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No. 10. MINISTEBS tO the GOVEENOE. (Memorandum.) Premier's Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1886. The Premier has the honour to return to His Excellency the letter from the Special Commissioner No. 3. for the protected territory of New Guinea, dated the 29th March last, relative to its future administration. The Premier begs to state that Ministers have no observations to offer on the letter, their decision having been already conveyed to His Excellency by Memorandum No. 15, 1886, of No. 7. the 17th ultimo. The correspondence with the Queensland Government which His Excellency asks for is herewith forwarded, and the Premier ventures to suggest that a copy of his letter of the No. 8. 17th May, should be forwarded to the Special Commissioner. Eobeet Stout.

No. 11. The Special Commissioneb, British New Guinea, to Sir W. F. D. Jebvois, G.C.M.G., C.B. Sib,— Cooktown, Northern Queensland, Ist June, 1886. I have the honour to request that the contribution of the Government of New Zealand towards the expenses of the Protectorate of New Guinea for the year ending the 30th June, 1886, may be paid into the account of the Special Commissioner at the Queensland National Bank, Brisbane, or that the amount may be made available to me in any way which may best meet your convenience. 2. The contribution agreed upon between your Excellency's Government and the late Special Commissioner was, I find, £2,668 18s. 9d., and this amount, as due for the financial year ending June, 1885, was then duly paid. I presume that the proportionate amount then agreed to on the principle of population will hold good for this year. 3. I have received the contributions due for the current financial year from the whole of the Australian Colonies, except New Zealand, on the same proportionate principle, and I conclude, therefore, that there will be no objection to its application in the case of your Government. I have, &c, John Douglas, His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand, &c. Special Commissioner.

No. 12. The Pbemieb, Victoria, to the Peemiee, New Zealand. Sib, — Premier's Office, Melbourne, Bth June, 1886. I have the honour to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter of the 18th No. 9. ultimo, enclosing a copy of your communication of the 17th idem, addressed to the Hon. the Premier of Queensland on the subject of the Government of British New Guinea. I have, &c, D. Gillies, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand. Premier.

No. 13. The Pbemiek, Queensland, to the Pbemieb, New Zealand. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 12th June, 1886. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th ultimo respecting No. 8. the future administration of the Government of Her Majesty's protected territory in New Guinea. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier of New Zealand, Wellington. S. W. Gbiffith.

No. 14. Ministers to the Govebnob. (Memorandum.) Premier's Office, Wellington, 28th June, 1886. The Premier has the honour to return the letter from the Special Commissioner of the New Guinea No. 11, Protectorate, dated the Ist June, with an intimation that, prior to its receipt by His Excellency, instructions had been given to pay the amount of the New Zealand contribution into the Queensland Bank. The Premier would remark that the Commissioner has fallen into an error respecting the period which this, the second contribution made by this colony, is to cover. He assumes that it is for the year ending on the 30th June, 1886, whereas Jie will see, if he will refer to the Premier's memorandum of the 7th July, 1885, that it is really for the year commencing on the Ist June, 1886. A.-4c*, Eobeet Stout. 129.

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