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No. 118. Dominions. —Circular. Sir, — Downing Street, Bth January, 1910. With reference to Lord Elgin's circular despatch of the 16th December, 1907, enclosing a copy of the Royal Warrant instituting the Edward Medal for courage in saving, or attempting to save, life in mines or quarries, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, at copy of a further Royal Warrant extending the scope of that medal so as to admit of its being awarded to those of His Majesty's subjects who, in course of industrial employment, endanger their own lives in saving, or endeavouring to save, the lives of others from perils incurred in connection with such employment. I have, &c, CREWE. The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 119. New Zealand, No. 12. My Lord, — Downing Street, 14th January, 1910. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, the accompanying invitation, addressed to your Government, inviting them to be represented at the International Congress of the Deaf, to be held at Colorado Springs, Colorado, from the 6th to the 13th August, 1910. 2. This invitation has been forwarded to His Majesty's Government by the United States Ambassador at this Court, who has been instructed to make it clear that the Congress will not be under the auspices or patronage of the Government of the United States, although that Government would view with pleasure the appointment of foreign delegates should the subjects to be discussed prove of sufficient interest to the Governments invited. 3. I have to add that His Majesty's Government have replied that they are not in a position to accept the invitation which has been addressed to them to be represented at the Congress. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor, the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1910, No TO.

Enclosure. National Association of the Deaf, Office of the President, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 23rd November, 1909. Thb National Association of the Deaf of the United States of America has the honour to invite the Government of New Zealand to participate by delegates in the International Congress of the Deaf, which will meet at Colorado Springs, in this State, Colorado, from 6th August to 13th August, inclusive, 1910. George Wμ. Veditz, President. Wμ. C. Ritter, Secretary. The programme will include the following topics :— The best method of educating the deaf. The deaf man in the business world: how best to overcome prejudice and distrust toward his employment. Homes for the aged and infirm deaf. The deaf in benevolent assurance associations : Organizations of the deaf veraut organizations of the hearing. Independent newspapers for the deaf: how best to maintain them and increase their scope and usefulness. The evils of classifying the deaf with the dependent and delinquent classes. The organization of the deaf in national federations.