The Queen has conferred the honour of Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George on Mr. Charles Couper, C.M.G., who has several times been First Minister of New South Wales, and is now Agent-General in England for that colony ; and on Mr. George F. Verdon, C.B., who for some years has been Agent-General for the colony of Victoria, and is now about to relinquish that office. Her Majesty has also conferred the honour of Companion of the same order on Mr. William Fitzherbert, who has been a leading member of several Administrations in New Zealand ; on Mr. Julius Vogel, now Colonial Treasurer and Postmaster General of New Zealand ; and on Mr. Stephen Walcott, who for many years has served as Secretary and Commissioner in the Colonial Land and Emigration Department.