51

A.—No. la.

TO THE GOVERNOR OP NEW ZEALAND.

To Mr. Cowper.

To Mr. Verdon.

5. The Imperial Government will pay to the Colonial Government or ita agents the nominal value of the worn coin so withdrawn from circulation, as soon as it is received at the Eoyal Mint or one of its branches.

No. 80. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 14th July, 1871. I transmit to you for your information a copy of a correspondence between this Office and the Agents-General in England for the Colonies of New South Wales and Victoria, on the subject of the rumoured intention of the Erench Government to transport to New Caledonia a large number of the prisoners taken in the late insurrection in Paris. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBERLEY.

Enclosure 1 in No. 80. Mr. Holland to Mr. Veedon. Sik, — Downing Street, 9th June 1871. I have laid before the Earl of Kimberley your letter of the Bth instant, calling attention to a statement which has appeared in the newspapers that the French Government were about to send 20,000 convicts to New Caledonia. His Lordship desires me to inform you that he has suggested to Lord Granville that inquiry should be made of the French Government on the subject. I have, &c, G. Verdon, Esq., C.B. . H. T. Holland.

Enclosure 2 in No. 80. Mr. Holland to Mr. Cowpee and Mr. Veedon. Sib,— Downing Street, 3rd July, 1871. With reference to the representation which you made to the Earl of Kimberley in the course ] of last month, — With reference to your letter of the 13th ultimo, —respecting a statement which appeared in the q newspapers that the French Government were about to send 20,000 convicts to New Caledonia, —I am directed by His Lordship the Earl of Kimberley to inform you that Lord Lyons reports that no decision has been come to on this subject by the French Government or the National Assembly. I have, &c, Charles Cowper, Esq., and G. Verdon, Esq., C.B. H. T. Holland.

Enclosure 3 in No. 80. Mr. Vekdon to the Under Seceetaet, Colonial Office. 8, Victoria Chambers, Victoria Street, Sic,— "Westminster, S.W., sth July, 1871. I am glad to learn from Mr. Holland's letter of the 3rd instant that Lord Lyons has reported that no decision has been come to by the Government or Legislature of France, ou the subject of transporting large numbers of convicts to New Caledonia. In conveying this information to the Chief Secretary of Victoria, I shall be glad to be authorized to say that Her Majesty's Government will do whatever may be possible to avert the serious injury which would be inflicted upon all the Colonies of Australia if the project were carried out. I have, &c, G. Veedon, The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. Agent-General for Victoria.

Enclosure 4 in No. 80. i Mr. Cowper to Mr. Holland. Agency of the Government of New South "Wales, Sic,— 8, Adam Street, Adelphi, W.C., Bth July, 1871. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, communicating to me, by direction of Lord Kimberley, the result of His Lordship's inquiry respecting a statement which appeared in the newspapers that the Trench Government were about to send convicts to New Caledonia ; and I have the honor to request that you will convey to His Lordship my respectful thanks for the prompt attention to the request personally made by me to His Lordship. I have, &c, Charles Cowper, H. T. Holland, Esq., Under Secretary, &c, Agent-General for New South Wales. Colonial Office.