FEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO THE PACIFIC ISLANDS). [In Continuation of A.-3, 1886.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1887 Session I, A-03

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1887. NEW ZEALAND.

FEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO THE PACIFIC ISLANDS). [In Continuation of A.-3, 1886.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Seceetaey of State to the Govebnoe. * 10th March, 1886. See New Zealand Herald, 10th December, 11th December : Cornwall; Samoan land claims; caution parties concerned against using violence.

No. 2. The Seceetaey of State to the Govebnob. Sib,— Downing Street, 11th March, 1886. With reference to my telegram of the 10th instant, I have the honour to transmit to you for communication to your Government, a copy of a despatch from the Acting High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, with its enclosures, respecting a design which appears to be entertained by the South Sea Island Produce Company, forcibly to eject Messrs. McArthur and their agents from certain lands in one of the Navigators Islands. Tour Government will, no doubt, consider the propriety of taking whatever measures may be possible for discouraging and for preventing, if possible, the formation of expeditions from the colony for the purpose of taking such proceedings as those which appear to be contemplated in this case, for if British subjects or persons of any nationality proceed from a British colony and create disturbances in Samoa, they will place an additional difficulty in the way of Her Majesty's Government in their efforts to maintain the independence of those islands. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.B. Geanville.

No. 1.

Enclosure. Administrator Thueston to Colonel Stanley. Sib, — High Commissioner's Office, Western Pacific, Suva, Fiji, 23rd December, 1885. I have the honour to enclose for your information a copy of a letter and its enclosure which has been addressed to me by Messrs. McArthur and Co., of Auckland, New Zealand. 2. I also annex several excerpts from Auckland newspapers of late dates referring to the same subject as their letter. 3. By the out-going mail I have written to Mr. Deputy Commissioner Powell at Samoa, giving him advice upon such points as I think may be useful. 4. With regard to the intention of the South Sea Island Produce Company to eject the Messrs. McArthur from certain lands at Samoa now in their actual possession, upon the ground that the company has acquired it from a Native woman, I have no doubt that the woman referred to is, or was, the concubine of Mr. P. Cornwall, mentioned by Chief Justice Sir John Gorrie, in his memorandum of the 10th December, 1883, in reply to Lord Derby's despatch of the 13th November of the same year, and I am satisfied that, apart from any contention as between Cornwall and Messrs. McArthur, the woman in question can have no right in any land in Samoa, independent of her rights as a member of her family or community. 5. According to papers formerly submitted to me by Cornwall in person, the claim of the woman to the lands disputed, is not based upon original or Native ownership, but is made in virtue of a " settlement " upon her by Cornwall, who, as the reputed actual owner thereof, had obtained large advances from Messrs. McArthur and Co. I—A. 3.

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6. I do not regard the threatened lawless proceedings of the agents of the South Sea Islands Produce Company with any anxiety, unless they obtain the active support of Tamasese, the leader of the so-called rebel party, in which case Mr. Powell may find himself in a difficult position. 7. In the event of serious disturbances beyond his control I have desired him to communicate with me at once, and to forward a copy of his communication to Bear-Admiral Tryon. 8. Some months ago a Mr. John London appeared in Samoa as the agent of the company above named, and endeavoured, without success, to obtain possession of the land (250,000 to 300,000 acres) claimed by "the native woman." But Mr. Lundon, who is a well-known man in New Zealand, and chiefly conspicuous as an agent in any transaction with Natives requiring peculiarly nice management, was, it is believed, the agent of much more prominent persons who are anxious to secure the annexation of Samoa to that colony, and I am not without a suspicion that this move against Messrs. McArthur is but the cover to more important designs. 9. Mr. Lundon returned to New Zealand bearing with him a document purporting to be an application from the Government of Samoa for annexation to New Zealand. It was declared by the Government of Samoa that no such application had ever been made, but in many quarters in New Zealand Mr. Lundon's romance was received with perfect gravity. 10. The grounds for calling upon Her Majesty's Government to interfere further in Samoan affairs would be the existence, or asserted existence, of large British interests, and the necessity for maintaining law and order among British subjects and the South Sea Island Produce Company (whoever is represented under that title) no doubt have this fact in view. 11. Messrs. McArthur have been informed that, in the event of their requiring it, all possible lawful assistance and support will be given them in their actual possession of any land, and on the ground of such possession solely. I have in my communication to them repeated that the lands into the possession of which they have entered was not acquired in virtue of a writ issued out of the Deputy Commissioner's Court, and have referred them to my former correspondence on the subject. I have, &c. John B. Thukston. The Eight Hon. Colonel F. Stanley, etc., Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Sub-Enclosure 1. Messrs. MoAkthuk and Co. to the Acting High Commissioner. Sib,— We enclose for your information a copy of a letter sent by us per last 'Frisco mail to the Deputy High Commissioner, Samoa. W re also post you newspapers that contain paragraphs referring to the same matter and containing very definite statements. Of course, we do not know how far the information they give is reliable, but there is good ground for believing that Mr. Cornwall's party intend to use violence. The only passenger on the " Mararoa's " clearance for Tutuila is Mr. Hugh Hart Lusk, who has been acting as solicitor for Cornwall, but we find that Captain James Sinclair (master mariner, formerly in our and L. D. Nathan and Cos. employ), a Mr. Tisdail, and a Mr. Mathieson, also went with him. We are told six in all, but we cannot get the other names. We trust that any attempt to use force, or to incite the Tamasese party to deeds of violence, will be at once stopped, and that law and order may be maintained through prompt and decided action if necessary. We have, &c, W. W. McAethuk and Co. His Excellency the Acting^Kigh Commissioner Western Pacific, Suva.

Sub-Enclosure 2. Sik, — Auckland, Bth December, 1885. We have received intimation from private sources that Mr. F. Cornwall, in connection with other parties, is sending a Mr. Williams to Samoa by this opportunity for the purpose of seizing possession of various lands now in our possession. These lands originally were claimed by him, and his title to many of them registered in the British Consulate, but, as you are aware, we purchased his right, title, and interest in them through the High Commissioner's Court at a public sale, and we have since obtained Crown grants to many of them through the King and Government of Samoa. Wo have these Crown grants for the Faleula and Magia properties. We have instructed our agents to maintain possession by all lawful means, and in the event of any trouble arising to appeal to you. We trust you will render us all the support and protection to which we are entitled. Probably Mr. Cornwall's intention is to make use of the rebel or Tamasese party, with whom he has long been in communication. We have, &c, The Hon. Lieutenant Powell, E.N., W. W. McAkthuk and Co. Deputy High' Commissioner Western Pacific, Apia. P.S.—We hear there is some quarrel amongst Cornwall's supporters, and that probably Mr. Williams will not go down.

