A.—s

34

New Guinea Pbotectoeate. The amounts to be contributed by the several colonies on the basis of population (census of 1881)* to make good the contribution of the Colony of South Australia are as follow : — £ s. d. Victoria ... ... ... ... 533 18 10 New South Wales ... ...' ... 464 13 7 New Zealand ... ... ... ... 303 11 8 Queensland ... ... ... ... 132 6 1 Tasmania ... ... ... ... 71 13 4 Western Australia ... ... ... 18 8 1 £1,524 11 7 W. L. G. Deew, Audit Office, Brisbane, 10th March, 1887. Auditor-General.

No. 3. Memoeandum for His Excellency. The Premier has the honour to return the letter from the Special Commissioner of British New Guinea, dated 19th March last, on the subject of the deficiency in the amount of £15,000, the colonial contribution towards the expenses of the Protectorate, consequent on South Australia having declined to continue contributing after the 30th June, 1886. Ministers respectfully submit that this colony cannot fairly be held liable for the default of a neighbouring colony, as submitted by the Special Commissioner. On the contrary, it was a condition attached to New Zealand's undertaking to pay its share, as stated in the Premier's memorandum of the 7th July, 1885, that the other colonies of Australia should join in the contribution! Notwithstanding that condition, this Government has made a first payment in terms of the memorandum referred to, and is prepared to further fulfil its obligation; but Ministers must decline to recommend Parliament to increase New Zealand's liability to the extent suggested by Mr. Douglas. Eobeet Stout. Premier's Office, Wellington, 21st April, 1887.

No. 4. The Agent-Genebal to the Peemiee. Sic, — 7, "Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 9th May, 1887. I had not time by last mail, when reporting upon the questions that had come before the Colonial Conference relating to the Pacific islands, to send you any particulars respecting New Guinea. I now beg to enclose the minute of last March, which had been prepared by the Colonial Office for the Conference, together with a paper containing the correspondence, extending from February, 1885, on the subject of the New Guinea Protectorate. On 'Sir Samuel Griffith's arrival in this country, the proposals of Her Majesty's Government, and his own scheme for the administration of the country, formed the subject of repeated communications with the Colonial Office ; and at last the scheme was matured in the form of a Bill, copy of which I enclose, whereby Queensland undertakes to provide £15,000 a year for ten years, the Colonies of New South Wales and Victoria also agreeing to pay their proportions, and to pass permanent appropriations for the same; while Her Majesty's Government undertakes to give a steam-vessel costing £18,500, and to bear the cost of its maintenance for three years at £3,500 a year, making a total contribution by the Imperial Government of about £29,000. Upon the Appropriation Acts being passed Her Majesty will assume sovereignty over New Guinea ; and the scheme defines the first steps that will have to be taken in administering the Government of the island. ■ I have, &c.,' The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

A.-4c, 1885; A.-4c 1886; and A.-4, 1887, Sess. I.

No. 6,

Enclosure. New Guinea. [Printed for the Use of the Colonial Conference.'] Afteb full consideration of the annexed correspondence respecting New Guinea, Her Majesty's Government have decided to propose to Parliament, in the event of satisfactory arrangements being concluded with the colonies concerned in regard to financial and administrative details, a grant in aid of the first establishment of British sovereignty and protection. Adhering to the offer made in 1885, they propose that the Imperial contribution should represent the cost of a suitable steamship, with provision for its maintenance during the first two or three years. Estimating the cost of the vessel at a sum not exceeding £18,500, and the cost of maintenance to be about £3,500 per annum, the grant to be proposed would be about £29,000.

* The population of 1881 is the basis upon which the former appointment was made. There has been no genera census since then. —W.L.G-.D.