A.—l

10

12. The trade of the United States in the various Polynesian groups is understood to be large ; and commerce with those islands is certainly capable of vast extension. 13. It is almost certain that were a Pacific cable completed to the north of New Zealand, tho French Government would contribute liberally towards the connection of New Caledonia with the system ; and it is probable that the Tahitian group would also soon be united. 14. The project of such a Pacific telegraph has been brought under the notice of citizens of the United States who were amongst the earliest promoters of the telegraph system, and who are earnest advocates of its extension. Intelligence received from the Agent General for New Zealand— who recently passed through America on his way to London —warrants the assertion that by many gentlemen of the class mentioned, as well as by merchants of New York and San Francisco, such aid as the Conference directed New Zealand to ask, would be regarded as a help to science and to trade, and as generally a wise concession on the part of the United States Government. 15. For these reasons, it is submitted that the application on behalf of the Conference deserves to be very favourably considered by the Government of tho United States. The Commissioner suggests that at present only two questions should be dealt with, namely—Whether, supposing fair arrangements for the great work contemplated be found possible, the United States will contribute liberally towards its cost, by which course alone its accomplishment will be made practicable ; and whether the Government will authorize the landing of the cable upon that point of its territory which may be considered best suited for the purpose. "Wellington, 9th April, 1877. George McLean. Declared Value of Imports during 1875, from the United States to Australasia. New South Wales ... ... ... ... ... ... £203,539 New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ... 213,492 Queensland ... ... ... ... ... ... 15,263 South Australia ... ... ... ... ... ... 28,502 Tasmania ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,583 Victoria ... ... ... ... ... 353,141 Western Australia (no return). Total ... ... ... ... ... £819,520

No. 10. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor the Most Hon. tbe Marquis of Normanby to tbe Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. (No. 26.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 31st May, 1877. In reply to your Lordship's Despatch No. 14, of tbe 22nd April last, on the subject of postal communication with Eiji, I bave tbe honor to inform your Lordship that my Government assure me that, beyond the question of the extra expense, no objection whatever bas been raised by them to the mail steamers plying between San Erancisco and Australia calling at Eiji, and that they consented to the alterations in the original route at the urgent request of the Company holding the contract, who objected to calling at Kandavau, on account of the risk entailed from tbe want of proper lights. 2. Your Lordship is aware that the San Erancisco Service is a joint one between New South Wales and New Zealand, and that consequently the arrangements do not depend entirely on this colony. 3. My Government bave always been most anxious to maintain communication with Eiji, and a subsidy was voted by Parliament for tbat purpose, and, should it he found impossible for tbe San Erancisco Mails to call there, they would be quite prepared to ask Parliament to renew tbeir subsidy. I bave, &c, Tbe Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. NORMANBY.

No. 11. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby to the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. (No. 30.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 18th June, 1877. Referring to your Lordship's circulars of the lGth February and the Ist of March, 1877, on the subject of tbe Paris Exhibition to be held in 1878, I have