A.—2

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His Lordship would be glad if Mr. Stanhope should be able to suggest a satisfactory answer to this telegram ; but, in case of any doubt existing as to its meaning, he would desire Lord Onslow to rejgeat it. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, War Office. E. G. W. Heebeet.

Enclosure 2. The War Office to the Colonial Office. Sic,— War Office, Pall Mall, S.W., 10th September, 1889. I have had the honour to lay before the Secretary of State for War your letter of the 30th ultimo, forwarding a telegram from the Governor of New Zealand expressing the disappointment of the colony at the prospect of the abandonment of General Edwards's visit of inspection to that colony. Mr. Secretary Stanhope is unaware of the circumstances which have led to the abandonment of this part of the programme of General Edwards's tour of inspection ; but, there being objections to that officer's absence from his command for two consecutive years, proposes, with the concurrence of Lord Knutsford, that he be ordered by telegraph to proceed to New Zealand to inspect the local forces in that colony. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. H. G. Deedes.

Enclosure 3. The Colonial Office to the War Office. Sic, — Downing Street, 13th September, 1889. With reference to your letter of the 10th instant (092/483), I am directed by Lord Knutsford to request that you will inform Mr. Secretary Stanhope that he concurs in the proposal that General Edwards should be instructed to proceed to New Zealand to inspect the local forces in that colony. On being informed that such instructions have been sent, his Lordship will acquaint the Earl of Onslow with the result of his application. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, War Office. John Beamston.

Enclosure 4. The War Office to the Colonial Office. Sic,— War Office, Pall Mall, S.W., 16th September, 1889. With reference to your letter of the 13th instant, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for Lord Knutsford's information, that a telegram has this day been sent to Major-General Edwards, care of Governor, Adelaide, South Australia, to proceed to New Zealand to inspect the local forces in that colony. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. H. G. Deedes.

No. 31. (Circular.) Sib, — Downing Street, 19th September, 1889. I have the honour to enclose a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, stating that they have come to the conclusion, for the reasons given, that it is not desirable to continue the practice of allowing owners of colonial certificates granted under Orders in Council issued in accordance with the provisions of " The Merchant Shipping (Colonial) Act, 1869," to be examined for Board of Trade certificates of the same value, and suggesting that the Colonial Governments concerned should be requested to refuse applications from holders of certificates granted by the Government of any other British possession, or by the Board of Trade, to be examined for certificates of the same legal value. I shall be glad to be informed, at your earliest convenience, for the information of the Board of Trade, whether your Government is prepared to adopt the suggestion of that department. I have, &c, KNUTSFOBD. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. The Boaed of Tbade to the Colonial Office. Sic,— Board of Trade (Marine Department), London, S.W., 13th September, 1889. I am directed by the Board of Trade to state that in some few instances the holders of colonial certificates granted under Orders in Council issued in accordance with the provisions of