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A.—2

Sir,— Noumea, 22nd March, 1887. Two liberes, named respectively Jean Bonyssalet and Desire Guignon, recently applied to me for permission to visit Sydney, to take ship for San Francisco, whither they had permission to go, as you will see by the memorandum from the Bureau of the Administration Penitentiaire, which I enclose. The men showed me the autorisation de depart, a copy of which I enclose for your information, as I particularly wish to call your attention to the part I have underlined in red, by which you will perceive that, at last, the numerous representations which have been made are bearing fruit. I called on the acting head of the Penitentiaire this morning, for the purpose of procuring some copies of this document, to forward to you and to the Foreign Office, the matter being new to me. In the course of conversation I asked for explanation on the two spaces I have filled in with figures, corresponding to those shown to me by the liberes. The Directeur informed me that these men, having been condemned to travaux forces for eight years or upwards, were virtually condemned for life, and could never return to France ; that, having behaved well, they had got permission to leave for three years, but were expected to return. The deposit of 800fr. was required to show that they had the means of paying for their passage; 600fr. being returned to them for that purpose, and 200fr. retained to meet any expenses they might cause to foreign Powers. I asked how these men could get to San Francisco without going to Sydney. During the eleven years I have been here, not half a dozen ships have sailed hence for that port. The Directeur said ships sometimes went, but he would not, in the face of the instructions which he showred me, authorise the men to go to Sydney for the purpose of shipping from thence. I might do so if I liked. I told him that I had already indorsed on the two permits that the men went to Sydney solely for the purpose of shipping, and not for residence there, and that I should communicate with you on the subject, in order that the police may keep them in view, and see that they really start for San Francisco with the least possible delay. It appears to me, however, that the time has now come when the Australian Colonies should take united action in this matter, they being really the only outlets from this French colony ; and I shall be glad pi your suggestions as to my future course of action in similar cases. Shall I, or shall I not, authorise such men to come to Sydney or other port in New South Wales ? What steps shall be taken to insure that such cases come under the immediate notice of the police ? My idea is that the " permit " should be placed in the hands of the captain of the vessel, and handed over by him, together with the individual named therein, to the water police before the vessel conies to the wharf: in fact, I think this a favourable opportunity of establishing some system whereby objectionable characters, such as "escapees" of any kind, may be kept out of the colonies. I shall be most happy to co-operate with the colonial authorities in any way. Knowing the great interest you, personally, take in matters connected with this colony, I sought an interview with you while passing through Sydney last month, but, finding you were much occupied with the elections at the moment, I did not press the matter, you having left Sydney. Any information or assistance, however, that you may require is entirely at your disposal. I have, &c, The Colonial Secretary, New South Wales. E. L. Layakd.

Sir,— Downing Street, 14th June, 1887. With reference to your letter of the 28th ultimo, respecting the prohibition of two French liberes from New Caledonia to set foot in English possessions during the authorisation which they had received, in consequence of good conduct, to absent themselves from the colony for three years, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to request that you will inform the Marquis of Salisbury that the question appears to him to be one primarily for the consideration of the colonies concerned, to whom the papers will be transmitted, and that he would suggest that, looking to the difficulty of proceeding to San Francisco otherwise than by Sydney, Mr. Layard's action in indorsing the men's papers as described, as well as in communicating with the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, should be approved. Sir H. Holland has no doubt that Mr. Layard will continue to act in accordance with the wishes of the Australian authorities; and he would be glad to be informed of any further communications which may take place on either side. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. B. Wingpield.

No. 27. (New Zealand, No. 43.) Sir,— Downing Street, 28th July, 1887. I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to inform you, with reference to your Despatch No. 38, of the 22nd of April last, that the Queen's Exequatur, empowering Mr. J. T. Campbell to act as United States Consul at Auckland, received Her Majesty's signature on the 21st instant, and that the notification of Her Majesty's approval of this appointment appeared in the Gazette of the following day. I have, &c, EOBEET G. W. HEEBEET. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

A.-l, 1887, Sess. 11., No. 2S.