A.—3b

15

No. 16. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby to Governor the Eight Hon. Lord A. Loftus, G.C.B. My Loed, — Downing Street, October 24, 1883. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 4th of August, forwarding a copy of a letter, with its enclosures, from Mr. A. Stuart, respecting the proposed annexation of New Guinea. I have read Mr. Stuart's important letter with attention. I have, &c. Lord A. Loftus. Deeby.

No. 9,

No. 17. The Colonial Office to H. E. Maclvee, Esq. Slß,— Downing Street, October 24, 1883. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acquaint you that inquiry has been made at this office respecting the projected New Guinea Exploration and Colonization Company, of which you appear to be the promoter, and a copy of your prospectus has been placed in his Lordship's hands. Lord Derby has also seen the letter from you printed in the Times of the 19th instant, and that from the Agent-General for Queensland, which preceded it in the same issue. Lord Derby concludes that you must be aware that in 1875 a similar project was abandoned after its promoters had been made aware that Her Majesty's Government strongly disapproved it; and, also, that you are fully cognizant of the important proposals in connection with New Guinea which are now under the consideration of the Australian Governments and of Her Majesty's Government. If you had communicated with this department, Lord Derby would have caused the objections to your scheme to be explained to you ; and, as his Lordship has now otherwise obtained information respecting your proceedings, he feels himself under the necessity of intimating to you, explicitly and without delay, that your contemplated operations in New Guinea cannot be permitted, and that, if an attempt should be made to carry out the project described in your prospectus, Her Majesty's Government would be under the necessity of instructing the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific and the officer commanding Her Majesty's naval forces on the station to interfere for the protection of the native inhabitants of the island. I am, &c. H. E. Maclver, Esq. Edward Wingfield.

No. 18. ' Captain J. Kennbeley to the Colonial Office. My Loed,— 58, Lombard Street, London, B.C. October 24, 1883. In the absence of General Maclver, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of a letter from your Secretary, written at your direction, and referring to our intended expedition to New Guinea. Your Lordship's communication has had due and respectful consideration on our part, and we beg to reply thereto as follows : — It is quite evident that your Lordship is under a complete misapprehension as regards the purposes of our expedition. We have no political purposes of any kind in this matter, our intention being merely to acquire land in the most legitimate way from those who are entitled to sell it, thereby procuring an outlet for a large number of families who at the present moment have no means of livelihood in this country. We will not intrude upon your Lordship to-day by exposing, in a long letter, the peaceful manner in which we intend carrying out our project; but, if your Lordship will grant us an interview, we shall be pleased to explain fully our purposes, and are convinced we shall be able to show your Lordship that, so far from our expedition foreboding evil to any of the natives, the success of our enterprise will, on the contrary, contribute towards their civilization and advancement. I have, &c. J. Kenneeley, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby. Second in Command of the Expedition.

No. 19. Brigadier-General H. E. Maclveb and Captain J. Kennbeley to the Colonial Office. My Loed, — 58, Lombard Street, London, B.C. November 2, 1883. Since the receipt of the letter from Mr. Wingfield, this matter has received most anxious and careful consideration, with a view to meet your Lordship's objections to the scheme as originally proposed by us, and we have determined' to form a purely trading company. We beg to enclose a draft prospectus of the intended company (upon which we propose to base our proceedings) for your Lordship's perusal, and we shall be obliged if your Lordship will favour us with an interview, when we shall be glad to explain our views in greater detail, and trust that they may meet with your Lordship's approval. "We are, &c. Heney E. Maclvee. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby. J. Kenneeley.