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countries the landing from which is prohibited, and animals for exhibition or for exceptional purposes the landing of which is allowed by special order of the Board. These requirements, together with a water frontier and an efficient preventive service, make the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease by means of animals almost impossible. Protection against Introduction of Disease from Abroad and from Ireland. The risk of infection being again introduced from Ireland as in June, 1912, has been provided against by the issue of a permanent order requiring all Irish animals to be detained for a thorough veterinary examination at the landing-place before they are allowed to proceed to their destination. No Disease in Stock exported during 1912. It may be added that during the year 1912, 4,780 animals—viz., cattle, -sheep, goats, and swine— were exported from Great Britain. In not one case was any sign of foot-and-mouth disease discovered amongst them. Sydney Olivier, Secretary. Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 4 Whitehall Place, London S.W., Ist July, 1913.

No. 58. . New Zealand, No. 308. My Lord, — Downing Street, 14th August, 1913. With reference to my despatch, No. 288, of the Ist August on the subject of an epidemic of smallpox or chicken-pox which has broken out in the north of the North Island, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Local Government Board. 2. I should be glad if your Ministers could furnish the information and documents relating to New Zealand asked for by the Local Government Board. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Eight Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c. Enclosure. Sir,— Local Government Board, Whitehall, S.W., 6th August, 1913. I am directed by the Local Government Board to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, with reference to the epidemic of smallpox or chicken-pox in New Zealand. They would be glad if the Secretary of State would be good enough to cause them to be furnished with reports on the outbreaks in New Zealand and New South Wales, showing what were the sources of the infection, so far as they can be ascertained, what was the course of the epidemic in each case, and what measures were taken to prevent its spread, what was the general type of the disease, and what powers are possessed and were exercised in each State by the central and the local authorities for dealing with the epidemic. It would be useful for the Board to have also copies of any laws in force in each State with regard to vaccination, and the prevention of infectious diseases generally. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Walter T. Jerred, Assistant Secretary. No. 59. New Zealand.—Miscellaneous. My Lord,— Downing Street, 16th August, 1913. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Government, a copy of a circular letter which has been addressed by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Commanders-in-Chief, Captains, Commanders, and Commanding Officers of His Majesty's ships, communicating to them the international rule which has been concurred in by the maritime Powers generally that salutes by visiting ships of war to the flag of the country visited shall be fired on every occasion of visiting a foreign port, and enclosing an addition to article 78 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions embodying the rule. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

A.-1, 1914. No. 39.

No. 59. New Zealand. —Miscellaneous. My Lord, — Downing Street, 16th August, 1913. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Government, a copy of a circular letter which has been addressed by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Commanders-in-Chief, Captains, Commanders, and Commanding Officers of His Majesty's ships, communicating to them the international rule which has been concurred in by the maritime Powers generally that salutes by visiting ships of war to the flag of the country visited shall be fired on every occasion of visiting a foreign port, and enclosing an addition to article 78 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions embodying the rule. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.