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No. 3. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Sib,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 26th March, 1886. A few days ago Mr. Eberhard Schmid came to me on the part of the German companies possessing interests at Samoa to inquire whether the Government were likely to lay any proposal before the House of Eepresentatives for the purchase of those interests. We went into a number of figures, Mr. Schmid being evidently prepared with complete estimates of the value of the companies' establishments, land claims, and trade in the Samoan group; and the total amount named by him gave me great surprise. lam not in a position to give you the details, as they were only the subject of confidential conversation between us; but, in round numbers, the total was not far short of half a million of money. I told Mr. Schmid that I was astonished at such a sum, to which he replied that the most careful valuations had been made, and balance-sheets prepared at Hamburg, which were entirely at my disposal to examine if I would go over and meet the companies on the spot. I then told Mr. Schmid that I would write to you by this mail, inquiring whether you would permit an investigation to be made by me at Hamburg into these figures and balance-sheets, or whether, upon hearing of such a total, you would instruct me to take no further action in the matter at all. The companies purport to have acquired more than 200,000 acres of land in the islands, and if New Zealand is not prepared to enter into a treaty for the acquisition of their interests, they talk of investing large additional sums of money, and of proceeding with great vigour in the development of the German trade. I need not say that I placed my own construction upon this announcement. If you should consider it worth while, under such circumstances, to take any action in the matter perhaps you will be pleased to send me a telegram to that effect. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 4. The Agent-Ceneeal to the Pbemieb. Sib,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., Bth April, 1886. In my letter of the 26th ultimo, No. 395, I told you the substance of what had passed ] between Mr. Eberhard Schmid and myself with respect to the German interests in Samoa. I now transmit herewith copy of a letter which I have received from that gentleman, on behalf of the Committee of Administration of the German companies, together with my reply. You will see that in consequence, apparently of the surprise that I expressed at the amount of the valuations they had made of their interests, the companies now consider it would be useless to continue any negotiations for the sale of those interests. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. ■ F. D. Bell.

No. 3,

Enclosure 1. Sir, Hamburg, sth April, 1886. Having just returned from Berlin, where I learnt in a conversation with Dr. Krauel that when you first intimated the wish of your Government to buy us out, he is quite sure never to have mentioned any sum below about half a million pounds sterling, I beg leave to inform you on the part of our Committee of Administration that, in consequence of the nature of your mistake of thinking us sellers at pi'ices yon mentioned, they must come to the conclusion that it would be useless to continue our negotiations about the sale of our interests in the South Seas. We beg leave to ask you to notify this to your High Government, as we have done to our own Government, taking corresponding steps at the same time. I have, &c, / Ebeehaed Schmid, Director of Deutsche Handels, and Plantagen-Gesellschaft der SiidseeInseln Zu Hamburg. The Hon. Sir Francis Dillon Bell, 7, Westminster Chambers, S.W.

Enclosure 2. Sib,— 7, Westminster Chambers, S.W., Bth April, 1886. I have received your letter of the sth instant, referring to the question we recently discussed in connection with the establishment of the German companies at Samoa. In reply, I beg to observe that you are in error in assuming that I made any mistake in the matter. Up to the time of the conversation between yourself and me, no real statement of the extent or value of the claims of your companies had been laid before me, and the only information which I possessed in the matter was from the conversations I had had with Dr. Krauel when he was in England, and at a subsequent period with Mr. Sahl. It is quite certain that nothing which passed in either of those conversations had reference to a sum approaching half a million sterling, and it was on that account that I expressed the surprise I did, when you for the first time informed me that your valuations amounted to that sum. x\s, however, your Committee of Administration have now come to the conclusion that it would be useless to continue any negotiations about the sale* of your interests in Samoa, I shall, as you request, communicate that information to the Government of New Zealand. I have, &c, Eberhard Schmid, Esq. F. D. Bell.

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No. 5. The Agent-General to the Premier. Sir,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, 8.W., 29th April, 1886. I received in due course your telegram of the 24th instant, inquiring whether there would ' now be any objection to printing for Parliament my telegram of the 18th August last, and my letter of the 20th August, relating to acquiring the German interests at Samoa. I replied at once that the papers might be printed, and I took the opportunity of adding to my message what I had already reported to you in my letters of the 26th March, No. 395, and the Bth April, No. 424, that the German companies were now asking £500,000 for their claims. I have, Sea., The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. P. D. Bell.

A.-3, 1886, Nos, 6 and 7.

Nos. 3 and i.

No. 6. The Premier to H. H. Lusk, Esq. Sir,— Bth May, 1886. As one of the representatives of the syndicate formed to prosecute the claims of Mr. Cornwall at Samoa, I have the honour to inform you that His Excellency the Governor has received a telegram from the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, directing His Excellency's attention to the Neiu Zealand Herald of the 11th December last, in which it is stated that Messrs. Tisdale, Sinclair, and yourself had proceeded to Samoa with the intention of occupying the land held by McArthur and Co., and defying the power of ejection, and His Excellency has been requested to caution the parties concerned against employing violence. I need hardly point out to you how very necessary it is for all persons who have any dealings in the Pacific, to abstain from any acts that might lead to an embroglio with the natives. I have, &c, H. H. Lusk, Esq., Auckland. Bobert Stout.

No. 1

No. 7. The Secretary of State, Samoa, to the Premier, New Zealand. Sir, —■ Government House, Apia, 18th May, 1886. I am commanded by the King of Samoa to inform you that His Majesty has placed Samoa temporarily under the protection of the United States of America. The reasons which compelled the King of Samoa thus to act were many and serious. I will not weary you with details, but shortly say that the attitude and actions of the German Consul-General, and of Admiral Knorr, Commanding His Imperial Majesty's squadron cruising in these waters, were so hostile to Samoa, and the probable advent of civil war consequent thereupon became so imminent, that the King of Samoa, acting under the advice of his Ministers, called upon Mr. Berthold Greenebaum, the able and courageous Consul for the United States in Samoa, to fulfil the obligation of his Government under the fifth article of the treaty between Samoa and the United States. Mr. Greenebaum without hesitation acceded to the request, and the Samoan flag was placed under American protection. The King regrets very deeply the failure of the efforts repeatedly made to join Samoa to the British Empire, and trusts that by the aid of New Zealand the Governments of England, Germany, and America may be induced to consent to the proposed temporary government of this country upon the basis laid down in the enclosure marked " A." The necessity which exists here for a settled and organised Government is absolute. His Majesty is fully aware of the impossibility of making and enforcing wise laws for Samoa without the aid of educated Europeans, and the consent of the Great Powers whose subjects form the bulk of the commercial and employing classes in these islands, and I am therefore desired to request most earnestly and humbly the assistance of New Zealand. In other ways, also, New Zealand can be of assistance to Samoa while it benefits itself. The trade of your colony with Samoa and the other islands of these seas is rapidly increasing, but this commerce could be still more speedily and widely extended. One step towards the accomplishment of this end would be the regular calling of the mail steamers on the San Eranoisco line at Apia. I am informed by competent authority that the smail loss in time would be quite repaid in money, but beyond this the results would be very great. For commerce, for the peace and well-being of the community, for legislation, for comfort, the effects would be of great value, while the proposed movement would draw closer and closer the bonds between Samoa and New Zealand. I have, &c, Selu, The Hon. E. Stout, Premier of New Zealand. Secretary of State.

