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neously in Australasia and England, and that the whole body of candidates should be ranked in one order of merit, and appointments given up to the number of vacancies to those highest on the list, this proposal, though consistent with the Act, seems open to objections which, in the judgment of the Commissioners, must be fatal to its adoption. In the first place, the oral tests which in all the subjects form a part, and in many of the subjects a very important part, could not in the case of candidates in Australasia and England be conducted by the same examiner for all candidates in each subject—a condition which the Commissioners hold to be essential. Another serious objection is the delay which would unavoidably take place in declaring the result of the examination, owing to the time required for despatching to England the answers of the candidates examined abroad, and the further loss of time in sending out to those among the latter who might be successful the necessary instructions for their subsequent special studies. Even now the selected candidates have barely sufficient time for these studies, and any curtailment of this period would be a very serious evil. The Commissioners are moreover of opinion that, even if the open competition could be held concurrently in Australasia, the candidates could scarcely obtain the linguistic and legal training and instruction necessary before they could be finally appointed to the Service, or pass there the periodical and final examinations, the latter of which, as it determines the seniority in the Service, must be competitive. They would therefore be unable to concur with the recommendation that one of the colonial universities should be added to the list of those at which selected candidates are permitted to pass their probation. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, India Office. E. Poste.

No. 16. (New Zealand—Honours.) Sib,— ' " Downing Street, 15th June, 1887. I have the honour to inform you that the Queen has, on my recommendation, been graciously pleased to give orders for the promotion of Sir Edward William Stafford, K.C.M.G., to be a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. Governor Sir VV. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

No. 17. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 15th June, 1887. I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, requesting information respecting the laws and regulations for saving life at sea in force in the chief British colonies, which I shall be glad to be furnished with as regards the colony under your Government at your earliest convenience. I enclose copies of a paper printed for the use of the recent Colonial Conference on the subject of the preservation of life at sea. I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure 1. Sm, — Board of Trade (Marine Department), London, S.W., 3rd June, 1887. I am directed by the Board of Trade to state, for the information of the Secretary of State, that, in view of an inquiry now proceeding respecting the existing law as to the boats and lifesaving appliances of sea-going ships, they are desirous of ascertaining what is the practice in the principal colonies in dealing with the subject. The Board will therefore be glad if the Secretary of State will be good enough to cause the necessary steps to be taken for obtaining detailed statements of the laws and regulations in force concerning the boats and life-saving appliances required to be carried on board sea-going ships registered in the chief British colonies, showing the different rules applicable to passenger as compared with other vessels, and whether such regulations are enforced under statute or under the rules of some survey or register society. The Board will be glad if the informabion can be obtained with as little delay as possible. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Thomas Geat.