7

A.—2

earliest convenience whether such is the wish of your Government, as the knowledge of this fact will facilitate the preparation of the instrument of agreement between the two countries. I have, &c, FEED. STANLEY. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 11. (New Zealand, No. 6.) Sir.—■ Downing Street, 2nd February, 1886. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 123, of the sth of December, enclosing a memorandum from your Ministers, in which they express their views respecting the Federal Council of Australasia. I have, &c, FEED. STANLEY. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

A.-l, 1886, No. 12.

No. 12. (New Zealand, No. 7.) Sir, Downing Street, 2nd February, 1886. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 127, of the 16th of December, forwarding a translation of a letter which you had received from Tawhiao, in reply to one founded on my predecessor's Despatch No. 33, of the 23rd of June, in connection with the memorial of the Maori chiefs. I request that your Government will cause Tawhiao to be informed that I have read his letter in accordance with his desire. I have, &c, FEED. STANLEY. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

A.-l, 1886, No. 15.

A.-2A, 1883, No. 63.

No. 13. (New Zealand, No. 8.) Sir,- —■ Downing Street, 2nd February, 1886. With further reference to your Despatch No. 69, of the 12th of May, respecting the position of affairs in Tonga, I have the honour to acquaint you that the Acting High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, who has recently visited the group, has reported on the proposal that steps should be taken in the event of the death of the present King George, with the view of avoiding disturbances, and that Her Majesty's Government have decided, as there seems to be no reason to fear grave complications, not to interfere actively in the succession question in advance of the King's death. I have, &c, FEED. STANLEY. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

A.-l, 1885, No. 48.

No. 14. (New Zealand, No. 9.) Sir,— Downing Street, 2nd February, 1886. I received your telegram of the 16th ultimo, reporting that two chiefs from Samoa had visited you, urging, on behalf of Malietoa and his people, that Great Britain should undertake the government of the country; and I replied to it in my telegram of the 28th ultimo. I observe that you did not support the representations of the chiefs, and I have no doubt that your Government understands that there has been no change in the circumstances which led to the telegrams noted in the margin. In those telegrams, and in his despatch of the loth "of April, my predecessor explained the considerations which at that time rendered it impossible for Her Majesty's

A.-l, 188G, No. 24.

A.-3, 188G, Enclosure 5 to No. 3G.

A.-4D, 18S5,Nos. 18, 42, 78.