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Enclosure 4 in No. 25. Admibalty to Colonial Office. Sic, — Admiralty, 29th January, 1875. With reference to your letter of 22nd instant, and to previous correspondence respecting the assessment by the Commodore on the Australian Stations of tho contributions to be made by the several Australasian Colonies towards the cost of the maintenance of the Settlement at Somerset, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you herewith, for the information of the Earl of Carnarvon, copies of the instructions furnished to Commodore Goodenough, the receipt of which he acknowledged on 9th May last; but no further communication has been received from him on the subject. The Commodore will now be desired to report what steps he has taken in respect of the assessment. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.

Enclosure 5 in No. 25. Admibalty to Commodore Goodenough. Sib,— Admiralty, 12th February, 1874. I am, &c, to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Colonial Office, dated 10th instant, and its enclosure in original, expressing the desire of the Secretary of State for the Colonies that you should assess the contributions towards the maintenance of the Settlement at Somerset, Cape York, which should, in your opinion, be furnished by the respective colonies concerned. I am at the same time to acquaint you that their Lordships have informed the Earl of Kimberley that there is no objection to your undertaking the special duty, provided the several colonies interested agree thereto; also that they presume full information on the subject will be given to you through this office. I have, &c, Commodore Goodenough, &c. Eobeet Hall.

Enclosure 6 in No. 25. Admibalty to Commodore Goodenoijgh. (No. 64.) Sib, — Admiralty, 18th March, 1874. With reference to my letter No. 36, of the 12th February, in regard to the assessment by you of the contributions towards the maintenance of the Colony of Somerset, Cape York, which should be furnished by the respective colonies concerned, I am, &c, to transmit for your information copies of a letter, dated 13th March, and its enclosures, from the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, in regard to the directions on this subject which will be given to the Governors of the several colonies interested. I am, &c, Commodore Goodenough. Eobeet Hall.

Enclosure 7 in No. 25. The Colonial Office to the Admibalty. Sib, — Downing Street, 3rd February, 1875. With reference to the last paragraph of your letter of the 29th ultimo, stating that Commodore Goodenough would be desired to report what steps he had taken in respect of the assessment of the contribution to be made by the several Australasian Colonies towards tho support of the settlement at Somerset, I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to request that you will suggest to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that, as the matter is pressing, the inquiry should be made at once by their Lordships by telegram if the Commodore is within reach. Lord Carnarvon would be glad to be informed whether this can be done. I am, &c, The Secretary to the Admiralty. W. E. Malcolm.

Enclosure 8 in No. 25. The Ajdmiealty to the Colonial Office. Sib, — Admiralty, sth February, 1875. With reference to your letter of the 3rd instant, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of tho Secretary of State for the Colonies, that a telegram has been sent to Commodore Goodenough desiring him to report by telegraph what steps he has taken for assessing the colonies of Australia for the support of Somerset Settlement. I am, &c, The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. Veenon Lushington.