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copy of a letter from the Meteorological OH ice on the subject of meteorological returns from the Cook Islands. I have, &c., L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Sir, — Meteorological Office, South Kensington, London S.W., 23rd April, 1915. 1 beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 16607, of the 20th April, covering a copy of a despatch which has been received from the Governor of New Zealand. I am glad to learn that the Meteorological Branch of the Marine Department of the New Zealand Government has rainfall returns from four stations in the Cook Islands. I shall be happy to receive copies of these returns. Our general policy with regard to colouies which are responsible for the upkeep of their own meteorological stations is to transfer to the local authorities any •instruments which may have been lent to them under a former regime. The instruments on the list enclosed herewith are in charge of Mr. F. Mathews, Lloyd's agent, Rarotonga, and I am glad to lie able to place them at the disposal of the Marine Department of the New Zealand Government as a nucleus for the formation of a meteorological station. I am communicating with Mr. Mathews with reference to this transfer. I am &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. W. N. Shaw. List of Instruments in the Care op Lloyd's Agent, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Transferred from the Meteorological Office, South Kensington, to the Marine Department of the New Zealand Government as from 23rd April, 1915 : — One barometer, Adie, B.T. 773. One thermometer, Negretti and Zambra, B.T. 4890 (?). One maximum thermometer, N. and Z. M.O. 1630. One minimum thermometer, N. and Z. M.O. 1634. One rain-gauge, Pastorelli and llapkin, M.O. 374. One glass measure, M.O. 1404.

No. 18. ■* New Zealand, No. 227. My Lord,— Downing Street, 30th April, 1915. I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the usual number of bound copies of the statutes passed in the session of 1914 of the Imperial Parliament which are supplied for the use of your Government have been transmitted to you by book-post. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Karl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 19. New Zealand.—Honours. My Lord,— Downing Street, 12th May, 1915. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 47, of the 16th March, notifying the death on the 26th February of the Hon. Edward Richardson, C.M.G. 2. This intelligence, which has been received with regret, has been noted in the records of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G./M.V.0., &c.