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recourse should be had to them for the purpose. He had made to Her Majesty's Government a proposal which, if it had been accepted, would have put an end altogether to the transportation of French criminals to the Pacific. He had, in deference to your Lordship's views, consented to postpone the despatch of criminals to New Caledonia until your Lordship should have had time to communicate with the Australian Colonies respecting his proposals. This was in March last, the proposal had not been accepted, and he could not interfere further with the regular execution of the laws and regulations by the departments concerned. I did not conceal the regret I felt at this language, but finding, after some further discussion, that I could not obtain, anything more satisfactory, I concluded by saying that it remained for me, in obedience to instructions which I had received from your Lordship, to make a fresh protest on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. I have, &c, Lyons.

Enclosure 2. [Extract from the Times, Friday, 3rd September, 1886.] The New Hebeides. In answer to Sir S. Wilson, Mr. E. Stanhope said, —The action of the French officials in the New Hebrides has for some time been under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, and representations have been made to the French Government which, as we trust, will speedily place matters upon a satisfactory footing. The negotiations, however, not being yet completed, it would not be possible to lay on the table at the present moment any of the correspondence relating to this subject.

No. 2. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 16th September, 1886. In continuation of my letter of the 9th instant, No. 1107, I transmit to you herewith copy of a letter I have received from the Colonial Office, covering a despatch from Her Majesty's Embassy at Paris to the Foreign Office, relating to the decree issued by the President of the French Bepublic designating the Isie of Pines as a place for the " collective relegation " of recidivistes. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

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Enclosure 1. The Colonial Office to the Agent-Geneeal. Sie, — Colonial Office, Downing Street, 15th September, 1886. With reference to previous correspondence I am directed by Mr. Secretary Stanhope to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a letter with its enclosure from the Foreign Office relative to the selection of the Island of Pines by the French Government as a settlement for relapsed criminals. Copies of these papers have been forwarded to the Governors of the Australasian Colonies. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. John Bhamston.

Sub-Enclosure. The Fobeign Office to the Colonial Office. Sie, — Foreign Office, 4th September, 1886. I am directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a despatch relating to the selection of the Island of Pines by the French Government as a settlement for relapsed criminals. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. P. W. Cueeie.

Enclosure 2. My Lord,— Paris, 31st August, 1886. With reference to Lord Lyons' Despatch No. 304 of 11th June, I have the honour to enclose herewith to your Lordship a decree signed by the President on the 20th instant, which has appeared in to-day's Journal Ojficiel, appointing the Island of Pines, a dependency of New Caledonia, as a settlement for relapsed criminals. The decree is preceded by a communication from the Minister of Marine explaining that, in accordance with the Law of 27th May, 1885, for the collocation of recidivistes in Guyana, and, if required, in New Caledonia, the Island of Pines, a dependency of the latter, has been selected for the purpose, it having been considered unadvisablc, on account of an outbreak of yellow-fever last September, to make the settlement in Guyana. I have, &c, The Earl of Iddesleigh. * E. H. Egeeton.