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honor to inform you that I am of opinion that the rule laid down in 1855, as to the precedence of the Superintendents of the Provinces of New Zealand, should be adhered to, and I have therefore to instruct you that during the presence of the Governor in any Province, the Superintendent of that Province should not be placed above other high officers of the Government who may be there with the Governor, but that in the absence of the Governor from the Province,the Superintendent should have precedence over all others in the Province, including any officer of the Government who may reside in the Province or happen to be there on a visit. As regards ex-Ministers who have received Her Majesty's permission to retain the title of honorable within the Colony, I approve of the adoption of the rule prescribed for New South Wales, which gives them precedence according to the dates in the order of the first appointment of each to the Executive Council after the existing Executive Councillors. I have, &c., KIMBEELEY. Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart.

No. 17. Copy of DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 62.) Sir,— Downing Street, 24th September, 1873. I caused a copy of your Despatch No. 50, of the 30th June, to be communicated to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and I transmit to you a copy of a letter from their Lordships, expressing their regret that they are unable to comply with the request of your Government for the grant of one of Her Majesty's vessels as a training ship for the education of boys for the Colonial Mercantile Marine. I have, &c, KIMBEELEY. Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart.

Sept. 18, 1873.

Enclosure in No. 17. Captain Hall to the Undee Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. Sic,— Admiralty, S.W., 18th September, 1873. lam commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, enclosing a copy of a Despatch from the Governor of New Zealand conveying the request of his Government for the grant of one of Her Majesty's vessels as a training ship for the education of boys for the Colonial Mercantile Marine, and to request that you will inform the Earl of Kimberley that my Lords regret that they are unable to incur the expense of sending a ship to New Zealand for this purpose. 2. I am farther to state, with reference to the request for the " Rosario," that that vessel is required in England. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. Robeet Hall.

No. 18. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 66.) Sir, — Downing Street, 30th September, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that a letter has been received from the Board of Treasury, stating that a warrant has been issued appointing the Auditor of the Civil List, Mr. "William Law, to act on behalf of that Board, and carry into effect their guarantee in respect to bonds to be issued under the provisions of the New Zealand (Bonds, &c.) Loan Act of last Session (36 and 37 Vict. cap. 15), to