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No. 11. The Premier to F. H. Prichard, Esq. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 10th September, 1885. In accordance w Tith the promise contained in my letter of the 10th ultimo, I now enclose a copy of the report of the Committee of the House of Representatives that was appointed to consider the petition from settlers and colonists of Fiji, and the general position of the Western Pacific Islands in their relation to New Zealand. I have, &c, F. H. Prichard, Esq., Levuka, Fiji. Robert Stout.

1.-8, 1885,

No. 12. The Agent-General to the Premier. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 10th September, 1885. I have received your telegram of to-day informing me that Parliament had resolved that it would be expedient to establish closer relations with Fiji and Samoa, without incurring serious pecuniary liability ; also, that it was essential for Rapa to be under British control; and directing me to urge these views on the Colonial Office. I shall take as early an opportunity as possible of carrying out your instructions. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 0.

No. 13. The Premier to F. H. Prichard, Esq. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 15th September, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, forwarding a further supplementary sheet of the petition for annexation, which I yesterday presented to Parliament. I have, &c, F. H. Prichard, Esq., Levuka, Fiji. Robert Stout.

No. 8

No. 14. The Premier to the King of Samoa. Sire,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 28th September, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th August, and am much pleased to learn that mine of the 2nd April last was appreciated by your Majesty. At the same time lam very sorry to learn that the unsatisfactory state of affairs still continues. I had hoped that long ere this the German Government would have instructed its officers to refrain. I have delivered your letter to His Excellency the Governor of this colony, and I have no doubt he will again direct the attention of the British Government to the subject. I have heard from our Agent-General in London that matters relating to the islands are still under consideration between the English and German Governments, but that nothing definite has been arrived at. Meanwhile I can only repeat my assurances of the good wishes of this Government. I have, &c, His Majesty the King of Samoa, Mulinuu. Robert Stout.

A.-1,1886,N0. 1. A.-4d,'85,N0.72.

No. 15. The Premier to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 28th September, 1885. I had the honour, on the 10th instant, to send you a telegram stating the result of the deliberations of the Committee of the House of Representatives to whom was referred the petition of Fiji, and the question as to the attitude of New Zealand towards the Pacific Islands; and on the same date I forwarded to you the full report of that Committee. I now send you the debate that took place in the House regarding New Guinea; and I shall briefly refer to the views of the Government on these various questions. 1. As to New Guinea, the impression of the House was that it was unwise for them to express any opinion as to what the future government of that territory should be until the views of the Home Government and. of the other colonies had been expressed. We will, however, have to go on paying our proportionate share of the £15,000 a year. The Victorian Parliament, I believe, will come to the resolution that this payment should be made for five years. In our memorandum to His Excellency Major-General Scratchley we thought three years would be sufficient. The House of Eepresentatives has not expressed any opinion on that point, and therefore the matter must remain as it is for this year. We have made one payment of £2,668 18s. 9d., and will not be called upon to make another payment until the House meets next year. When General Scratchley was here a few months since he stated that scarcely any of the money contributed by the colonies had been used. After his visit to New Guinea the Housejnay be better able to come to some definite conclusion. From the debate that has taken place in the Victorian Parliament it would appear that it is assumed in Victoria that the islands will soon be open for trade. I am, however, doubt-

No. 9,