Enclosure A. Proposed Temporary Constitution for. Samoa under King Malietoa. 1. A Legislature sha.ll be formed, consisting of forty-seven members who shall be appointed as follows : Three members, including the Consuls for the time being of the different nations, shall be appointed by the United States, England, and Germany respectively; in all nine. Two members shall be elected, by the white residents in the Islands of Upolu, Savaii, and Tutaila, and thirty-two members shall be elected by the Samoan natives, viz., four Tuamasaga, four Atua, four Aana, four Tutuila, four Fassaaleleaga, four Leitntane, four Itufafine, and four Manono. The remaining four

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shall be the European Secretaries of State, who shall be members ex officio. Each Parliament shall last for three years, when fresh elections shall be held and fresh appointments shall be made. 2. An Executive Council, consisting of eight persons, four Europeans or Americans and four Samoans, shall be formed, having all Executive power. 3. The Executive Council shall be appointed and dismissed by the King, but shall be removable individually or collectively upon a vote of the majority of the Legislature to that effect. 4. The Executive Council shall consist of four European or American Secretaries and four assistant Native Secretaries, who must be elected members of the Legislature, and they shall hold the following offices respectively: (1.) Chief Secretary and Assistant Chief Secretary, including native and foreign affairs. (2.) Attorney-General who shall also be Secretary for Justice and Education and Assistant Secretary. (3.) Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Finance, Customs, and Postal arrangements. (4.) Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Land and Public Works. 5. The Legislature shall sit twice a year at Apia, and shall elect its own officers. 6. The Legislature shall have full power and sole power to make all laws for the peace and good government of Samoa. 7. All laws must be assented to by the King, but the King shall have the power of veto, provided that if the King exercise this power such law may again be passed; and, if it be so passed by a majority consisting of two-thirds in number of the Legislature, such law shall be as valid and effectual as if assented to by the King. 8. Eevenue for the carrying out of the ordinary work of the Government shall be raised by taxation, but for public works, purchase of lands, and other extraordinary purposes money may be borrowed, but all money shall be raised and expended by vote of the Legislature. 9 and 10. A Supreme Court consisting of a Chief Justice and two other Judges shall be formed, which shall have jurisdiction over all matters civil and criminal in Samoa. 11. The Judges shall be appointed by the King, but shall be removable by a vote of the Legislature to that effect, and by that only. Every Judge shall be a lawyer of at least ten years' standing in Germany, or some part of the United States of America, or the British Empire. 12. Titles to land in Samoa shall be determined as soon as possible by the Supreme Court. 13. There shall be six Assessors, three white and three natives, who shall be appointed by the King, and approved by the Consuls for the three Powers. 14. In every civil trial where the value in dispute is above £200 two Assessors shall sit with the Judge, one of whom shall concur in opinion with the Judge, and in every criminal case the punishment for which shall be death or imprisonment for upwards of one year, shall be tried with four Assessors, whose verdict must be unanimous, and coincide with that of the Judge. 15. Where lands are in dispute between Europeans or between Europeans and natives the title shall be decided by a Commission consisting of one Judge of the Supreme Court, and three Assessors, one of whom shall be appointed by each of the three Governments of Germany, United States, and England. 16.-For the purpose of settling all titles to land, and for the further purpose of bringing the rebels under the authority of the Government a proclamation shall be issued, calling upon all owners of or claimants to land within each district as at present constituted to send in their claims in writing to the Governor of such district within six months after the issue of such proclamation, otherwise their rights will not be regarded, but will be absolutely debarred and lost, while such lands will become the property of the Government. 17. Agents shall be appointed in London in England, Washington and San Francisco in United States, and Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand, to manage and act for Samoa in those places. 18. The word " European " herein used shall include all persons other than native coloured races of the Pacific.

No. 8. The Agent-Genebal to the Peemiee. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 2nd June, 1886. A Press telegram from Melbourne arrived yesterday to the effect that towards the end of May the German man-of-war at Samoa had left Apia for that part of the island occupied by the chief Tamasese, whom Germany meant to uphold against Malietoa; that the British and United States Consuls had drawn up a formal protest, and that in response to an appeal from Malietoa for protection, the American Consul had hoisted the Samoan flag underneath that of the United States. To-day a Press telegram from Washington states that Mr. Bayard, the Secretary of State, has received a short despatch from the United States Consul at Apia, announcing that he " had hoisted the Samoan flag beneath that of the United States as a recognition of the rights of King Malietoa against the pretensions of King Tamasese;" it also states that the despatch contained no further particulars. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. P. D. Bell.

Enclosures. [Extract from the Times, Tuesday, Ist June, 1886.] Geemany, Amebica, and Samoa. Melbourne, 31st May. Accoeding to the latest information from Samoa, dated the 22nd May, the German war vessel had left Apia for the territory governed by King Tamasese, whose rule is upheld by Germany against

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that of King Malietoa. The British and United States Consuls at Apia have drawn up a formal protest against the subversion of King Malietoa's authority through German influence. In response from the King for protection, the American Consul has hoisted the Samoan flag under that of the United States, and has telegraphed to President Cleveland reporting the establishment of this protectorate.

[Extract from tho Daily News, 2nd June, 188G.] The United States and Samoa. (Through Eeuter's Agency.) Washington, Ist June, 1886. Me. Bataed, Secretary of State, has received a short despatch from the United States Consul at Apia, announcing that he has hoisted the Samoan flag beneath that of the United States as a recognition of the rights of King Malietoa against the pretensions of King Tamasese. The despatch contains no further particulars.

