A.—4c.

Sub-Enclosure 2. [From the Argus newspaper of 20th December, 1884.] Geemany in the Pacific—Eepoeted Annexations. (By Telegraph. Prom our Correspondent.) Brisbane, Friday. The following telegram was received from Cooktown to-night: " H.M.S. ' Eaven ' arrived on Tuesday afternoon from New Guinea, bringing a number of sealed telegrams for the Home and colonial authorities, also two for Berlin, and one for the German Consulate at Sydney, from Hernsheim and Co., Matupi, the latter having been brought to New Guinea by H.M.S. ' Swinger ' from New Britain. Information relative to German annexation is held back until the Home and other authorities have been communicated with, but yesterday rumours were current here that the German warship ' Elizabeth,' after leaving Sydney, proceeded to Singapore or some other Eastern port, where she was joined by four other vessels, and then proceeded to New Guinea and annexed that portion of the island not previously annexed by England, and also New Britain, New Ireland, and the Duke of York, the Admiralty, and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands. This is all the information obtainable here at present. The ' Eaven,' having coaled, will return to New Guinea probably to-morrow." The Government has received no intelligence confirmatory of the above.

No. 65. The Peemiee, New Zealand, to the Peemiee, Victoria. Sie, — Government Offices, Wellington, 19th January, 1885. I have the honour to inform you that your circular of the 6th instant, addressed to the Premier, and covering copies of a memorandum for His Excellency the Governor of Victoria respecting " the recent action of Germany in New Guinea and the Western Pacific," was received here during Mr. Stout's absence from Wellington. Copies of the memorandum have been sent to Mr. Stout in Dunedin, and I am sure he will be glad to know that I have, on his behalf, congratulated you upon your able review of an important branch of the annexation question, and thanked you for so promptly communicating it to this Government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Melbourne. J. Ballanoe.

No. 66. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 26th January, 1885. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th November last, relating to the one I had the honour to address to you on the 7th October. Greatly as I should have desired to ask your consideration to one or two points in which I cannot but think I have been quite misunderstood, I feel that the most respectful course for me is to refrain from saying anything beyond the acknowledgment I gladly make of the generous spirit towards myself which your letter evidences. I can only continue in the future, as I have wished in the past, to do what may be in my power to help in giving effect to the policy which, no one more completely than I can recognize, it is the province of the Government, and not of the AgentGeneral, to lay down. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 67. The Acting- Colonial Seceetaey, New South Wales, to the Peemiee, New Zealand. Have just despatched copy of telegram, now forwarded, to Agent-General of this Government, as follows : " Have seen and conferred with General Scratchley, whose position is much embarrassed, first, by misconception on part of Imperial Government that the cost of his establishment is to be exclusively borne by Australian Colonies; and, second, by no provision having been made for his transport to the scene of his government. We have informed him that our share of the fifteen thousand pounds provided by the colonies for this year can be had by him at once, and that we are prepared to submit a proposal for increased contribution, if such a course is acceptable to other Australian Colonies, and if fair share of such contribution, is paid by Imperial Government. To surmount by temporary arrangement difficulty of transport, we have to-day offered General Scratchley the use of the ' Wolverine ' for a period of six months, this colony maintaining the ship in her present condition. This offer has been gratefully accepted, and the vessel will be shortly placed at General Scratchley's disposal." Sydney, 28th January, 1885. William Bede Dalley.

No. 68. The Peemieb, Victoria, to the Peemiee, New Zealand. Fedeeal Council Bill. Be amendments proposed by Imperial Government, have had long conversations with Mr. Griffiths, Premier, Queensland, who is now here, and are thoroughly agreed as follows : Amendments —clause one, merely verbal, agree. Clause three should not be struck out, but proviso added as follows : " subject to provisions herein contained in respect of the operation of

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