A.—l

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my Ministers and a number of New Zealand gentlemen holding the distinctions of K.C.M.G. and C.M.G., and their friends—in all about, seventy persons—l held an investiture at which, in obedience to the Ring's command conveyed in His Majesty's Warrant, I conferred the honour of Knighthood upon BrigadierGeneral Alfred William Robin, C.8., duly administering the accolade, and invested him with the insignia of Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, at the same time presenting to him a copy of the Statutes of the Order and the documents referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of your despatch. 3. I also availed myself of the opportunity afforded by this occasion of presenting to the Honourable Frederic William Lang the Letters Patent of Knighthood which accompanied your despatch, " Honours," of the 10th August, and of handing to Mr. John Cullen his badge as Companion of the Imperial Service Order, together with a letter containing his Warrant of Appointment and a copy of the Statutes of that Order. 4. Mr. Cullen has been requested to send direct to the Secretary of the Order an acknowledgment of the receipt of his insignia. I have, &o, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 52. New Zealand, No. 271. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd November, 1916. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 659, of the 24th August, forwarding copies of a circular issued by the Board of Trade relating to the examination of candidates for certificates of competency as master in the mercantile marine. 2. My Ministers inform me that similar rules have been made in New Zealand, and are being published in the New Zealand Gazette. I have, &o, LIVERPOOL, The Right, Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.C., &o, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1917. No. 54.

No. 53. New Zealand, No. 274. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 3rd November, 1916. With reference to your despatch, No. 607, of the 7th August, transmitting copies of reports from His Majesty's Consuls at Vigo and Lisbon relative to the examination of asses for export from Spain and Portugal respectively to this Dominion, I have the honour to inform you that I am advised by my Ministers that in the circumstances mentioned by the Consuls referred to it is not proposed to proceed in the matter of appointing veterinarians to examine asses at Ferrol and Lisbon for the purpose stated. 2. The requirements of the regulations under the Stock Act in regard to the introduction of live-stock into New Zealand will, my Ministers consider, be sufficiently met if, in the event of it being decided to forward any asses from the countries mentioned to this Dominion, the services of a veterinarian approved by His Majesty's Consul in the country concerned be engaged to examine such animals before they are shipped. I have, &o, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.C., &c., Governor Secretary of State for the Colonies.