No. 9. Ministers to the Governor. (Memorandum.) Wellington, 7th June, 1886. Ministers have the honour to return the despatch of the Right Hon. the Secretary of State, Earl Granville, No. 18, of the 11th March, 1886, with its enclosures. 2. Ministers believe that there is no truth in the allegation that any British subjects from New Zealand caused, or intended to cause, disturbances in Samoa. So far as Ministers have been informed, they understood that Messrs. Lusk, Eees, and Napier, three barristers of the Supreme Court, have gone to Samoa to have the matter in dispute between the Auckland Syndicate and Messrs. McArthur and Co. judicially settled before the Deputy High Commissioner. 3. Ministers regret that Mr. Thurston should have written as he has done to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. If he had placed himself in communication with the New Zealand Government, every information that was at its disposal would have been afforded to him. It seems strange that he should have made the grave charges contained in paragraph 8 of his letter without communicating with the authorities in New Zealand, and without due inquiry. Who the " more prominent persons " may be Ministers are not aware. If he intends to refer to any person in any official position, his reference is unaccountable. Ministers are not aware of any "prominent persons in New Zealand employing Mr. Lundon as agent to secure the annexation of Samoa," nor, as far as Ministers are aware, was Mr.. Lundon accredited to Samoa by any persons but those who employed him, namely, those who thought they had claims to land in the Navigator Group. 4. The action that the Government took last year in reference to Samoa is known to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The object of Ministers was to ascertain the position of affairs in the islands, and to promote trade relations between them and New Zealand for the benefit of all persons engaged in such commerce, without regard to their nationality. 0. This correspondence shows the need of more frequent visits of Her Maj'esty's ships to the Pacific Islands, and some better mode of dealing with the land claims of British subjects than now exists. Since writing the above, Ministers learn that the claims of Messrs. McArthur and Co. have been adjudicated on, and given in their favour by the Deputy High Commissioner. Eobekt Stout.

No. 10. Ministers to the Governor. (Memorandum.) ■ Wellington, 16th June, 1886. The Premier has the honour to forward for His Excellency's information a copy of a proclamation issued by the United States Consul at Samoa. He may add that if the United States were to assume the protectorate of the islands, it would be more pleasing to this colony than that matters should remain in their present position, and the islands be under German influence. People in the colonies hardly look upon the United States as a foreign nation. The fact that the people in the States speak the same language, and are mainly of the same race as ourselves, binds us closer to them than to the European nations that have attempted to interfere in Pacific affairs. Bobebt Stout.

Enclosure. Proclamation. To the Hon. Bekthold Geeenebaum, United States Consul, Apia. Sic, Government House, Apia, 13th May, 1886. As the Kingdom of Samoa has applied to the United States of America for assistance and protection, and as it is said that some of the Samoan people now (unhappily) in rebellion against my authority, are fearful that the guns of American and. English men-of-war will be turned against them, we desire you to issue a proclamation to allay such fears, and to bid all people in Samoa to be quiet and orderly, and to go to their own villages and there live in a peaceful and orderly manner. Malietoa, King of Samoa. Selu, Secretary of State.

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Ia lana Susuga Mamalu o Beethold Ckeenebauji:, Konesula ole Unaite Setete. Alii c, Fale ole Malo, Apia, 13 Me, 1886. O lenei, ona ua tagi atu le Malo o Samoa i le Malo ole Uunaite Setete o Amerika i so fesosoani ma le faamamalu. Ua inaua le tala i tasi tagata o Samoa (ua malaia) o 100 latou fai le fou i la'u pule, c faapea ua tele le mata'u ona o fana fanua a manuao Amerika ma Peritania ole a liliu atu ia te i latou. On te poloaiina noi oe ia faia ma tusia ni talaiiga ia fai ma pupuni o faamata'u, ma fai atu i tagata uma o Samoa ia nofo filemu ma ia tapu gagana ma ia o atu i latou nuu ma nonofo o fifilemu. Malietoa, Tupu o Samoa. Selu, Eailautusi.

In obedience to the request of His Majesty, King Malietoa, I, the undersigned, Beethold Geeenebaum, United States Consul in the Kingdom of Samoa, in the name of the United States of America, and by virtue of the command of King Malietoa above set out, do hereby order all people within this Kingdom to live peaceably and quietly, and also order all persons who may have assembled for the purpose of opposing the Government of King Malietoa, forthwith to disperse to their several homes and there dwell peacefully. And I hereby state that no English or American war ship will be requested by me, acting as and for the United States of America, His Majesty King Malietoa, to fire upon, or otherwise molest, any of the subjects of this, or any other country, unless for the preservation of life and property, or the punishment of crime. The United States of America desire that happiness, peace, and prosperity may be enjoyed by Samoa, and trust that the difficulties hereto retarding the progress of these islands will soon be overcome, and that by reviving commerce and with an established Government, the great natural resources of this Kingdom may be peacefully developed, so that the welfare both of individuals and the community may be secured. Beethold Geeeneisaum, Apia, Samoa, 14th May, 1886. United States Consul.

Ole poloaiga a lana afioga le Tupu a Malietoa, o au o Berthold Geeenebaum le Konesula o Unaite Setete i le autunuu o Samoa, c tusa ma le finagalo o Unaite Setete i le ma le poloa'iga a le Tupu o Malietoa: ou te fai atu a'u i tagata tuna i lenei autunuu ia tatou nouofo lelei ma le filemu. Ou te matua fai atu foi i tagata uma ua potopoto faatasi ma ia faalavelave le malo o Malietoa le tupu ia vave ona taapeape i latou ma ia maliu atu i o latou lava nuu ma ia nofonofo filemu i ai. 0 le pule lenei ole pule lava a lo Unaite Setete atoa ma Malietoa a lo tupu, ou te faapea atu : c leai sou manatu c fai atu i se manuao Peritania poo se manuao Unaite Setete ia fanafana pc faasala 1 se tasi tagata o lenei atunuu poo se isi atunuu vagana c tatau ai ma le faamamaluina o tagata po o fanua po ole faasalaina o tagata pagotata. Ole finagalo o Unaite Setete o Amerika ia iaima ia tupu pea lea manuia ma le filemu ma le maniuoa i lenei atunuu o Samoa. E faamoemoe foi ole a vave mavae mea faigata sa faalavelave ai pea i lenei atunuu, a ia atili ai le feaveaina o oloa aua pc afai c mautu le inalo lelei ole a matua tupu tele ai le manuia i lenei atunuu c i'u ma filemu ai tagata atoa uma nuu uma. Beethold Greene bausi, Apia, Samoa, 14 Me, 1886. 0 le Konesula Unaite Setete.

No. 11. Ministers to the Govebnob. (Memorandum.) Wellington, 30th June, 1886. The Premier has the honour to forward for His Excellency's information copies of three other Proclamations that have been issued in Samoa since the Proclamation of the 14th May, copy of which was forwarded to His Excellency on the 16th instant. His Excellency will perceive that much good has resulted from the action then taken by the Consul for the United States. Eobekt Stout.

