New Zealand and the authorities of the Auckland Exhibition for the use of their band. 5. It is fully realized by all in New Zealand that such visits do much to further Imperial duty and fellowship. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies

No. 59. New Zealand, No. 39. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 11th March, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 1, i of the 2nd January, relative to a reported excess of moisture in a shipment of butter from this Dominion to Honolulu. 2. My Prime Minister desires me to say, in reply, that the shipment in question was comprised of butter manufactured by the Cambridge Co-operative Dairy Company. Several samples of this company's butter have been tested by the officers of the Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce during the present season, but in no case' has the percentage been found to exceed 14-80, and the Department is therefore unable to explain the excess complained of. My Prime Minister adds that every effort will be made to ensure that all future shipments of butter do not contain a higher percentage of moisture than is allowed by law. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1914, No. 108.

No. 60. New Zealand, No. 44. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 19th March. 1914. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of correspondence, together with a copy of a memorandum which I have received from my Prime Minister, relative to the proposed establishment of a New Zealand Army Nursing Service Reserve. 2. It will be observed that in the penultimate paragraph of the Prime Minister's memorandum a request is made for the necessary authority for the affiliation of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service Reserve to the Imperial Army Nursing Service. 2. I nmy add that the question of the establishment of an army nursing service in this Dominion was first raised by Her Royal Highness Princess Christian of Schleswig Holstein in a letter to Lord Plunket, dated 25th May, 1907, a copy of which I enclose. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 16th March, 1914. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency the Governor, and in accordance with a wish expressed by Her Royal Highness Princess Christian of Schleswig Holstein, Presi-