11

A.—2

" points with regard to which you may be unable to accept the advice of your " Ministers." 8. You would, of course, keep me informed of any matters of importance that may occur in the islands, and all papers relating to the group which are printed by the New Zealand Government should be forwarded to the Secretary of State, and it would be convenient if copies were also sent to the High Commissioner for his information. 9. It must, however, be understood that in judicial matters the jurisdiction of the High Commissioner's Court will continue in full force, for no other British Court is capable of doing justice in the group; and, although it is not often that occasion will arise for the Court visiting the Cook Islands, cases may from time to time occur, as recently in the case of the " Norval," in which the intervention of a competent Court is distinctly advantageous. 10. It would, indeed, be possible for the jurisdiction of this Court to be vested in the Eesident by giving him the powers of a Deputy Commissioner, and, further, by Order in Council, under section 9 of " The Foreign Jurisdiction Act, 1890," to provide that appeals from the decision of the Eesident as such Deputy Commissioner shall be carried to the Supreme Court of New Zealand, and I shall be glad to learn whether it is the wish of your Government that steps should be taken for giving effect to such arrangement; and whether in that case the prisons of the colony would be available for the reception of prisoners from the Cook Islands, if in any serious cases the Eesident should wish to have the sentence of the Court carried out more effectually than would be possible in the group. Upon this part of the question I would refer you to the 7th section of the Foreign Jurisdiction Act. 11. It will at all times be open to any British residents in the group to take advantage, if they think fit, of the provisions of Part XV. of the Order in Council relating to the registration of births, marriages, and deaths, and to the celebration of marriage in the group. 12. I trust that these explanations and proposals will convince your Government that it is unnecessary for them to withdraw the salary for the Eesident, or, indeed, for any change in the existing arrangement to be made. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.

(Circular.) No. 19. Sic, — Downing Street, 11th January, 1895. I have the honour to inform you that my attention has been recently called to the sale of English military uniforms in one of Her Majesty's Crown colonies. These uniforms appear to be sold with all the badges, buttons, and distinctive marks attached to the garments, thereby offering facilities to fraud. The Secretary of State for War, to whom the matter was referred, has invited my attention to " The Uniforms Act, 1894" (a copy of which is enclosed), and I request that you will procure, if possible, the enactment of a similar law by your Government. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government EIPON. of New Zealand.

(No. 6.) No. 20. My Loed, — Downing Street, 18th January, 1895. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication fo your Government, a copy of a letter from the. War Office, containing inquiries respecting the appointment now held by Lieut.-Colonel F. J. Fox under your Government. I request that you will enable me to furnish the War Office with the information desired. I have, &c, EIPON. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c.