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No. 5. Minute by the Colonial Seceetaey. Subject: Secretary of State for the Colonies' Despatch, dated 9th May, 1884, No. 27. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, 23rd July, 1884. The passage through Parliament of one of the most important and difficult questions of colonial legislation—namely, the readjustment of the land-laws of the colony—having absorbed nearly the whole time since the Intercolonial Convention concluded its sitting, has prevented the resolutions of that body from being considered, but it is the intention of the Government to submit them during the present session. I have no hesitation in saying that, whatever may be the conclusion arrived at with regard to the Federal Council Bill, I am confident there will be an almost unanimous agreement with regard to the willingness of this colony contributing its share of the £15,000 estimated by Lord Derby as the annual expense of maintaining a High Commissioner, to be stationed in New Guinea, and furnished with a suitable steamship for the purpose of exercising some protectorate power over that and adjacent islands; but at the same time I would take this opportunity of pointing out that, while this colony has always been desirous that the labour trade in the South Sea Islands should be governed by wise regulations, the object of having a High Commissioner stationed at New Guinea is not solely for the purpose of a better administration of such regulations, but for that which is deemed by the Australian Colonies generally of even greater importance—viz., the carrying-out of such protectorate over New Guinea as will secure the colonies from the great disadvantage and danger which it would be to these colonies if the southern shores of that island were to fall under the acquisition or dominion of any foreign Power. Alex. Stuaet.
No. 6. The Colonial Seceetaey to His Excellency the Goveenor. My deae Lord Augustus,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, 23rd July, 1884. I enclose you herewith a minute which *I have made upon Lord Derby's despatch of 9th May, on the subject of the contribution to the High Commissioner whom he proposes to appoint at New Guinea. You will observe that I have taken the opportunity to point out that it is not so much for administering regulations connected with the South Sea Island traffic as for the obtaining by the Imperial Government of a footing in New Guinea, that the colonies are in my opinion showing their readiness to share in the expense. I have deemed it necessary to allude to this because in the latter part of his despatch Lord Derby seems inclined to make the regulation of the labour traffic the chief object. I will be obliged by your telegraphing the main purport of my minute—viz., " That important legislation has prevented its being dealt with, but that I am very confident that that portion of the suggestions of the Convention will be cordially approved, whatever may befall the other portions." I am, &c, Alexander Stuaet.
No. 7. The Agent-Geneeal to the Colonial Seceetaey. Sib, — 5, Westminster Chambers, Westminster, S.W., 25th July, 1884. In continuation of my letter of the 17th instant I have now the honour to forward for your information copy of a joint letter which has been addressed by the Agents-General to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby, asking his Lordship to be good enough to inform us as soon as possible of the decision of Her Majesty's Government in reference to the proposals we laid before his Lordship on the 2nd instant in regard to the Western Pacific. I have, &c, Saul Samuel.
No. 8. Minute by His Excellency the Goveenoe. The Governor begs to acknowledge the receipt of the minute of the Colonial Secretary in reply to the despatch of the Secretary of State for the Colonies dated the 9th May, 1884, on the subject of the contribution to the High Commissioner whom he proposes to appoint at New Guinea. The Governor has forwarded a copy of this minute to the Earl of Derby by the last mail, and he has likewise informed his Lordship by telegraph of the general nature of it. 28th July, 1884. Augustus Loftuk.
JEngUs-h. — For Senior Civil Service. Time allowed: <>' hours. Paper No. 2. —Literature and Books. (All the Questions are to be attempted.) 1. Describe, with references to leading names, the change which came over the spirit of English poetry about the beginning of the present century. 2. Mention Coleridge's chief works, and give some idea of the characteristics of his poetry and his prose, and of his influence on nineteenth-century thought. 3. Give some notion of the character of the following works : " Confessions of an English Opium-eater," " Essays of EJia," " Corn-law Ehymes," " In Memoriam," " Sartor Eesartus." 4. Add a brief descriptive note to each of the following names : Landor, Hazlitt, Jane Austen, Miss Edgeworth, Samuel Eogers, Leigh Hunt, Hallam, Jerrold, Macaulay, John Henry Newman. 5. Give an exposition of "Prometheus Unbound," and show especially how it embodies Shelley's favourite ideas and beliefs,