5

A.—2

Moss as British Eesident in the Cook Islands, and enclosing, with other documents, copies of the instructions which you had given to Mr. Moss after consultation with your Advisers. These instructions appear to me to be carefully framed, and to define clearly the duties which the Eesident will be called upon to perform. I have to convey to you the appreciation entertained by Her Majesty's Government of the gift of Queen Makea of a site for a residency in Earotonga. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Onslow, &c. KNUTSFOED.

No. 6. (Circular.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 13th May, 1891. I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of your Government, that at the International Bailway Congress which met in Baris in 1889 it was decided to fix St. Betersburg for the next meeting, which is to take place in 1892. As the International Committee of the Congress sits in Brussels, the Belgian Government has addressed invitations to foreign Governments to send representatives to the assembly of the Congress at St. Betersburg next year; and a note has now been received by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from the Bussian Ambassador at this Court expressing the concurrence of the Bussian Government in this action, and formally inviting Her Majesty's Government and the British colonies to send representatives to the Congress. I have to request that you will inform me whether your Government accepts the invitation, and in that case by whom it will be represented, together with the full names and designation of the delegate. The actual date in 1892 which may be fixed by the Bussian Government for the meeting of the Congress will be communicated to you as soon as it is made known to me. I have, &c, KNUTSFOED. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 7. (New Zealand, No. 20.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 4th June, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Despatch No. 26, of the 17th April, transmitting a copy of a resolution passed at a recent meeting of the General Assembly of the Bresbyterian Church in New Zealand, urging the propriety of strengthening the hands of Mr. Moss with the view of providing means for the total prohibition of the drink traffic in Earotonga, and representing the desirability of the suppression of the traffic generally among the natives of the South Seas. I request that you will cause the Assembly to be informed that the resolution was duly forwarded in accordance with their request, and that it has been received in this department. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Onslow, &c. KNUTSFOED.

A.-l, 1891, Sess. 11., No. 19.

No. 8. (New Zealand, No. 21.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 4th June, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 22, of the 4th April, respecting your visit to the country occupied by the Tuhoe or Uriwera Tribe. I have read your Lordship's account with much interest. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Onslow, &c. KNUTSFOED.

, A.-l, 1891, Sess, . 11., No. 16.