No. 10,

Enclosures. Dr. Stuebel's Proclamation. Know all men—The whole of Samoa knows well that there is at the present time arrangements being made between the Great Powers for the benefit of Samoa. These arrangements have not been concluded yet, and that is the reason of the German men-of-war going away without having investigated the breaking of the treaty and other insults alleged against Malietoa. I have informed the German Government of this, and shall still keep the German flag flying at Mulinuu. On account of what has been done by Malietoa in the past the Samoan Government cannot be protected by the American Consul without having first obtained the authority of his Government and his hoisting the United States flag over the flag of the Samoan Government hath no meaning whatever. I have already protested against that action, and now advise all Samoans not to believe or trust to such protection; it is of no use, but will only make difficulties, and Samoans will be the sufferers. 20th May, 1886. Dr. Stuebel.

■t Peoclamation. We, the Consuls of Germany, Great Britain, and the -United States of America, hereby give notice that we and our Governments do not, and never have, in a:iy way recognized Tamasese as King of Samoa, and order all Samoans to return to their homes and remain quiet and peaceable. And we

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further demand the continued enforcement of the Convention, especially with regard to the neutral territory of Apia. Dr. Stuebel, Imperial German Consul-Ceneral. Wilfred Powell, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul. B. Greenebaum, Apia, 27th May, 1886. United States Consul.

I Luga ole " Mohican," le Manuao Unaite Setete i le Taulaga i Apia, 8 luni, 1886. 0 i matou nei ua tofia mai le Malo o Malietoa, ma i matou ua tofia mai i a Tamasese ma lana itu 'au. Matou te matua tauto atu ile faamaoni o lenei Feagaiga : (1.) la amata mai ile aso nei, ia oo atu i aso o lumanai, ole a tumau le filemu i Samoa ia oo ile faavavau. (2.) 0 itu 'au foi c lua, Malietoa ma Tamasese ole a nonofo nei lava ile fealofani ma le faaleaiga. (3.) la amata lava ile aso nei c lepetia '010 uma ac maise foi c le toe feaveai o fana ma auupega eseese c uiga i taua c tagata uma o Samoa. Ole faamaoni ma lona man ua tuuina atu ai o matou lima atoa ma o matou faailoga i le aso ma le tausaga ua muarnua ona tusia. Alii a Tamasese. Alii a Malietoa. Uo. Aiono. Leavai. Toomata. Aualiitia. Leituala x faailoga. Hi. Molioo. L. Amitua. Utumapu. Su'a F. Naea. Maiava. Pau x lona faailoga. Selu. 0 i matou o Alii tofia o itu Malo tetele matou te molimau i lenei feagaiga fealofani. U.S. Ship of War " Mohican," Apia Harbour, Bth June, 1886. We, the representatives of Malietoa and his Government, and we, the representatives of Tamasese and his party, do hereby solemnly swear to the following agreement: (1.) That from this day forward there shall be perpetual peace in Samoa. (2.) That the two parties of Malietoa and Tamasese shall live in friendship and cordial relations, (b.) That from this date forward all forts shall be destroyed, and that no firearms of a defensive nature shall be carried by any Samoan. Tamasese's Chiefs. Malietoa's Chiefs. Uo. Aiono. Leavai. Toomata. Aualiitia. Leituala x his mark. Hi. Molioo. L. Amitua. Utumapu. Su'a. Naoa. Maiava. Pau x his mark. Selu. We the representatives of the Great Governments are hereby witnesses to tho signing of this agreement of friendship. Dr. Stuebel, Imperial German Consul-General. B. Greenebaum, United States Consul. Wilfred Powell, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul.

No. 12. The Premier to the Agent-General. g IB) Premier's Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1886. It is some time since I wrote you regarding the island question. 2. Events that have recently happened in the Navigator Group and in the New Hebrides make it necessary that I should bring under your notice—and through you, if you think it expedient, the Colonial Office—some questions concerning these islands. 3. I need not state, what perhaps you will have heard, that there is a strong feeling amongst British people in the Pacific Islands that German interests have been carefully looked after by the German Government, while those of the British people have been somewhat neglected. An instance of what has taken place at Apia fosters such an impression. A Mr. Mabin was elected a Magistrate by the Municipal Council of Apia. He was formerly a settler in this colony, and is a native of Scotland. He had, as all British subjects in the Pacific have, a strong British leaning, but, so far as I have heard, he performed his duties with zeal, ability, and impartiality. Apparently acting from advice from the Home Government, and with the concurrence of the German Consul, if not under his directions, the British Consul at Apia sent a letter to Mr. Mabin requesting his resignation. No charge whatever was made against him. It was known that he was a New Zealander, and that he had been in communication^ with some people in New Zealand, and the German Consul seemed to think that he was not favourable to German domination. I forward herewith copy of correspondence which took place between Mr. Mabin and the British Consul. The Ameri-

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can Consul was opposed to his resigning, but, sooner than cause any disturbance or ill-feeling, Mr. Mabin afterwards agreed to resign. 4. In Apia the British residents have been looking to the American Consul as the only one who could aid them as against German domination, and it is, I think, to be regretted that such should have to be the case. It can be readily understood how German trade has developed when German Consuls and men-of-war practically rule the islands, and it seems from what has taken place recently at Samoa as if the British Government did not object to the continued dominance of Germany in the Navigator Group. It is well known that it is not the policy of the United States to extend their territory beyond America,. All they look for is trade, and unless Samoan affairs are to be put on some stable footing, and the British Consul not placed so much under German influence, British subjects will leave and British interests cease in a great part of the Pacific. It has also been reported to me that Mr. Powell, the British Consul, has been recalled to England, and Mr. Greenebaum, the Consular Officer of the United States, has also, it has been stated, superseded. 5. The result of the action regarding Mr. Mabin and the recall of these Consuls will of course conclusively prove to the Samoans that the Germans are all-powerful, and that the other nations are not to be compared with Germany in influence. Eumours have been circulated in Samoa that the reason of Mr. Powell's leaving is that he opposed Dr. Stuebel, the German Consul. On the native mind this can have only one effect. 6. If the Navigator Group had been a German colony or a place that could be colonized by German people, it might fairly have been urged that that great Empire should not be denied such a colonial outlet for its surplus population. The fact is, however, that the whole German interests in Samoa are practically in the hands of one German company and one German firm, and the labour that has to be employed by the company is almost wholly Polynesian. To leave the rule of the island in German hands is not therefore to promote the settlement of German people, but to foster the interests of two trading concerns, and to aid them at the expense of all the other traders located in the island. 7. In view of the proposed conference in Washington on Samoan affairs, it may be well to represent to the Imperial Government the need for some international arrangement that will leave trade open to all, and that will not place the Samoan kingdom under the dominion of any one nationality. 8. If it is found impossible to continue the arrangement of the three foreign Consuls advising the native King, with, practically, a foreign municipality not under the King at Apia, the question will be raised what Power is to rule. Annexation by Britain is, I suppose, out of the question, though the native people all desire it, and though guarantees might be given to Germany to protect the interests of her traders. What will then be proposed ? I am afraid that Germany may urge that, as her trade is the largest, she should have the rule. As I have said, this would simply mean annexation by Germany. I feel sure that sooner than see this brought about we should much prefer to have the islands placed under the United States. Could this be arranged? Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., the Agent-General I have, &c, of New Zealand, London. Bobeiit Stout.

