A.—4

104

VI.-The Fijis,

Enclosure 4. Detective Inspector Thomson to the Acting Undee-Secbetaby for Defence, Wellington. Sib, — Armed Constabulary (Detective Branch), Auckland, 15th March, 1872. Referring to your letter of the 21st ultimo, No. 23 (re alleged enlistments here for military service at the Fiji Islands), which reached my office during my temporary absence on duty in the Bay of Plenty District, I have the honour to report that since my return I have caused careful inquiries to bo made in the matter, and have ascertained that the rumour mentioned in your letter, and embodied in a paragraph which went the round of the Press about two months ago (taken from tho Thames Advertiser), has no bettor foundation than the following-facts: About the middle of January last, one " Crichton," or " Cre'ighton," formerly connected with the Volunteer movement as a sergeant-major and drill instructor at tho Thames, returned to Auckland after a short absence at Levuka, and informed some of his friends that he was empowered by the Fijian Government to enrol men for .military service at Fiji; and, his friends speaking of the matter at the Thames, the statement eventually found its -way into the columns of the local Press. Creighton, who is spoken of as a reputed liar and of very intemperate habits, left the Thames considerably in •debt, and has only spent one day there since his return from Fiji. Ho has neither sufficient personal influence nor Lsocial status to induce people hero to look upon him as a duly-appointed agent of the Fiji Government, or any other ■Government. As the result of the inquiries made in the matter, I am in a position to state advisedly ttfat not a single man has been enrolled either here or at the Thames for the service in question, and in this opinion Major Gordon fully concurs with me. Such enlistments (on however small a scale) could no more take place at the Thames than here, without the knowledge of Major Cooper or Sub-Inspector Bullen, of tho Constabulary, to both of whom I have spoken on the subject. Creighton has not teen seen here for some time past, but lam having further inquiries made, and,* should any information be obtained relative to this matter (worth reporting), will duly report same. I have, &c, J. Bell Thomson, G-, S. Cooper, Esq. Under-Seerctary. Inspector, A.C.

Enclosure 5. The Govebnob of New Zealand to Consul Mabch. Sib, — Government House, Wellington, New Zealand, 27th March, 1872. Adverting to your letter of the 11th December ultimo, and to my reply of the 22nd January ultimo, I have now further to inform you that the Colonial Government, acting with the advice of the Attorney-General, have caused strict inquiry to be made ; and that you will perceive, from the enclosed police report, that there is no foundation for the rumour to which you refer, of men having boen enlisted in this colony for military service in Fiji. I have, &c, Edward March, Esq. H.B.M. Consul, Fiji. G. F. Bowen.

No. 4. Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbebley. (No. 57.) My Loed, —■ Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 11th July, 1871. I have the honour to forward herewith, for your Lordship's information, a copy of a letter which I have lately received from the Secretary of King Cakobau, of the Fiji Islands, transmitting copies of the new Fiji Government Gazette, "containing the proclamation and appointment of an Executive to administer the King's Government under the Constitution of 1867." I annex a copy of rny acknowledgment of the receipt of this letter. 2. I understand from Lord Belmoro that he has not failed, according to the custom followed by previous Governors of New South Wales, to keep your Lordship and your predecessors at the Colonial Office fully informed of the progress of events in the Fijis, and in the South Sea Islands generally. I will, therefore, only observe that it is evidently intended to set up in the Fijis a form of policy similar to that already established in the Hawaiian (Sandwich) Islands, viz., a native dynasty, with European advisers and agents. This is an interesting experiment. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. F. Bowen.

Enclosure 1. The Secbetaby to King Cakobau to tho Governob of New Zealand. Youe Excellency,— Levuka, Fiji, Government Offices, 16th June, 1871. I am directed by the King, Cakobau tho First, to transmit for your information copies of Government Gazette, containing proclamation and appointment of an Executive to administer the King's Government under the, Constitution of 1867. I have, &c, W. M. Mooee, His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. Secretary.

Enclosure 2. The Pbivate Secbetaey to the Sbceetaey to King Cakobau. g IE Government House, Auckland, 4th July, 1871. I am directed by Governor Sir G. Bowen to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 31/71, of the 16th Juno ultimo. l have ' &c -> W. M. Moore, Esq. Secretary to Executive Council, Henry D. Pitt, Capt. E.A., LevukaT Fiji. — Private Secretary,