A.—l

19

The position with my regiment is as follows: that it is the wish of the 11th Regiment (Taranaki Rifles) to still retain their old title, and to conform to the customs of Rifle regiments of the British Army, with this one exception, and that is, that this regiment be granted the unique distinction of carrying this one colour. One of the Native regiments in India has the unique distinction of being allowed to carry three colours in recognition of past traditions, and I therefore respectfully suggest that my regiment, in memory of past traditions, be granted the privilege asked for. The veterans, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men associated with the Taranaki Rifles are all interested in this matter, and my letter is an expression of the sentiment generally felt in this matter. Trusting this, my request, will have careful consideration, I have, &c, Wm, G. Malone, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding 11th Regiment (Taranaki Rifles).

No. 41. New Zealand, No. 168. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 24th October, 1912. With reference to your despatch of the 6th September, No. 260, forwarding copies of draft rules as to life-saving appliances, together with a memorandum on safety of life at sea, issued by the Board of Trade, I have the honour to subjoin a copy of a minute written by the Minister of Marine to my Prime Minister on the subject:— " The High Commissioner has been instructed to forward copies of the new Board of Trade life-saving appliances rules for ships as soon as they are made, and he advises that fifty copies will be sent as soon as made. I propose that the question of making new rules for New Zealand shall stand over until the new Board of Trade rules come to hand, when the question as to what shall be done in the Dominion will be fully and carefully considered." I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 42. New Zealand, No. 169. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 25th October, 1912. With reference to your Miscellaneous despatch of the 29th July, forwarding the new Public Seal for the Dominion of New Zealand, and to my despatch, No. 159, dated Ist October, acknowledging the receipt of the Seal, I have the honour to transmit to you the old Seal of the Dominion, as requested. 2. I enclose a copy of a memorandum which I have received from my Prime Minister, in which it is requested that the old Seal, after being defaced, may be returned to the Dominion. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, • Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

1913, No. 70.

No. 43. New Zealand, No. 170. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 31st October, 1912. With reference to your despatch of the 27th June, No. 185, enclosing a copy of a letter from the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain relative to the proposed interchange of certificates of pharmaceutical qualification between that

A.-2, 1913. No. 57.