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As ex-Premier and present Chief Justice of Queensland, I am enabled to state that your correspondents are absolutely in error in all these particulars. Ample provision exists for the administration of justice to all races in Queensland by independent Judges, whose tenure of office is the same as that of the Justices of the High Court of Justice of England, and Justices of the Peace are appointed throughout the Colony. Moreover, I and my colleagues have judicially received the testimony of " heathen and native " witnesses and submitted it to Juries, in cases even where prisoners were charged with, capital offences. Polynesian heathens and native aboriginal blacks have thus given evidence in Court under the existing law of Queensland. Under the old law the testimony of native blacks was not receivable, for reasons which it is not necessary I should discuss ; but under an existing statute, enacted five or six years ago, such testimony is received in all Courts of justice. So far from being unprotected by the law, provision has always been made for the defence of Polynesian and Native blades charged with criminal offences, the" expense of counsel and attorney being paid by the Crown. In this respect they enjoy a more extended privilege than that granted to white men under similar circumstances. I am, &c, CHARLES LILLEY.

Ko. 4. Royal Colonial Institute to Colonial Office. My Lord, 15, Strand, W.C., May 23, 1883. The Council of the Royal Colonial Institute are desirous of having the honor of an interview with your Lordship on the subject of New Guinea. On their behalf, therefore, I have to request the favour of your appointing a time when it will be convenient to your Lordship to receive a deputation from them on this important question. I have, &c, FREDERICK YOUNG, Honorary Secretary.

No. 5. Royal Colonial Institute to Colonial Office. Sir, 15, Strand, W-C, May 25, 1883. Referring to my letter to Lord Derby of the 2.3rd instant,* requesting His Lordship to appoint a time for receiving a deputation from the Council of the Royal Colonial Institute on the subject of New Guinea, I now have the honor to transmit to you, for His Lordship's information, a copy of the memorial which it is desired to present on that occasion. I have, &c, FREDERICK YOUNG,

Honorary Secretary. [Enclosure in No. 5.] To the Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies. The Memorial of the Council of the Royal Colonial Institute, — Showeth :— That your memorialists are the elected governing body of the Royal Colonial Institute, which Society was founded in 1808, obtained a Royal Charter in 1882, and now comprises more than 1,900 members, amongst whom are residents in every part of Her Majesty's dominions. That your memorialists have for a considerable time been impressed with the importance of the island of New Guinea, in relation to British interests, whether regarded from Home, Colonial, or Imperial points of view. On April 29th, 1875, a deputation from this Institute had the honor of presenting a memorial to your Lordship's predecessor the Earl of Carnarvon, advocating the speedy annexation of New Guinea. Among the reasons assigned for this annexation were: —■ I. The proximity of the shores of New Guinea to those of Australia, and the danger to British and Australian interests which would arise from a foreign nation establishing itself on the northern shores of Torres Straits, or occupying the valuable harbours of the island. II. —The increased expenditure for defences which a foreign occupation would entail, even in time of peace, upon both the Imperial and Colonial Governments, —an expenditure which would be greater than the cost of establishing and maintaining British rule in the island. 111. —That the best prospect for the Papuans was to be brought under British rule, before Europeans were attracted to the island, either to settle in or visit it. IV.- —That the establishment of a penal settlement in New Guinea, such as that of the French in New Caledonia, from which convicts continually escape to New South Wales and Queensland, to the great detriment and expense of those Colonies, would be a source of most serious injury to the whole of Australia. V. —That the coast should be occupied, in order that the claims of the British Crown, arising from formal possession having been taken in Her Majesty's name by British officers, should not be allowed to lapse. Your memorialists submit that all the preceding reasons not only exist at the present moment, but are now much stronger, and more urgently call for action, than when they were stated eight years ago. That the published returns of the Board of Trade show, as your Lordship has recently pointed out, that there is a great and increasing necessity for obtaining fresh markets for the manufactures of the United Kingdom. That the well-known fact that " trade follows the flag" is proved by those same returns, which clearly show that the best and most profitable customers that England has are the people who live under the British flag and under British rule. That all experience shows that the introduction amongst an uncivilized people of British manufactures, to which they have previously been strangers, speedily creates a large and rapidly increasing demand for those manufactures. That

* No. 4.