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Enclosure 3. Sir, — Queensland Colonial Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 27th August, 1885. With reference to Lord Derby's despatch of the 12th June last, on the subject of the defences of King George's Sound, and to your letter of the loth instant, I have now the honour to enclose for your information a copy of a letter which I have addressed to Sir Anthony Musgrave, and which expresses the opinions of this Government on the subject of the defences of King George's Sound and Thursday Island. I shall be glad to be favoured with your views on the subject. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New Zealand. S. W. Griffith.

Sub-Enclosure. The Colonial Secretary, Queensland, to Sir Anthony Musgrave. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 17th August, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt from your Excellency of Lord Derby's Despatch No. 32, of the 12th June last, with respect to the defenceles. condition of King George's Sound, in which the Secretary of State communicates a scheme of defence for that port which has been recommended by the Inspector-General of Fortifications, and invites this Government to consider the proposals in conjunction with the Governments of the other Australian Colonies, and communicate their views to Her Majesty's Government. 2. After consideration of the matter this Government has no difficulty in at once expressing its willingness to join with the Governments of the Australian Colonies in establishing and maintaining the suggested scheme of defence, on the basis of a contribution in proportion to the population of the several colonies. 3. I think it right, however, to invite the attention of Her Majesty's Government to the position of Thursday Island, which is in many respects analogous to that of King George's Sound, as has been recently pointed out by Admiral Tryon in a despatch addressed by him on the 17th June last to Lord Augustus Loftus. Although this Government is not disposed to stipulate as a condition to its joining in the necessary measures for the defence of King George's Sound that the two places should be dealt with in the same manner, it is thought that the other colonies may fairly be called upon to share with Queensland the cost of establishing and maintaining a proper scheme of defence in Torres Straits. 4. I propose to communicate at once with the other colonies in the sense of this letter, of which, with your Excellency's permission, I propose to send them copies. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir Anthony Musgrave, G.C.M.G., S. W. Griffith. Governor.

Enclosure 4. Sir, — Premier's Office, Melbourne, 28th August, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, requiring the views of this Government in regard to the proposition that the several Australasian Colonies should assist in providing for the defence of King George's Sound, Western Australia. With reference to this subject, I beg to state that this Government fully recognizes the importance of protecting King George's Sound from attack, and concurs generally in the views in regard thereto expressed in the despatch from the Right Hon. the Secretary of State, dated the 12th June ultimo, referred to in your communication. While, however, I have no hesitation in saying that full and careful consideration would be given, on the part of this colony, to any well-matured scheme for the attainment of the desired object, I cannot but entertain the gravest doubts as to the possibility of arriving at any satisfactory determination in the matter in combination with the other Governments interested, through the medium of correspondence only, whether through the post or telegram. Several instances have occurred of late—some of which will, doubtless, readily present themselves to your mind—illustrating the almost insuperable difficulties which stand in the way of bringing a number of distinct and distant Governments into accord in regard to points of great importance to all; and lam forced to the conclusion that the only solution of the difficulty is to be found in the constitution of some authoritative body empowered to deal with matters of general concern to the several communities. I have, &c, James Service, The Hon. the Premier of New Zealand, Wellington. Premier.

Enclosure 5. Sir, — Premier's Office, Hobart, 2~th August, 1885. In reply to your letter of the 15th instant, requesting to be informed of the views of this Government on the question of the defence of Albany, King George's Sound, I have the 2—A. 1.