A.—4c.

Sub-Enclosure. Estimated Cost of the Goveenment of the Beitish Teeeitoey. Schedule A. Capital or First Cost. 1. Purchase of steam vessel of about 450 tons, 10ft. draught of £ s. d. water, speed 10 knots; provided with steam pinnace and light armament, including arms for crew; fitting out, ]ourney to Australia, insurance ... ... 18,000 0 0 2. Purchase of schooner and whale boats for general service ... 2,000 0 0 3. Provision for buildings and miscellaneous expenditure (spread over several years) ... ... ... 5,000 0 0 Total capital cost ... ... 25,000 0 0 Deduct amount available from £15,000 contribution to Ist June, 1885 ... ... ... 5,000 0 0 . Amount of proposed loan ... £20,000 0 0 Schedule B. Estimated Expenditure for first year (Ist June, 1885, to 81st May, 1886.) £ s. d. 1. Staff—reduced estimate ... ... ... 7,000 0 0 2. Manning and maintenance of steamer and boats ... 17,000 0 0 3. Coal (increased quantity) ... ... ... 2,000 0 0 4. Sundry expenditure (reduced estimate) ... ... 2,000 0 0 £28,000 0 0 Deduct amount available from £15,000 contribution to Ist June, 1885 ... ... ... 8,000 0 0 Amount required for first year ... £20,000 0 0 Schedule C. Annual Expenditure for four years subsequent to first year (Ist June, 1886, to 31st May, 1890). 1. StaffPresent Staff— £ s. d. Special Commissioner ... ... ... 2,500 0 0 Private Secretary ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 Deputy Commissioner ... ... ... 700 0 0 Office and travelling expenses ... ... ... 1,000 0 0 Additional — Second Deputy Commissioner, Accountant, clerks, office and travelling expenses ... ... ... 2,000 0 0 Contingencies for police, native chiefs, sundries ... 1,500 0 0 2. Manning and maintenance of steamer and other vessels, insurance, sinking fund, &c, ... ... ... 8,000 0 0 3. Coal (400 tons at £2 10s.) ... ... ... 1,000 0 0 4. Sundry unforeseen expenditure, minor works, explorations and surveys, mails, &c. ... ... ... 3,000 0 0 Amount required for following years £20,000 0 0

No. 95. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 16th April, 1885. It may perhaps interest you to know that in an article in the Economists Francais, upon the discussions which have taken place in Australia respecting German annexations in the Pacific, the following passage occurs on the subject of the New Hebrides : " The same criticisms bv the Australians are applied to the colonization of the New Hebrides by our [French] compatriots of New Caledonia. Now, if the Australians only want to prevent us from getting a foothold in the New Hebrides in order to occupy the group themselves, we should like to know by what means other than those which we could employ ourselves they would arrive at their object. Those only can be deceived by this sort of thing who choose to be. We cannot believe that the French Government will stop where they are, or that they have not already taken measures to ensure the possession of the New Hebrides. They can come to an understanding afterwards with the British Government, as was done in the case of Eaiatea. The English Government has always enough faults to be forgiven by us to provide an easy ransom for the engagements we have taken towards it." This shows the spirit in which the question of the New Hebrides is still being discussed in France. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell,

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