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Any indulgence possible to mark the occasion should be granted to the troops. You may also make any arrangements you think desirable for the local celebration of Coronation Day in the district under your command, including the employment of the Volunteers, provided that no expense is entailed on the public. ■ I am, &c, The General Officer Commanding. J. K. Kenny, A.G.

No. 22. (No. 50.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 26th May, 1902. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sib,— War Office, London, S.W., 17th May, 1902. With reference to the contingents sent to South Africa for service this year, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you that he has decided that oversea colonial officers who are allowed, for private reasons, to resign their commissions before the disbandment of the contingent to which they belong cannot be regarded as entitled to the South African war gratuity unless they have served for at least nine months. I am to request that this decision may be communicated to the authorities of the Australian Commonwealth for their guidance when claims for the war gratuities of member* of the new contingents are dealt with. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. W. D. Ward.

No. 23. (No. 51.) My Loud, — Downing Street, 30th May, 1902. Your telegram of the 11th instant, on the subject of the volcanic eruption in Martinique, has been duly communicated to the French Government by His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris, and I have the honour to inform you that M. Delcasse has requested that the heartfelt thanks of the French Government may be conveyed to the Government of New Zealand for the sympathy shown on the occasion of the disaster which has befallen Martinique. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 24. (No. 56.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 18th June, 1902. With reference to my despatch (No. 40) of the 30th April, and to your despatch (No. 24) of the 3rd of the same month, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the papers noted in the subjoined schedule. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 11. A.-1, 1902, No. 86.

Date. Prom To Subject. 7th May, L902 War Office ... Colonial Office .. Issue of South African war gratuity to colonial officers resigning their commissions.