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Sin, — The University of Adelaide, 25th November, 1908: 1 have the honour to request that you will grant me authority to examine the despatches, enclosures, and other State papers in the Government House in Australia and New Zealand which were transmitted between Downing Street and those parts of the Empire during the nineteenth century, for the purposes of historical research. In support of my request, and as an indication of my fitness for the work, 1 may respectfully urge that 1 was trained in Sydney and Oxford Universities, and that I was travelling scholar for the former, mid won the Brackeubury Scholarship ut lialliol College, Oxford, in 1894. lam now Professor of History in the Adelaide University, and have been trying for the past six years to found a school of original research into the history of those parts of the Empire that lie south of the Equator. In 1902 1 began my researches into the life of Sir George Grey, and had the authority of the Secretary of State, and the Governors of South Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, for investigating and studying the despatches intrusted to their care. In South Africa those despatches came down as late as IMJO, and in New Zealand as late as 1870. My book was published in 1907, and I respectfully urge that it may be considered as a test of my ability to use the documents with discretion and impartiality. Since the publication of my work on Sir George Grey 1 have been urged to compile a work consisting of documents illustrative of Imperial history in these parts of His Majesty's dominions during the nineteenth century. That would be a continuation of the work on which 1 have been engaged for the past seven years, and I am desirous of undertaking it; but it would be impossible to perform that work with any degree of satisfaction unless I am permitted to have access to the most reliable material ut our disposal in this part of the world. 1 sincerely trust that my request may be considered not only in the knowledge that it concerns an important part of my life's work, but also that it is preferred in the interests of scientific research, and in the conviction that valuable service may be rendered to the Empire by an impartial investigation of the most reliable State papers and documents. I have, dec., Geo. C. Henderson. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State, Westminster, England. South Australia, No. 56. Sir,— Downing Street, 27th May, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Sir George Le Hunte's despatch No. 87, of the Ist of December, forwarding copy of an application addressed to him by Professor G. Henderson for permission to have access to South Australian correspondence subsequent to 1836 for the purpose of historical research, together with an application addressed to the Secretary of State for permission to search similar correspondence in other Australian States and in New Zealand. 2. As you are aware, in Mr. Lyttelton's circular despatch of the 21st September, 1905, the responsibility for deciding whether to grant applications of this sort was left with the Colonial Governments, anil not with the Secretary of State; but, so far as 1 am concerned, I regret that I see no sufficient reason for granting Professor Henderson's application. 3. I have to explain that, in the case of the correspondence regarding Sir George Grey, to which Professor Henderson refers, he was not given a general permission to search all correspondence of a certain period, but only such correspondence relating to Sir George Grey as the Governors of the Cape of Good Hope ami New Zealand thought tit to show him. This procedure was in effect similar to that suggested for future exceptional cases in the third paragraph of Mr. Lyttelton's circular despatch. i. I take this opportunity of informing you that since the date of that despatch it has been decided to render the records in this country accessible to the public, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, down to the year 1837, instead of the year 1830. 5. I have forwarded copy of this correspondence to the Governors of the other Australian States and to the Governor of New Zealand. I have, &c, Governor, Sir Day Bosanquet, G.C.V.0., X.C.8., &c. Chewe.

No. 29. New Zealand, No. 110. My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th May, 1909. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the papers noted below on the subject of the shipping trade between Australia and Europe and the United States of America. I have, &c, CREWE

The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand.

Date. Description. I Summary of Report of Suez Canal Company.