Enclosure. Sir, — H.B.M.'s Consulate, Samoa, 27th September, 1886. I have the honour to inform you that I have received a despatch from Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in which I am instructed to request you to retire from the office of Municipal Magistrate at the expiration of six months from the 3rd of April last. At the same time I would venture to convey to you my expressions of regret on losing the services as Police Magistrate of so able and efficient an officer as you have proved yourself to be. I have, &c, Wili-'eed Powell, Thomas Mabin, Esq., Municipal Magistrate. H.B.M.'s Consul.

Sic, — Apia, 30th September, 1886. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th instant, in which you state that you have received instructions from the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to request me to retire from the position of Municipal Magistrate of Apia, at the same time expressing your regret at losing the services as Police Magistrate of so able and efficient an officer as I have proved myself to be. In reply to your letter I beg to say that, as you have given no reasons whatever as to why this remarkable request is .made, I feel compelled to assert my rights as a free man, and to tell you that I do not consider myself a servant of the British Foreign Office, but of the Municipal Board, and that when a majority of that body requests me to resign I shall do so, but not till then. Had I been guilty of any dereliction of duty in my capacity of Magistrate I could have understood being asked to resign by you, but after reading the concluding paragraph of your letter I certainly feel that I would be acting an undignified part were I to quietly submit to the demands of an authority that in this case I do not recognize. In most civilized countries were men. are employed in an official capacity with no definite- term fixed for their retiring, they (if they have performed the duties of their office faithfully) generally get timely notice that their services will be dispensed with, or a money equivalent for the same, but in»this case you, or rather, as you state, the British Foreign Office, requests mo to voluntarily retire from a purely local and hitherto non-political position, when the doing so would cancel any just claim I could have for compensation on account of 2—A. 3.

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no notice having been given. This I consider not only an unfair, but an arbitrary act. For these reasons I shall not voluntarily resign my position as Municipal Magistrate on the terms of your letter, but will wait and submit to the decision of the Municipal Board. I have, &c. Wilfred Powell, Esq., H.B.M.'s Consul. Thos. Mabin.

No. 13. The Agent-Genebal to the Premise. Sib, — 27th January, 1887. Since I wrote to you on Pacific Islands questions some time ago I have had the honour to receive your (printed) letter of the 24th November, in which you trace the important events that had been taking place in the Navigator Group as well as the New Hebrides. I have refrained from addressing you lately on these questions, because I was in hopes that it would be possible for you to be present at the Colonial Conference, where the future of the Pacific Islands is sure to form one of the things that will be most discussed. But, in any case, it would have been useless for me to say much, because in the present dislocated condition of English politics the Imperial Government will say nothing respecting the Pacific Islands that would involve fresh international difficulties, which are crowding upon them on all sides. Since you were writing, Germany has exchanged, in respect to her portion of the Solomon Islands, the position she held under the Delimitation Agreement of last April, for a definite protectorate, while in the Chamber of Deputies, there are signs not only of the old agitation being renewed in the annexation of the New Hebrides, but of a new one arising for the declaration of a French protectorate over so much of the Solomon Islands as Germany has not taken. I enclose a short notice of a speech relating to the New Hebrides, made by Monseigneur Freppel, Bishop of Angers, in the Chamber of Deputies, during a debate on French colonial affairs. I have not had time to make a translation, of M. Froppel's speech from the Journal Officiel for to-nights mail, but I may be allowed to recommend that you should not attach too much weight to it at present, as no Minister referred to it. I think I might safely say that nothing whatever will be done now until the Colonial Conference meets. Whether anything will be done then, and whether any compromise of the kind you indicate can be attempted, really depends entirely upon the previous question, whether any concerted action at all in regard to these Pacific Islands questions will then be possible between the delegates representing Australasia at the Conference. Of the prospects of such a concert, I confess lam not very sanguine now. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure. [Extract from the Times, Monday, 24th January, 1887.] Paris, 22nd January. A debate on colonial affairs, in the course of which the subject of the possession of the New Hebrides was brought prominently forward, took place in the Chamber of Deputies to-day. M. Riohabd Waddington directed attention to the economic and fiscal system prevailing in the French colonies, and urged that in all, and more particularly in Cochin China, customs duties ought to be imposed on foreign imports in order that the commerce of the Mother-country might reap duo advantage. M. Delapobtb informed the House that a Bill in the sense suggested by M. Waddington was actually in course of preparation. Monseigneur Fbeppel, Bishop of Angers, then raised the question of the New Hebrides. He insisted that those islands ought to be united with New Caledonia, and said it was due to a mistake that the Hebrides Archipelago was not attached to New Caledonia in 1853. The omission has lately been partially repaired, but the French occupation must be made permanent and definitive. The claims of England and her Australian colonies had no substantial foundation, and the fears of the Australians as to the creation of a penal settlement could be set at rest by a categorical declaration on the part of the French Government. It was incumbent upon France to establish a protectorate over the New Hebrides. Monseigneur Freppel proceeded to urge that a protectorate should likewise be proclaimed over the leeward group of the Society Islands and over the Solomon Islands, and expressed the fear that France might be forestalled by other nations. The Panama Canal would add greatly to the importance of the French possessions in Oceania. In conclusion, the Bishop dwelt on the necessity of keeping a watchful guard over the whole French colonial domain, the importance of which the country would one day appreciate.

