A.--2

10

facilities which the New Zealand authorities are prepared to accord to commercial travellers from this country, the Commissioners of Customs have no objection to samples brought by commercial travellers from New Zealand being dealt with under the regulations in Customs General Order 3/1907, and that the necessary directions to this service will be issued accordingly. I am to add that three copies of General Order 3, l!) 07, showing the amendments therein to date, are, as requested, enclosed for transmission to the New Zealand Government. I am, &c, J. Browning. The Comptroller-General (Commercial Department), Board of Trade.

No. 10. New Zealand, No .79. My Lokd, — Downing Street, 15th April, 1909. I have the honour to request thai you will inform your Ministers that I have had under my consideration, in conjunction with the Board of Trade, Act No. 227 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to amend the Harbours Act, 1908." 2. The Board of Trade has suggested, for the consideration of your Ministers, that it would be advisable to amend section 80 of the principal Act so as to provide against pilots accepting rates less than those fixed, and imposing a penalty on any master who offers or pays to any pilot any rate in respect of pilotage services whether greater or less than the rate which may be demanded by law. This alteration would bring the New Zealand law on this point into conformity with section 592 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. 3. T shall be glad if your Ministers will take the suggestion of the Board of Trade into their consideration. T have, &c, CREWE. Governor, the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c. .

A.-l, 1909, No. 23.

No. 11. New Zealand, No. 81. My Lord,— Downing Street, 16th April, 1909. I have the honour to request that you will inform your Ministers that His Majesty's Government have had under consideration the question of the disposal of certain duplicate records which are at present deposited in the Public Record Office, and it has been decided that it is not necessary to preserve any longer in that office duplicates of correspondence with colonial Governments. 2. It appears to me, however, possible that your Government will be glad to take this opportunity of obtaining duplicate copies of correspondence. There are available twenty-five volumes of correspondence from 1840-1855. 3. I shall be glad to learn, within six months from the date of your receipt of this despatch, whether your Government desire to be presented with any of the volumes in question. Tf not, the Record Office will consider themselves at liberty to destroy the duplicate volumes. 4. T may add that the number of volumes available will probably be increased within the next few months, as the process of examining and checking the correspondence of the Colonial Office now at the Record Office is proceeded with. The Record Office will, of course, be glad to show the volumes to any representative who may be appointed for that purpose by your Government through the Hioh Commissioner. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor, the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.