A.—3

6

that of King Malietoa. The British and United States Consuls at Apia have drawn up a formal protest against the subversion of King Malietoa's authority through German influence. In response from the King for protection, the American Consul has hoisted the Samoan flag under that of the United States, and has telegraphed to President Cleveland reporting the establishment of this protectorate.

[Extract from tho Daily News, 2nd June, 188G.] The United States and Samoa. (Through Eeuter's Agency.) Washington, Ist June, 1886. Me. Bataed, Secretary of State, has received a short despatch from the United States Consul at Apia, announcing that he has hoisted the Samoan flag beneath that of the United States as a recognition of the rights of King Malietoa against the pretensions of King Tamasese. The despatch contains no further particulars.

No. 9. Ministers to the Governor. (Memorandum.) Wellington, 7th June, 1886. Ministers have the honour to return the despatch of the Right Hon. the Secretary of State, Earl Granville, No. 18, of the 11th March, 1886, with its enclosures. 2. Ministers believe that there is no truth in the allegation that any British subjects from New Zealand caused, or intended to cause, disturbances in Samoa. So far as Ministers have been informed, they understood that Messrs. Lusk, Eees, and Napier, three barristers of the Supreme Court, have gone to Samoa to have the matter in dispute between the Auckland Syndicate and Messrs. McArthur and Co. judicially settled before the Deputy High Commissioner. 3. Ministers regret that Mr. Thurston should have written as he has done to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. If he had placed himself in communication with the New Zealand Government, every information that was at its disposal would have been afforded to him. It seems strange that he should have made the grave charges contained in paragraph 8 of his letter without communicating with the authorities in New Zealand, and without due inquiry. Who the " more prominent persons " may be Ministers are not aware. If he intends to refer to any person in any official position, his reference is unaccountable. Ministers are not aware of any "prominent persons in New Zealand employing Mr. Lundon as agent to secure the annexation of Samoa," nor, as far as Ministers are aware, was Mr.. Lundon accredited to Samoa by any persons but those who employed him, namely, those who thought they had claims to land in the Navigator Group. 4. The action that the Government took last year in reference to Samoa is known to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The object of Ministers was to ascertain the position of affairs in the islands, and to promote trade relations between them and New Zealand for the benefit of all persons engaged in such commerce, without regard to their nationality. 0. This correspondence shows the need of more frequent visits of Her Maj'esty's ships to the Pacific Islands, and some better mode of dealing with the land claims of British subjects than now exists. Since writing the above, Ministers learn that the claims of Messrs. McArthur and Co. have been adjudicated on, and given in their favour by the Deputy High Commissioner. Eobekt Stout.

No. 10. Ministers to the Governor. (Memorandum.) ■ Wellington, 16th June, 1886. The Premier has the honour to forward for His Excellency's information a copy of a proclamation issued by the United States Consul at Samoa. He may add that if the United States were to assume the protectorate of the islands, it would be more pleasing to this colony than that matters should remain in their present position, and the islands be under German influence. People in the colonies hardly look upon the United States as a foreign nation. The fact that the people in the States speak the same language, and are mainly of the same race as ourselves, binds us closer to them than to the European nations that have attempted to interfere in Pacific affairs. Bobebt Stout.

Enclosure. Proclamation. To the Hon. Bekthold Geeenebaum, United States Consul, Apia. Sic, Government House, Apia, 13th May, 1886. As the Kingdom of Samoa has applied to the United States of America for assistance and protection, and as it is said that some of the Samoan people now (unhappily) in rebellion against my authority, are fearful that the guns of American and. English men-of-war will be turned against them, we desire you to issue a proclamation to allay such fears, and to bid all people in Samoa to be quiet and orderly, and to go to their own villages and there live in a peaceful and orderly manner. Malietoa, King of Samoa. Selu, Secretary of State.