The paradoxical proverb that it is always the unexpected which happens has been verified once again by the course of political events in Prance. The news which wo published on Saturday, that M. Dauphin's amended Budget had been rejected by the Budget Committee by a vote of three to one, is not followed this morning by an announcement that M. Goblet's Ministry or any member of it has resigned. To submit has been the alternative chosen. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday, and the expected crisis was brought to an end by a surrender on the part of M. Dauphin and his colleagues. The Government accept the proposals of the Budget Committee in the place

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-of their own, and the year's deficit is to bo covered by the issue of six-year Treasury bonds to the amount of 167,000,000 francs, instead of by the issue of bonds for 383,000,000 francs, redeemable in sixty-six years. It was not without some difficulty that this strange compromise was agreed upon. The three most important members of the Government, the Premier, the Finance Minister, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs were strongly in favour of adhering to their financial scheme, and of standing or falling by the event. If these views had prevailed, the speedy fall of the Goblet Ministry would have been assured, but the dissentients have not stood out against the -general opinion of their colleagues, and the evil hour has accordingly been put off. The shorter date which has been fixed for the repayment of the new bonds may cause embarrassment to the Ministry of the day when the bonds fall due, but this is rather an affair for M. Goblet's successors than for himself or for any of his staff. To a Ministry which exists on sufferance a delay of six or of sixty years comes to much the same thing. The really grave consideration for France is that these Budget deficits have now come to be looked for as matters of course. Each year adds its regular quota to the enormous debt of the country, and, whatever party or whatever person may be in power, the financial result is the same. The expenditure is largely in excess of the revenue, and when the year's compte definitif is published the alarming truth becomes at length fully known and it alarms nobody. Some further progress was made with the Budget on Saturday in Committee, and there is no reason to suppose that any new crisis will arise at a later date of the proceedings. But the turn which has been given to affairs can hardly have served to strengthen the position of M. Goblet's Ministry, or to increase the very limited confidence reposed in it by the Chamber or by the country. French colonial affairs were the subject before the Chamber on Saturday. The part of the debate which has most interest for this country was a speech by Mgr. Freppel on the New Hebrides queston, to which the Government made no reply. Mgr. Freppel is one of those troublesome ecclesiastics who bring, not peace, but a sword to the business to which they intervene. To a person of this kind the relation of the New Hebrides to France offered an opportunity too tempting to be lost. The excitement which had been caused in our Australian colonies and in this country by alleged French proceedings in the New Hebrides will certainly not be allayed by Mgr. Freppel's speech. The complaint has been that France, in defiance of treaty obligations and indirect opposition to the repeated assurances given by M. de Freycinet, has asserted and maintains something very like a sovereignty over the islands. French military posts are said to have been established there with the French flag floating over them, and acts to have been done involving a claim to exclusive local jurisdiction. Whatever the facts may have been, M. de Freycinet was careful to minimize the meaning which could possibly be attached to them, and to negative the idea that France was aiming at any future annexation of the group. Mgr. Freppel is of a different mind. He is pleased at the thought that something has been already done to correct the mistake of not having formally attached the New Hebrides to New Caledonia as a French possession, and he insists that the policy thus begun must be carried out to its completion by the permanent and definitive establishment of a French protectorate over the islands. Nor will he be content even with this. He has an eye also to the Solomon Islands and to the leeward group of the Society Islands, and to thus bringing French colonial possessions into close neighbourhood to another point of the Australian coast. The natural fear of our colonies is that French acquisitions in Oceania mean for them so many new penal settlements, into which France will deport her worst class of convicts, and whence they will find their way, with or without her connivance, to the nearest unguarded coast. This apprehension Mgr. Freppel condescends to notice and to meet in a manner satisfactory to himself. Having declared that neither England nor Australia has any rights in the matter of the New Hebrides, and that France consequently has a free hand to deal with them just as she will, he adds that a declaration on the part of the French Government that they shall not be used for the creation of a penal settlement will be amply sufficient to dispel all alarms. We doubt if the Australian colonies will be as easily satisfied as Mgr. Freppel thinks. What they might ask, could be the value of a prospective declaration put by Mgr. Freppel into the mouth of a Government which would have disclaimed the most explicit assurances of their predecessors, and have set at naught the most indisputable! treaty engagements before the occasion could arise at which such a declaration would need to be made. It could only be by a breach of public faith that France would be in a position to create a penal settlement in the New Hebrides. The adviser who suggests that she should break faith once would have no scruple in urging a repetition of the course, if it happened to be found convenient a second time. We do not believe that France will dishonour itself by following Mgr. Freppel's counsel. But, once as a defaulter, her claim to be trusted again would be much too slender for her new promises to have the calming and reassuring effect which Mgr. Freppel has no hesitation in ascribing to them. It would have been more satisfactory if some formal reply had been made to Mgr. Freppel's speech, but we need attach no great significance to the silence with which it was received. It was perhaps felt that the aggressive orator was at once irresponsible and irrepressible. One important difference between the English and the French colonial systems was brought out clearly in the course of Saturday's debate. M. Eichard Waddington calls for customs duties on foreign imports in all French colonies, and particularly in Cochin China, and he his informed in reply, by M. Delaporte, that a Bill to impose them is in preparation. The object is that the commerce of the Mother-country may have some advantage from the existence of these colonies. It is the absence of any such arrangement which makes the spread of English colonization a common benefit to the world, and it is its general introduction into French colonies which has sunk them to the level at which they stand. Their existence under such management is a questionable advantage to France and less than none to any other Power. *

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No. 14. The Agent-General to the Premier. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 26th January, 1887. I transmit to you herewith copy of a letter I have received from the Colonial Office, covering a circular despatch from the Secretary of State to the Governors of the Australasian Colonies and the Acting High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, announcing the assumption by Germany of a protectorate over that part of the Solomon Islands group which came within the sphere of German influence under the delimitation agreement of the 6th April last, and also covering a letter of protection granted by the German Emperor to the New Guinea Company in relation to the islands in question. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure. Sm, — Colonial Office, Downing Street, 20th January, 1887. With reference to the letter from this department of the 3rd of May last, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Stanhope to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a circular despatch which he has addressed to the Governors of the Australasian Colonies and to the Acting High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, with its enclosures, respecting the assumption by Germany of the protectorate of a portion of the Solomon Islands, and the letter of protection issued by His Majesty the Emperor of Germany to the New Guinea Company in relation to those islands. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Eobert G. M. Herbert.

Sub-Enclosures. Sic, — Downing Street, 11th January, 1887. With reference to the declaration of the 6th of April, relating to the demarcation of British and German spheres of influence in the Western Pacific, a copy of which accompanied my despatch of the 3rd of May last, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office, with its enclosure, announcing the assumption by Germany under that declaration of the protectorate of a portion of the Solomon Islands. I also transmit to you copies of a letter from the Foreign Office containing the letter of protection issued by His Majesty the German Emperor to the New Guinea Company with respect to these islands, and of a further letter from that department enclosing a despatch addressed to Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin in regard to the issue of certain prohibitions within the protected territory. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. Edwakd Stanhope.

