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A.—2

Enclosure 2. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Foreign Office, 12th September, 1889. I am directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to transmit to you, to be laid before Lord Knutsford, with reference to your letter of the 17th July last, the accompanying despatch and enclosures (Mr. Dering, No. 130, Commercial, September 9) reporting the inability of the Italian Government to take part in the New Zealand Exhibition. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V. Lister.

Sub-Enclosures. Mr. Dering to Lobd Salisbury. My Lobd, — Eome, 9th September, 1889. In accordance with the instructions contained in your Lordship's Despatch No. 61, Commercial, of the 26th July, I communicated to the Italian Government copy of the official programme of the Education and Science Department of the proposed New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, and made known to them the wish of the New Zealand Government that they should contribute to this section of the Exhibition. I have now received a reply from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, copy and translation of which I have the honour to enclose, stating that, owing to the short space of time remaining before the date fixed for the opening of the Exhibition, it is, they regret to say, impossible for them to accept the courteous invitation of the New Zealand Government. I have, &c, The Marquis of Salisbury, K.G., &c. Heney Nevill Debing. Monsieur le Charge d'Affaiees, — Eome, 4th September, 1889. You were good enough to inform me, in your note of the 29th July last, that an Educational Exhibition would be held in Dunedin (New Zealand) from November next until April, in which the Governor of that island was desirous that Italy should participate. I beg to thank you for the above communication, and at the same time to inform you that the Italian Government regret that they are unable to accept this courteous invitation, it being impossible, owing to want of time, not only to order the necessary materials, but also to distribute efficaciously the programme of the Exhibition in question. I avail, &c, Bianchi, H. N. Dering, Esq., &c. (For the Under-Secretary of State.)

No. 29. Telegram from the Seceetaey of State.—l7th September, 1889. Referring to your telegram of 27th August, Secretary of State for War has instructed Edwards to proceed to inspect New Zealand forces.

A.-1,1890,N0. 17

No. 30. (New Zealand, No. 29.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 17th September, 1889. I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to your Lordship, with reference to your telegram of the 27th ultimo, a copy of a correspondence which has taken place between this department and the War Office with reference to the visit of General Edwards to inspect the forces of New Zealand. The decision in this case was telegraphed to you on the 17th instant. I am, &c, The Earl of Onslow. ROBERT G. W. HEEBEKT.

Enclosure 1. The Colonial Office to the War Office. Sir,— Downing Street, 30th August, 1889. With reference to previous correspondence respecting the inspection of the Australasian local forces by Major-General Edwards, C.8., I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid before Mr. Secretary Stanhope, a copy of a telegram 'from the Governor of New Zealand respecting the movements of that officer. The telegram, which has been badly coded, appears to have been intended to read somewhat as follows : " Much disappointment in colony at abandonment of Edwards's visit to New Zealand. Ask War Office to inform General Officer Commanding, by telegraph, whether I may announce that the visit will not be deferred later than the early part of next year."