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A.—3

ment-in-chief of the Governor of New Zealand, I see no considerable difficulty in the way. If he should be made personally responsible for the details of government, it would certainly be necessary for him to pay to the islands at first a visit of some duration, and to visit them subsequently at occasional periods. To this there is not now likely to be any obstacle in the condition of New Zealand, and steam communication is regular and rapid. I have, &c, James Fergusson, The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. Governor.

Pact I. Despatches from the Grovernor.

No. 7. (No. 37.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 24th June, 1874. I have the honor to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a Memorandum which has been addressed to me by the Premier on behalf of the Ministry, explanatory of their proposal made to Her Majesty's Government in my Despatch No. 65, of Ist August, 1873, that in the event of Her Majesty's Government not being prepared to undertake any direct responsibilities with respect to the Navigator Islands, the Government of New Zealand should be permitted to make such arrangements with the chiefs of those islands as would protect New Zealand interests; which proposal the Earl of Kimberley considered to be too undefined to enable Her Majesty's Government to form an opinion thereupon. 2. I have so fully described what I believed to be the sentiments of the Government and of the public of New Zealand upon this subject, and upon the large questions connected with it, that I do not think your Lordship will expect me to make any remarks upon the present communication. • . I have, &c, James Fergusson, The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. Governor.

No. 7, page 11. No. 3, page 14.

IV.—DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES. No. 1. (No. 10.) Sir, — Downing Street, 23rd February, 1872. Her Majesty's Government have had under their consideration your Despatch No. 112, of 24th November, transmitting a Memorandum by your Advisers, with a copy of a Resolution adopted by the Legislative Council of New Zealand, on the subject of the Navigator Islands. Her Majesty's Government are not insensible to the fact that the increase of commerce in the Pacific, and the constant advance of European settlement in those regions, must render the South Sea Islands of far greater interest than formerly. They are not, however, prepared to advise Her Majesty to take upon herself further direct responsibilities, such as would be entailed upon her by the assumption of sovereignty or of a protectorate over the Navigator Islands. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. Kimberley.

No. 1, page 13.

No. 2. (No. 78.) Sir, — Downing Street, 18th December, 1872. I have to acknowledge your Despatch No. 56, of 26th June, forwarding a Ministerial Memorandum on questions relating to the Navigator Islands. I enclose, for your information, a copy of a correspondence which has passed on the subject between this office and the Foreign Office. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. Kimberley. Enclosures. Mr. Holland to the Under Secretary, Foreign Office. Sir, — - Downing Street, 11th September, 1872. With reference to your letter of 22nd June, and to previous correspondence, I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, to be laid before Eai'l Granville, the copy of a Despatch from the Governor of New Zealand, enclosing a Ministerial Memorandum from the Postmaster-General of the Colony respecting certain questions connected with the Navigator Islands. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Foreign Office. H. T. Holland.

No. 2, page 14.