A.—2

11

Cigar-factory in Suva, Fiji, equipped with hand appliances, and capable of turning out from thirty to forty thousand cigars per month. The company has practically a monopoly of the cigar and cheroot trade in Fiji, being free from excise, and protected by an import duty of ss. per pound. In the past Messrs Austin Walsh and Co., a firm of many years' standing, well and favourably known throughout the colony, imported the whole of their leaf-requirements, drawing their supplies from the various tobacco-producing countries, but it is anticipated that in the near future, as the Fijian production develops, the foreign product will be superseded. The Government of Fiji fully realise the importance of the recent developments in tobacco-cultivation which have been referred to; they have granted valuable concessions to the company, and are prepared to incur both trouble and expense in assisting tobacco-culture in their colony wherever the conditions are favourable.

No 21. (No. 85.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 18th November, 1903. With reference to your despatch (No. 62) of the 28th August, 1900, I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of your Ministers, that the Secretary of State for War lias given the necessary instructions for the free issue to your Government of 22-1.000 rounds of small-arm ammunition (-803" ball Mk. II.) and 16,000 rounds of pistol ammunition (Webley), to replace the ammunition taken by the New Zealand contingents to South Africa. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 22. (No. 80.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 25th November, 1903. T have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 100) of the 15th October respecting the New Zealand share of the cost of the Pacific n o 7i6. 9 ° cable for the year 1902-3, and to inform you that a cheque for the amount in question, viz., £10,057 Us. 7d., has now been received from the Agent-General and forwarded to the Treasury. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 23. (No. 90.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th November, 1903. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Lordship's Ministers, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule. i have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. 11, Rangoon Street, E.C., 24th November, 1903. Sib, — Kauri-gum. This product for varnish-making is obtainable solely from New Zealand. The yearly quantity collected amounts to 10,000 tons, valued at about £700,000. An arrangement might

Date Prom To Subject. Subject. !4th November. 1903 Mr. B. M. Barton ... Colonial Office... Proposes export duty on kauri-gum exported from New Zealand to places other than the United Kingdom.