A.—2,

18

reply, to state that I hope to complete the seal for the Government of New Zealand in about two months' time, provided no accident occurs to the steel in hardening or otherwise. I have, &c, Alfred B. Wyon, Edward Wingfield, Esq. Chief Engraver of H.M. Seals.

No. 28. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to the Officer Administering- the Government of New Zealand. (No. 41.) Sir, — Downing Street, 3rd November, 1880. "With reference to my Despatch No. 31, of the 7th ultimo, and to previous correspondence respecting the matriculation examination of London University in New Zealand, I have the honor to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, copies of a letter which I caused to be addressed to the Registrar of the University upon the subject, and of Mr Milman's reply I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government KIMBERLEY. of New Zealand.

Enclosure 1 in No. 28. The Colonial Office to the University of London Sir,— Downing Street, 13th October, 1880. I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, respecting the matriculation examination recently held in New Zealand in connection with the Gilchrist Scholarship. Lord Kimberley, while regretting that the examination should have been held so long a time after that fixed by the regulations, would point out that it was practically impossible for the authorities in the colony to arrange to have it held at an earlier date. The examinationpapers did not reach this department till the 22nd of May, so that, even had they been forwarded by the Brindisi mail of the 4th June, they could not have arrived at Wellington till after the middle of July It appears from Mr Habens's letter, enclosed in the Governor's Despatch No. 52 (a copy of which was forwarded to you in the letter from this department of the sth instant), that no intimation had been received in the colony of the impending examination, and that therefore it was not possible to give notice to all parts of the colony and to assemble candidates at one place until some time after the arrival of the papers. It could hardly therefore have been expected that the examination could have been held in the colony at an earlier date than that at which it actually took place, and Lord Kimberley trusts that, seeing that the colonial authorities did all in their power to carry out the directions contained in your letter of the 21st May last, the Senate of the University may not insist on cancelling the examination, but may allow it as valid. I am to request that you will be so good as to submit this letter to the Senate, and to inform his Lordship of their decision as soon as may be practicable ; since, if a second examination is to be substituted in January, the colonial authorities should be apprised by telegraph, and the examination-papers sent out at an early date. I have, &c, The Registrar of London University E. Wingfield.

Enclosure 2 in No. 28. The University of London to the Colonial Office. University of London, Burlington Gardens, W., Sik,— 28th October, 1880. Having submitted your letter of the 13th instant to the Senate at its meeting held yesterday, I am directed to request that you will be so good as to inform the Earl of Kimberley that the Senate, under the circumstances of the case, will not raise any objection to the matriculation examination recently held in New Zealand on the ground of the late date at which it took place, if it should appear that the examination was otherwise conducted consistently with the ordinary regulations of the University I have, &c, Arthur Milman, Edward Wingfield, Esq., &c. Registrar.