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question and occupy ground at Apia belonging to the natives. On the following day, between 3 and 4 o'clock p.m., this decision was given effect to. The Samoan flag was then hoisted on the new premises. Immediately afterwards the German Consul requested that the flag might be pulled down. On this request being refused the officer in question went on board the "Albatross." By this time the natives had become very much excited. They had armed themselves, and were bent on defending their flag. The English and American Consuls advised that the natives should remain quiet, or otherwise trouble would probably arise. The King then instructed a member of the Government, J. T. Upolu, whose signature is attached to this letter, to call upon the natives, numbering over three hundred, to lay clown their arms. Upon these instructions being given they were fortunately obeyed. Shortly afterwards a boat's crew, under arms, came off from the "Albatross," accompanied by the German Consul. He was waited upon by the English and American Consuls, who protested in vain against his proceedings. He then requested the King to pull down the flag. The demand not being complied with, the Consul gave instructions to one of the sailors, who then and there pulled down the Samoan flag. As your Excellency may suppose, the King, the Government, and the natives felt the indignity very keenly. The proceeding, moreover, was in direct violation of the treaty which had been entered into with Germany, one of the terms of which was that we were to fly our own flag. Under the circumstances a meeting of the King and several members of the Government was at once held to consider the state of affairs. After discussing matters it was decided that two members of the Government should at once be despatched to the New Zealand Government for the purpose of stating what had occurred, and of representing the desirability of having Samoa annexed to New Zealand. This mission we were selected to carry out. We wish at the same time to state that the usual mail left Apia early on the 31st December, carrying despatches to Germany, which could not, of course, contain any intelligence of the outrage, as it had not been committed until after the mail had left. We started from Apia on the Ist January, and fortunately succeeded in catching the mail-steamer " Mariposa" at Tutuila, by which we came to Auckland. As your Excellency is aware, we arrived at Wellington on the 14th instant. Erom the foregoing narrative it will be seen what a very unsatisfactory state the Samoan Government is in at present, owing to the unwarrantable proceedings on the part of the German authorities. We feel persuaded that unless some measures are promptly taken to assist us the Samoan people will suffer further humiliation at the hands of Germany, and that, instead of our advancing in civilization as we wish to do, we shall be oppressed by a Power which has already treated us most unjustly. We would respectfully suggest that steps should be immediately taken by the Colonial Government to inquire, at Samoa, into the administration of its affairs, in order to obtain for itself information on the subject. We would also recommend that inquiry should be made with regard to the productions and resources of our country, as we believe that a large trade, comparatively speaking, might be carried on between Samoa and New Zealand, which would be mutually advantageous. We wish to convey our thanks to your Excellency, and to the Government, for the kind reception which has been given to us. In conclusion, we have to ask your Excellency to be good enough to lay this communication before the Colonial Government. We have, &c, TuiLETUFUGA UpALU, Adviser to King Malietoa, and Member of the Government. Seu Manutafa, Member of the Government, and Governor of Samoa.

Enclosure 3. Extracts from New Zealand Times, 11th and 12th January; Lyttelton Times, 25th January.

No. 29. (No. 13.) Sir, — Christchurch, New Zealand, 28th January, 1886. I have the honour to report that Rear-Admiral Tryon, Naval Com-mander-in-Chief of the Australasian Station, arrived at Auckland last month in H.M.S. " Nelson," on a visit to New Zealand. He subsequently proceeded to Wellington, at which place I met him on the 14th instant. On the 21st January I held a meeting at Government House, at which the Admiral was present, in order to discuss with my Ministers the question, in so far as it concerned New Zealand, of the naval defence of Australasia. As, however, only four of my Ministers could he present, a decision upon the question as to the proposal this Government would be prepared to submit to Parliament was deferred.