A.—No. la,

20

DESPATCHES EROM THE SECRETARY OE STATE

of 25th October, forwarding a further Memorandum, with its enclosure, from your Ministers, in connection with the case Regina v. Barton. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBERLEY.

No. 24. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbeeley to Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 25th January, 1872. With reference to my Circular Despatch of 21st December, I transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a letter addressed to Lord Lyons by the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, which has been forwarded to this Department from the Foreign Office, respecting the measures taken by the French Government to prevent the escape of convicts from New Caledonia to the Australian Colonies. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government KIMBEELET. of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 24. 11. Eemtjsat to Lord Lyons. M. l'Ambassabeub, — Versailles, Le 9 Janvier, 1872. Dana une lettre en date dv 4 Decembre dernier, M. Sackville West m'avait temoigne au norn dv G-ouvernement de la Keine, le desir d'etre assure que dcs mesures de precaution suffisantes etaient prises afin d'empecher que les individus condamnes a etre deportes dans l'archipel de la Nouvelle Caledonie ne pussent s'ecliapper dans les possessions Anglaises voisines. M. le Ministre de la Marine, a gui j'ai fait part de cette communication, m'ecrit que, pour repondre a, la preoccupation manifestee par le G-ouvernement Britannique, il a recommande aux autorites de notre Colonie penitentiaire d'exercer au point de vue gui nous etait signale, une surveillance particuliere. Les precedents sont d'ailleurs de nature a. dormer pleine confiance sur l'efficacite dcs dispositions generates, adoptees a l'egard dcs condamnes, car, depuis l'origine de la transportation a la I^ouvelle Oaledonie, trois evasions seulement ont etc accomplies avec succes. Je m'empresse de porter a votre connaissance cette reponse de M. l'Amiral Potlman. Agreez, &c, S.B. Lord Lyons. " EEMUSAT.

No. 25. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbesley to Governor Sir G. F. Bgwen, G.C.M.G. (No. .) Sin, — Downing Street, 6th February, 1872. I have received your Despatch No. 106, of the 9th November last, in which you recommend that Mr. Henry Sewell, who has retired from the Executive Council after having been a member of it for periods amounting in the aggregate to considerably more than three years, may receive the Queen's gracious permission to retain the title of Honorable; and I have to acquaint you that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to authorize compliance with that recommendation. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBEELET.

No. 26. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir G. F. Bowbn, G.C.M.G. (No. 7.) Sib,, — Downing Street, 9th February, 1872. I have to acknowledge your Despatch No. 107, of 18th November, forwarding a letter addressed to me by Sir David Monro, with a Memorandum respecting it from your Ministers.