A.—2.

6

No. 5. New Zealand, Dominions No. 44. Sir, — . Downing Street, 26th January, 1928. 1 have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the Managing Committee of the Imperial Bureau of Mycology have for some time had under consideration the question of the adequacy of accommodation in the present building occupied by the Bureau, especially in view of the increasing scope of the Bureau's activities, and the necessity for ensuring its continued efficient working. 2. The building at Kew in which the Bureau is at present housed was taken, over in 1920 from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and consists of two adapted dwellinghouses. It has become increasingly apparent that this building is unsuitable for scientific work and quite inadequate for the Bureau's needs. Two defects in particular are the absence of accommodation for overseas mycologists who may wish to work at the Bureau, and the lack of space in which the Bureau's valuable collection of specimens of plant-diseases may be housed. The delegates at the Imperial Mycological Conference in 1924 commented strongly on the inadequate nature of this building, and placed on record their view that more commodious accommodation was an urgent necessity if the future work of the Bureau was to be carried out satisfactorily. 3. Thanks to the promise of assistance from the Empire Marketing Board, the Managing Committee have now been able to decide that a new building should be constructed at Kew in which the Bureau may be housed. The building proposed, which is to contain ample room for the accommodation of visiting mycologists, for laboratory work, and for the housing of specimens, is estimated to cost £10,000, and the internal fittings require another £2,000. Towards this total cost of £12,000 the Empire Marketing Board have agreed to make a grant of £8,000, and the balance will be provided from the Bureau's reserves. It is expected that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will place at the Bureau's disposal an admirable site for this new building near the Herbarium and Library of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Negotiations as to this site are in progress, and as soon as this matter is definitely settled the Managing Committee hope to proceed without delay with the construction, of the new building. 4. It is anticipated that the provision of this new building will prove to be of the greatest possible benefit to the Bureau's future work, and will greatly enhance the value of the services which it is able to give to the Agricultural Departments of the various parts of the Empire. Special attention is invited to the fact that in the new building greater facilities will be possible for mycologists from overseas to work at the Bureau as opportunity offers. I have, &c. (For the Secretary of State), LOVAT. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 6. New Zealand, Dominions No. 51. Sir, — Downing Street, 30th January, 1928. I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, copies of an agreement signed on the 19th October, 1927, by the Governor of the Straits Settlements on behalf of His Majesty the King and by His Highness the Sultan of Johore, on the subject of the boundary between the Straits Settlements and Johore. 2. The effect of this agreement is to convert certain islands and waters which formerly formed part of the Colony of the Straits Settlements into territory under His Majesty's protection and territorial waters thereof. In the circumstances, the Secretary of State for the Colonies was advised that the agreement should be described as made on behalf of His Majesty, and that Parliamentary approval of the agreement should be obtained. A Bill giving the approval of Parliament to the agreement is being drafted.