The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Foreign Office, sth January, 1887. With reference to my letter of the 31st ultimo, I am directed by the Earl of Iddesleigh to transmit to you, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, the accompanying copy of a despatch which has been addressed to Her Majesty's ambassador at Berlin in regard to the issue of a prohibition by the German Government against the acquisition of new territories and the sale of arms or spirits to the natives in that part of the Solomon Islands which has been added to the protected territory belonging to the German New Guinea Company. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. J. Pauncefote.

Lord Iddesleigh to Sir E. Malet. Sir, — Foreign Office, 24th December, 1886. With reference to your Excellency's Despatch No. 512, of the 18th instant, I have to acquaint you that the German charge d'affaires at this Court called hero to-day, and stated that he had been instructed to inform Her Majesty's Government that in that part of the Solomon Islands which has been added to the protected territory of the German New Guinea Company it has been forbidden for the present to acquire new territories from the natives, or to sell arms, munitions of war, or spirits to the natives. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir E. Malet, G.C.8., &c. Iddesleigh.

The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sik, — Foreign Office, 23rd December, 1880. I am directed by the Earl of Iddesleigh to transmit to you, to be laid before Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, the accompanying copy of a communication from the German Ambassador at this Court, announcing the assumption by Germany of the protectorate of the Solomon Islands under the Anglo-German declaration of the 6th April, 1886. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. P. W. Cubbie.

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(Teanslation.) , •.; Count Hatzfeldt to the Earl of Iddesleigh. My Lord, — German Embassy, 20th December, 1886. I am instructed to inform Her Majesty's Government officially that that part of the Solomon Islands which lies to the north of the line of' demarcation drawn by the Anglo-German declaration of the 6th April, 1886, has, subject to the reservation of well-founded rights of third parties, been placed under the protection of His Majesty the Emperor, and that the flag has been hoisted as a sign of the taking of possession. I avail, &c, The Earl of Iddesleigh, &c. Hatzfeldt.

The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sib,— Foreign Office, 31st December, 1886. With reference to my letter of the 23rd instant, I am directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a despatch, as marked in the margin, relating to the Solomon Islands. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. J. Pauncefote.

Sir E. Malet to the Earl of Iddesleigh. My Loed, — Berlin, 18th December, 1886. I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith translation of a letter of pro T tection over the Solomon Islands granted by the Emperor to the German New Guinea Company, which was published in the official Gazette of the 16th instant. I have, &c, : Edwaed B. Malet.

(Translation.) Lettee of Peotection issued to the New Guinea Company with respect to the Islands of the Solomon Group which are under German Protection. His Majesty the Emperor has been graciously pleased to grant the following letter of protection to the New Guinea Company : — " We, William, by God's grace German Emperor, King of Prussia, &c, announce and publish as follows: — " The New Guinea Company having made a request in Berlin that those islands of the Solomon Group which lie to the north of the dividing-line agreed to by our Government and that of Great Britain on the 6th April, 1886, should be annexed to the territories under their protection ; and the New Guinea Company having also declared itself ready to undertake the government (' Herrschaft') of the said islands under our sovereignty (' Oberhoheit'), in accordance with the regulations contained in our letter of protection of the 17th May, 1885; and the said islands having since been placed under our protection by the officer of one of our men-of-war appointed for that duty; " We therefore grant to the New Guinea Company this our letter of protection over the abovementioned islands of the Solomon Group in accordance with the regulations laid down in our letter of protection of the 17th May, 1885, and certify hereby that we have taken over the sovereignty over these islands. " In witness whereof we have signed this our letter of protection with our own hand and affixed our seal thereto. " Done at Berlin, the 13th December, 1886. " (1.5.) William. " Countersigned for the Chancellor, Count Bismarck."

No. 15. The Peemiee to the Agent-Genekal. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 26th February, 1887. You will have seen the telegrams relative to the recent disturbances at Tonga, and I now have the honour to forward, for your information, copies of the telegrams that have passed between Admiral Tryon and this Government as to the desirability of despatching a British man-of-war to the scene. I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., G. 8., Agent-General. Eobeet Stout.

Enclosures. The Peemiee to Bear-Admiral Teyon. His Excellency Admiral Tryon, ship "Nelson," Auckland. Ido not know if your attention has been called to the serious disturbances in Tonga. It was pointed out some time ago by our Government that disturbances were imminent. As His Excellency the Governor is out of reach of the telegraph, I would, on behalf of Government, most strongly urge that a British man-of-war should be sent with the utmost despatch to Tonga. lam afraid that either one of the combatants may ask the aid of some foreign man-of-war, and were such done it would mean in the end the permanent occupation of the island by a foreign Power. Ihis would 3—A. 3.

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be disastrous to Fiji and to the British interests in the Pacific. May I ask you to reply what course you will adopt, as we are cabling London and Melbourne ? Wellington, 10th February, 1887. Bobkbt Stout, Premier.

Bear-Admiral Tryon to the Premier. Sir Eobert Stout, Premier for New Zealand, Wellington. I have seen Captain Lane, of the schooner " Maile." Mr. Baker was shot at on thirteenth January. Schooner arrived Tonga on eighteenth; left twenty-fourth for Auckland. The only chief in rebellion had been captured before he left. Our Consul would arrive on seventh February. The High Commissioner and Consul-General will have full information on the thirteenth—viz., in three days from this. Who shot at Mr. Baker is not yet known. The disturbance that arose some days afterwards was due to the men sent for from Hapai and Vavu. The Wesleyans chiefly suffered. Things were quieting down when schooner left. The King's orders were obeyed. Mr. Baker said he would send at once most of the men from Hapai and Vavu back. There was no excuse for calling in external aid. I hold a vessel in readiness ; but, unless necessary, do not propose sending one till end of hurricane season. Captain Lane appears to be a very intelligent, steady, and reliable man. G. Tryon, Wellington, 10th February, 1887. Admiral.

The Pebmieb to Bear-Admiral Tryon. His Excellency Admiral Tryon, H.M.S. " Nelson," Auckland. Tonga : The disturbance may pass away. Let us say the probability is that it will do so. But, seeing that it is the result of circumstances gradually accumulating for years, and that every one agrees that, sooner or later, a graver disturbance must take place, it cannot be denied there is much to be dreaded. The risk is great; for if the difficulty arises, and no vessel of Her Majesty's is on the spot, the appeal to a foreign vessel would be inevitable. Robert Stout, Wellington, 11th February, 1887. Premier. {Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,400 copies), £9 7s. Od.J

B7 Authority: Geoeob Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB6-