17

A.—2

et gui presentent pour la prosperite de notre etahlissement colonial une importance considerable. Mon Gouvernement, gui attache beaucoup de prix a gui ces relations continuent sur le meme pied, se preoccupe dans une certaine mesure dun mouvement d'opinion gui se serait produit en Australie dans cc dernier temps. Les journaux de cc pays auraient denoue l'intention qu'ils attribuent a la France de reunion dcs Nouvelles Hebrides a ses possessions, et demanderaient, qu'afin de prevenir cette eventualite, l'Archipel dont il s'agit fut place sous la souverainete de la Couronne d'Angleterre. Sans attacher a cc mouvement de l'opinion une tres-grande importance, mon Gouvernement tient toutefois a declarer que pour cc gui le concerne il n'a pas le projet de porter atteinte k l'independance dcs Nouvelles Hebrides, et il serait heureux de savoir que de son cote le Gouvernement de sa Majeste est egalement dispose a en respecter. Veuillez, &c, S. E. le Comte de Derby, &c. D'Harcourt.

Enclosure 2 in No. 21. The Colonial Office to the Foreign Office. Sir, — Downing Street, 20th February, 1878. In reply to your letter of the Ist instant, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acquaint you that he concurs in the terms of the reply which the Earl of Derby proposes to give to the inquiry of the French Ambassador at this Court with reference to the intentions of Her Majesty's Government in respect of the New Hebrides Group. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Foreign Office. W. R. Malcolm.

No. 22. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (No. 16.) My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist April, 1878. In reply to your Despatch No. 10, of the Ist February, I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office, which will inform your Government of the steps which Her Majesty's Government have taken for conveying to the Government of the United States the thanks of the Colony of New Zealand for the manner in which salmon ova have been sent to the colony by the United States Fishery Commission. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c, &c.

Enclosure in No. 22. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir,— Foreign Office, 30th March, 1878. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, together with its enclosure, requesting that the thanks of the Government of New Zealand may be conveyed to the Government of the United States for the very handsome and effective manner in which salmon ova have been shipped to New Zealand by the United States Fishery Commission; and I am to state to you, in reply, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that Her Majesty's Minister at Washington has been instructed to give effect to the wishes of the Colonial Government. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Julian Pauncefote.

No. 23. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to the Oppicer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 12th April, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office, enclosing a copy of a letter from the Chinese Minister at this Court rela3—A. 2.