A.—s.

Enclosure No. 6. The Peemiee to Sir Heney Pabkes, Sydney. Chief Secretary, Sydney. New Caledonian prisoners. Strict inquiry shows that, although the schooner was chartered by New Caledonian Government, the convicts who came paid their own passages to Auckland, and that they were not, as first stated, paid by Government. The convicts were at liberty to go to France or elsewhere. The Communists had passages provided by Government, and are forbidden to land in French territory. Am instructing Agent-General to suspend action, and to inform your representative. On receipt of your promised letter, will communicate further. John Hall. Wellington, Feb. 24th. [A like message, on same date, to Queensland and Victoria.]

Enclosure No. 7. The Agent-General to the Peemiee. (Eeceived 25/2/80.) Premier, New Zealand. Seceetaey of State for Colonies has requested Foreign Office speedily as possible move French Government discontinue shipment convicts New Zealand. Gravity of matter specially urged. Vogel. London, Feb. 24.

Enclosure No. 8. The Agent- Geneeal to the Peemiee, (Eeceired 25/2/80.) Premier, New Zealand. Hate sent last copy telegram re New Caledonia to Colonial Office. Vohel. London, Feb. 24.

Enclosure No. 9. The Mayor of Auckland to the Colonial Seceetaey. The Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Auckland, 25th February, 1880. This Council desires most emphatically to express the strong feeling of indignation which exists among the citizens of Auckland with reference to the action of the French authorities of New Caledonia, in sending a vessel with released convicts to our shores. The Council calls upon the Government to take immediate and decided steps to protect the citizens from a repetition of this obnoxious form of immigration with which they are threatened. Thos. Peacock, Mayor.

Enclosure No. 10. The Colonial Seceetaey to the Mayor of Auckland. His "Worship the Mayor, Auckland. "Wellington, 2Gth February, 1880. In reply to your Worship's message, expressing indignation at action of French authorities at New Caledonia, in sending a vessel with released convicts to New Zealand, Mr. Hall directs me to say, question is engaging the careful attention of Government. If it should be established that the action of New Caledonian Government has been such as to justify a remonstrance on the part of this Government, the necessary steps will be taken for that purpose. G. S. Cooper.

Enclosure No. 11. Eepoet of the Superintendent of Police, Auckland. New Zealand Constabulary, District Office, Sib,— Auckland, 2lst February, 1880. Referring to my telegram of the 18th instant, I have the honor to forward herewith a list and personal description of the French political prisoners or depories landed here ex " Griffin " from New Caledonia; also of the convicts per same vessel, including one of the latter who stowed away on board. Those men are at present all doing their utmost to obtain employment, and sis of the latter have gone to Whangarei for that purpose, respecting whom I have instructed the constable there. Telegram attached hereto. I beg also to furnish herewith a copy of report re this matter, supplied by me to the Hon. the Attorney-General by his express instructions, together with copy of the enclosures therein. I have, &c, E. C. Shearman, Esq., Superintendent in Charge J. Bell Thomson, pf North Island Police, Wellington. Superintendent,

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