A.—2.

39

No. 43. (Miscellaneous.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 23rd September, 1902. In view of the termination of the Coronation festivities, and the departure of the colonial troops, it becomes my duty to request you to express to your Ministers the thanks of His Majesty's Government for arranging the despatch of a military contingent to take part in the ceremonies. 2. I need hardly.say how glad the people of this country were to have an opportunity of welcoming the representatives of the colonial contingents which have displayed such splendid qualities in the South African war. 3. His Majesty's Government feel that they are specially indebted to your Ministers for sanctioning the prolongation of the visit of the New Zealand Contingent beyond the unavoidably deferred date of the Coronation, as the representation of the local Forces of almost every portion of the Empire on that day undoubtedly added greatly to the interest of the spectacle. 4. His Majesty's Government trust that the members of the contingent will carry back with them a pleasant recollection of their stay in this country on an ever memorable occasion. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 44. (No. 95.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 26th September, 1902. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, with reference to your despatch (No. 34) of the 23rd April, 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., 23rd September, 1902. With reference to your letters (No. 20815) dated 6th June last and the 19th instant, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you that it has now been decided to grant the war gratuity, drawn by members of the Army Nursing Service and the Army Nursing Service Reserve, to the ladies who were sent out officially as nursing sisters from oversea colonies, and also to those ladies who proceeded to South Africa from the colonies at their own expense, and were taken into employment locally. I am further to inform you that steps are being taken by this Department to issue the amount of the gratuity to the ladies concerned. I am, &c, G. Fleetwood Wilson. The Under-Seeretary of State, Colonial Office.

No. 45. (New Zealand, No. 96.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 30th September, 1902. I have the honour to inform you that I have received from your Prime Minister a letter dated the 13th instant, in which he makes certain suggestions with regard to Fiji. 2. I shall be glad if you will inform him, in reply, that Sir H. Jackson, the newly appointed Governor of Fiji, has already been asked to report on the

Date. From To Subject. !3rd September, War Office Colonial Office Grant of the war gratuity drawn by members of 1902 the Army Nursing Service to Nursing Sisters from oversea colonies.