A.—2a

4

I have no doubt that both these touching documents have been published in the colony under your government, but I have thought it right that they should be communicated to you officially for record in the archives of the colony. I have, &c, ENUTSFORD. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure No. 1. Whitehall, 27th January, 1892. The following letter from the Queen has been received by the Eight Honourable the Secretary of State for the Home Department: — " Osborne, 26th January, 1892. "I must once again give expression to my deep sense of the loyalty and affectionate sympathy evinced by my subjects in every part of my Empire on an occasion more sad and tragical than any, but one, which has befallen me and mine, as well as the nation. The overwhelming misfortune of my dearly loved grandson having been thus suddenly cut off in the flower of his age, full of promise for the future, amiable and gentle, and endearing himself to all, renders it hard for his sorely-stricken parents, his dear young bride, and his fond grandmother, to bow in submission to the inscrutable decrees of Providence. " The sympathy of millions which has been so touchingly and visibly expressed, is deeply gratifying at such a time, and I wish, both in my own name and that of my children, to express, from my heart, my warm gratitude to all. " These testimonies of sympathy with us, and appreciation of my dear grandson, whom I loved as a son, and whose devotion to me was as great as that of a son, will be a help and consolation to me and mine in our affliction. "My bereavements during the last thirty years of my reign have indeed been heavy. Though the labours, anxieties, and responsibilities inseparable from my position have been great, yet it is my earnest prayer that God may continue to give me health and strength to work for the good and happiness of my dear country and Empire while life lasts. "Victoria E. I."

Enclosure No. 2. The following official telegram has been received from Sir Francis Enollys, at Windsor Castle :— " The Prince and Princess of Wales are anxious to express to Her Majesty's subjects, whether in the United Kingdom, in the colonies, or in India, the sense of their deep gratitude for the universal feeling of sympathy manifested towards them at a time when they are overpowered by the terrible calamity which they have sustained in the loss of their beloved eldest son. " If sympathy at such a moment is of any avail, the remembrance that their grief has been shared by all classes will be a lasting consolation to their sorrowing hearts, and, if possible, will make them more than ever attached to their dear country. " Windsor Castle, 20th January, 1892."

No. 7. My Lord,— Downing Street, 2nd February, 1892. I have the honour to draw your Lordship's attention to my circular despatch of the 12th of January, 1891, and to request that I may be furnished with an expression of the views of your Government on the proposed issue of exequaturs to Consular officers appointed by the Chinese Government in the British dominions. I have, &c, ENUTSFORD. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Onslow, E.C.M.G.

A.-2, 1891, Sess. 11., No. 10.

No. 8. My Lord, — Downing Street, 4th February, 1892. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, a copy of a despatch from the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, in which he suggests that inquiries should be made with regard to the nationality of any master who applies for a license under the Pacific Islanders' Protection Acts. The difficulties which arose in the case of Edmunds will be seen from a perusal of a previous despatch from Sir J, Thurston, a copy of which is enclosed.