A.-2

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No. 14. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 14th September, 1885. With reference to my predecessor's circular despatch of the 27th June, 1884,1 have the honour to transmit to you, for information and publication in the colony under your government, a copy of " The Submarine Telegraph Act, 1885 " (48 and 49 Viet., c. 49). The date for bringing the Act into force must depend on the day to be agreed on, in pursuance of Article XVI. of the Convention, in the Schedule, for bringing the Convention into force, which has not yet been fixed. I have, &c, FRED. STANLEY. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Published in Neiv Zealand Gazette, No. 71, 17th December, 1885.

No. 15. (New Zealand, No. 61.) Sir, — Downing Street, sth October, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 97, i of the Ist August last, enclosing copy of a letter addressed to you by the Defence 1 Minister relating to the services performed by Major Cautley, R.E., in connection with the defences of New Zealand. I appreciate the services rendered to the colony by Major Cautley, and I have caused a copy of your despatch and its enclosure to be communicated to the Secretary of State for War. I have, &c, FRED. STANLEY. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

A.-IA, 1885, No. 67.

No. 16. (New Zealand, No. 62.) Sir,— Downing Street, 13th October, 1885. I have the honour to transmit to you, for any observations which your Government may desire to offer, a copy of a letter from Lloyd's, representing that British marine insurance companies establishing branches in New Zealand for effecting marine insurances are compelled to pay a tax on capital, and to submit their accounts periodically for the inspection of the Colonial Government. I have, &c, FRED. STANLEY. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.0.M.G., C.8., &c.

Enclosure. Sin,— Lloyd's, E.C., 2nd October, 1885. I am instructed by the Committee of Lloyd's to beg that you will be good enough to inform the Secretary of State for the Colonies that it has been brought under the notice of the Committee that British marine insurance companies who may wish to establish a branch in New Zealand for effecting marine insurances are compelled to pay a tax on capital, and are also under the legal necessity of submitting their accounts periodically for the inspection of the Government. As it appears unjust that, when New Zealand companies are enabled to establish branches in this country for underwriting purposes without any tax being made upon their capital, the same facilities are not afforded to British marine insurance associations in New Zealand, I am to beg that you will be good enough to move the Secretary of State for the Colonies to allow such representations as Colonel Stanley may see fit to be made to the Government of New Zealand, with a view to this special tax being abandonedjjy the New Zealand Government. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, John B. Watson, Colonial Office, S.W, (for the Secretary.) 2—A. 2.