A.—2

8

No. 13

(No. 42.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 28th August, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you herewith, for communication to your Government, a copy of an address to Her Majesty from the House of Commons, asking that there may be laid before the House a return of any State regulations in force in the colonies named to secure the honest administration of trusts ; and as to the office and remuneration of a Public Trustee. I shall be obliged if you will move your Ministers to supply the information desired by the House of Commons so far as the colony under your Government is concerned, so as to enable the returns to be laid upon the Table of the House, if possible, at the commencement of the next session of Parliament. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 14. (No. 44.) My Loed, — Downing Street, sth September, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, with reference to your despatch, No. 13, of the 12th of May last, a copy of the undermentioned document, respecting the question of the supply to New Zealand of Martini-Henry rifles. I have, &c, E. M. MEADE, For the Secretary of State. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. Date. Description o£ Document. 29th August, 1894 ... ... ... War Office to Colonial Office.

Enclosure. Sic,— War Office, Pall Mall, S.W., 29th August, 1894. With reference to your letter of the 26th June last, transmitting a copy of a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand with a memorandum from the Premier suggesting that the Government of the colony should be allowed to obtain, at a reasonable price, five thousand or more MartiniHenry rifles from this department, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of the Marquis of Eipon, that the Martini-Henry rifle is still the arm of a considerable portion of the auxiliary forces, and that the number available for disposal is very limited, but that used serviceable arms could be supplied at three-quarter rates, or new (Mark IV.) could be supplied at full Vocabulary rates. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Ealph Thompson.

No. 15. (No. 54.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 6th December, 1894. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of a letter from the Admiralty reporting the appointment of Eear-Admiral C. A. G. Bridge as Commander-in-Chief on the Australian station. Eear-Admiral Bridge has just completed a term of service as Director of Naval Intelligence at the Admiralty, in which capacity he has represented that Board at the deliberations of the Colonial Defence Committee, and is consequently able, and will no doubt be willing, to give your Government any advice which they may desire to receive from him in matters of defence. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.