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No. 2. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular—2.) Sir,— Downing Street, 9th May, 1881. I have the honor to transmit to you, for information, a copy of a Circular Despatch which I addressed to the Governors of certain colonies on the 22nd of October last, enclosing a paper showing the proposed route of the detached squadron under the command of Hear-Admiral the Earl of Clanwilliam, C.B. I also enclose a copy of a letter from the Admiralty enclosing the particulars of the revised route. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government KIMBERLEY. of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 2. The Admiralty to the Colonial Office. Sic,— Admiralty, Bth April, 1881. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley, the revised route for the detached squadron under the command of Rear-Admiral the Earl of Clanwilliam, consisting of the " Inconstant," " Bacchante," " Tourmaline," " Carysfort," and "Cleopatra." 2. It will be observed that, after leaving the Australian station, the squadron will proceed to Yokohama, after which the original programme, communicated in my letter of the 18th October, 1880, will be reverted to. 3. It is requested that my letter of the 24th March, relative to the intended cruise of the squadron to Singapore, may be considered as cancelled. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Robert Hall.

Admiralty, April, 1881. Revised Route of the Detached Squadron under Rear-Admiral the Earl of Clanwilliam, C.B.

No. 3. ■Copy of a DESPATCH from the Bight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor the Hon. Sir A. H. Gordon. (General.) Sir, — Downing Street, 19th May, 1881. Her Majesty's Government have for some time past had under their •consideration the question whether the Crown Agents for the Colonies should continue to transact business for colonies under responsible government; and I am now in communication with the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope with a view to carrying into effect arrangements agreed to by my predecessor and the late Cape Government, whereby the agency in this country for the financial and general business of that colony may be transferred from the Crown Agents for the Colonies to a separate agent appointed by the colonial Government. 2. The office of the Crown Agents was, as you are aware, established primarily for the transaction of the business of Crown colonies, although they have been permitted to transact business on behalf of other colonies, upon the terms as to remuneration laid down in the circular despatches of the 31st December, 1863, and the 23rd January, 1868.

Leave Arrive Remain at Days. yape of Good Hope, 10th April... Melbourne, 1st June ... Sydney, 16th June Auckland,* 3rd July ...- ftji, 17th July Melbourne, 20th May Sydney, 6th June ... Auckland, 28th June Fiji, 13th July Yokohama,f between 26th August and 3rd September Melbourne Sydney Auckland Fiji 12 10 5 4 * Hobart Town may also be vi f In the original programme tl [sited, if time permits. he squadron were to have arrived at Yokohama o: tlie 3rd September.