A.—2

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I have, when called upon to speak publicly, encouraged that feeling, and have also thrown the ship open to inspection in a way that has not hitherto been customary. Nearly all the towns in this colony being situated on or near the coast, and my visits having coincided with regattas and other occasions when the country people were also present, I am justified in saying that the presence and importance of the Boyal navy has been brought home to a very large proportion of the inhabitants, and I feel convinced that any objection that may have been felt as to paying the contribution does not now exist. I have, &c, The Commander-in-Chief, Australia. Edmund Bueke, Captain.

No. 4. (New Zealand, No. 13.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 30th April, 1892. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of the correspondence noted in the margin, between the Agents-General of the colonies concerned and this department, and between this department and the War Office, respecting the appointment of an Imperial officer on the active list to inspect and pass all warlike stores purchased in England on behalf of the Colonies of New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and New Zealand. I have, &c, Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of KNUTSFORD. Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &o.

Enclosure No. 1. The Agents-General to the Colonial Office. My Loed, — Westminster Chambers, 9, Victoria Street, S.W., 12th February, 1892. We have the honour to inform you that we have received from our respective Governments instructions to ask the War Office to appoint an Imperial artillery officer on the active list to inspect and pass all warlike stores purchased in England on behalf of the Australian Colonies and Tasmania. We have therefore to request that your Lordship will be so good as to communicate to the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for War the desire of our respective Governments, and to solicit compliance with their request. The conditions that it is desired should be observed in relation to this appointment are as follow: — (a.) The officer to be an artillery officer on the active list, who has been through the Artillery College and manufacturing departments, fully qualified in all respects to inspect and pass all warlike stores and materials, and who has full experience in ordnance and warlike stores of the latest types. He should also be a man of business capacity. (b.) The officer selected to have no interest in or business connection with any person, firm, or company making or selling warlike stores or materials, nor be allowed to receive any remuneration, commission, or reward of any kind from any person supplying such stores or materials for the Governments concerned. (c.) The appointment to be for five years, from the Ist April, 1892. (d.) Salary £800 per annum, with travelling-expenses to be allowed at the Imperial rates for field officers, and to be apportioned by the Agents-General amongst the colonies in accordance with the duties performed for each. (c.) It is probable that any clerical assistance which the inspecting officer might require could be afforded in respect of each colony by the Agent-General of that colony, in the same manner as is now done with regard to Major-General Steward. If otherwise, however, an allowance of £200 per annum to be made for the expense of a clerk and office-accommodation. (/.) The officer should be ex officio a member of the Ordnance Select Committee. We annex, for the further information of the War Office, a copy of a memorandum agreed to by the several Governments, detailing more fully the particulars of the services required from the officer and the emoluments attaching to the appointment. We shall be pleased to wait on the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for War to discuss this matter, if he should think it desirable. We have, &c, Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales. E. Beaddon, Agent-General for Tasmania. James F. Gaeeick, Agent-General for Queensland. Samuel Deeeing, Acting Agent-General for South Australia. A. Clack, Acting Agent-General for Victoria. The Bight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.