A.—3d

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Enclosure. Minute of the Colonial Seceetaey. Subject. — French Escapees and Expirees landed from New Caledonia in Australian Colonies, between the Years 1874 and 1883. Foe the purpose of enabling His Excellency to reply to Lord Derby's telegram, I have ascertained, through the Chief of Police in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, that the following have landed in—New South Wales, 158; Victoria,33; Queensland, 56 : total 247. Besides which, considerable numbers are suspected of being expirees or escapeeefforoni New Caledonia. The larger proportion of those of the 247 who have not been extradited under the provisions of the treaty are amongst the criminal classes of the colony. Not more than about one-tenth are earning an honest livelihood; the others harbour with and live upon prostitutes, and about one-half of them are, or have been, inmates of our gaols from time to time, thus forming a source of expense, annoyance, and increased crime in the colonies. I have instructed- that a list be prepared of those who have been extradited or surrendered to the French authorities. Alex. ' Stuart. +

Sub-Enclosures. Telegram from Beisbane to the Hon. S W. Griffith. Five escapees in 1875, one in 1878, nineteen in 1879, six in 1880, eight in 1881, eight in 1882, arid nine in 1883 : in all, 56. Eobeet GbaV.

Telegbam from Melboubne to Hon. Gbaham Bebex. The number of New Caledonia convicts known to have reached Victoria is thirty-three: three are known to be earning honest livings, thirteen live on the earnings of prostitutes, &c, twelve are now in prison, three have served sentences of imprisonment here, one was extradited to New South Wales, and one was committed for trial for burglary, but Crown entered nolle prosequi. Besides these known cases, there are reported to be a number of men employed on vineyards, &c.; also are rumoured to be six New Caledonia convicts, but police cannot obtain reliable information of their antecedents. I can, if you desire it, send by post the names and particulars of the thirtythroe known cases, but will not do so unless you telegraph that you desire it. H. M. Chomley.

Police Department, Inspector-General's Office, Sydney, December 11, 1883. The subjoined statement respecting French convicts and expirees who are known to have landed in New South Wales is submitted for the Colonial Secretary's information. As a matter of course —there having been no special official record—many other such persons may have come to the colony without the knowledge of the police :— 1873. Escapee from. New Caledonia as a stowaway ; jumped overboard at Heads, and got away ... ... ... ... 1 1874. Escapees from New Caledonia landed in New South Wales ... 9 1875. Escapee from New Caledonia landed at the Tweed ... ... 1 1878. Liberated convicts landed from New Caledonia ... ... 8^ Frenchmen from New Caledonia (antecedents unknown) applied I r o for country railway passes, being destitute ... ... 50 f Many others arrived, but not reported. j 1879. Escapee stowaways arrived in New South Wales ... ... 2\ Ditto, overland from Queensland ... ... ... 1 Ditto, arrived in New South Wales ... ... ... l\- 78 Expirees arrived in Now South Wales ... ... ... 20 Pardoned criminals arrived ... ... ... ... 54/ 1880. Escaped convicts arrived and extradited ... ... 1 1882. Escapee stowaways arrived... ... ... ... 3) , Ditto, extradited ... ... ... lj" 1883. Escapees landed on coast now in custody ... ... 6 158 Without reference to the gaols it could not be stated what number of Frenchmen have been convicted, and then it would be difficult to ascertain their antecedents. In one year alone (1879) six ex-convicts from New Caledonia were, to my knowledge, convicted in New South Wales of serious offences. It would take a considerable time to obtain accurate particulars from the country. It appears, from the imperfect information obtained, that during the past ten years thirty-four escaped French convicts landed in New South Wales, and at least 124 expirees or pardoned convicts were permitted to come to this country during the years 1878 and 1879. No doixbt many more came. Edmund Fosbehy, The Principal Under-Seeretary. Inspector-General of Police.

No. 27. The Colonial Office to the Foreign Office. Sib, — Downing Street* January 28, 1884. With reference to previous correspondence respecting the French Eelapsed Criminals Bill, I §m directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you, for communication to Earl Granville, a copy