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1888. NEW ZEALAND.

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. (New. Zealand, No. 22.) Sib,— Downing Street, 15th April, 1887. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 20, of the 23rd February, enclosing extracts from New Zealand journals with reference to the recent disturbances in the Friendly Islands. I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &o.

A.-l. 1887, Sess. 11., No. 13.

No. 2. (New Zealand, No. 23.) Sib,— Downing Street, 26th April, 1887. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, with its enclosure, respecting the Governor of South Australia's recent application to the Commander-in-Chief on the Australian station for the examination, by the officers of Her Majesty's ship " Nelson," of Mr. Clarkson for the position of Chief Engineer of the " Protector." I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

Enclosure. Sib,— Admiralty, 19th April, 1887. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to forward, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the enclosed copy of a letter addressed by the Governor of South Australia to the Commander-in-Chief on the Australian station, requesting that Mr. Clarkson may be examined by the officers of Her Majesty's ship " Nelson " as to his fitness for the position of Chief Engineer of the " Protector," and also that all examinations in future should be conducted in a similar manner. 2. My Lords have sanctioned this request in the case of Mr. Clarkson; but, with regard to the general question, they are of opinion that it would be advisable for the colonial authorities to prepare the regulations which they consider suitable for their fleet with reference to the qualifications of their officers, and to submit the proposed rules for their Lordships' concurrence, as affecting the officers of the Eoyal Navy who are to act in the capacity of examiners; observing that the regulations for the practical examination of engineer officers of the Royal Navy given in the Queen's Regulations (Articles 308-317) would, it is presumed, form the basis of the proposed rules. 3. I am to request that you will move the Secretary of State to cause the necessary communications to be made to the colonial Governments concerned. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgbegob. I—A. 2.