A.—2

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List of Secubities held on account of New Zealand Sinking Fund Act, 20 and 21 Viet., c. 51. In the names of the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, the Crown Agents for the Colonies, and the Assistant Paymaster-General:— s s. a. Canada 4-per-cent. debentures ... ... ... 7,300 0 0 New South "Wales 4-per-cent. debentures ... ... 1,900 0 0 Victoria 4-per-cent. debentures ... ... ... 101,200 0 0 New South Wales 3^-per-cent. inscribed stock ... ... 10,338 8 6 New Zealand 4-per-cent. inscribed stock ... ... 279,518 16 1 £400,257 4 7 In the names of Sir Ealph Eobert "Wheeler Lingen, X.C.8., Sir William Charles Sargeaunt, K.C.M.G., Montagu Frederick Ommanney, Esq., C.M.G., Ernest Edward Blake, Esq., John Pycroft Collier, Esq. : — £ s. a. New South Wales 3-|-per-eent. inscribed stock ... ... 5,836 13 7 New South Wales 4-per-cent. inscribed stock ... ... 103,493 3 3 £109,329 16 10

Enclosure 2. Gentlemen, —■ Downing Street, 23rd November, 1887. In reply to your letter of the 11th instant, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit, for your information, a copy of a letter from the Treasury approving the sale of the securities necessary for paying off the amount of New Zealand Government 4-per-cent. guaranteed debentures falling due in January next. I am to add that Sir H. Holland has no objection to the course proposed in your letter. I have, &c, The Crown Agents for the Colonies. J. Bbamston.

No. 57. (Circular.) Sir,' — Downing Street, 3rd December, 1887. With reference to my circular despatch of the 28th of October, enclosing a draft of the New Hebrides Convention, I have the honour to transmit to you copies of the Convention in French and English as actually signed. I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. My Lobd, — Paris, 16th November, 1887. I have the honour to transmit herewith to your Lordship the New Hebrides Convention, which, under the authority conveyed in your Lordship's Despatch No. 61, treaty, of the 14th instant, I have this day signed with M. Flourens, in duplicate, one copy remaining in His Excellency's hands. I have, &c, The Most Noble the Marquis of Salisbury. Edwin H. Egebton.

Sub-Enclosure. Convention relative to the New Hebeides, signed at Paris, 16th November, 1887. The Government of Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Government of the French Bepublic, being desirous to abrogate the declaration of the 19th June, 1847, relative to the islands leeward of Tahiti, and also to make provision for the future protection of life and property in the New Hebrides, have agreed upon the following articles: — Abticle I. —The Government of Her Britannic Majesty consent to proceed to the abrogation of the declaration of 1847 relative to the islands to the leeward of Tahiti as soon as the agreement hereinafter contained for the future protection of life and property in the New Hebrides by means of a Joint Commission shall have been carried out. Abticle II. —A Joint Naval Commission shall be immediately constituted, composed of British and French naval officers on the Pacific station, charged with the duty of maintaining order and of protecting the lives and property of British subjects and French citizens in the New Hebrides. Akticle lII.—A declaration to that effect shall be signed by the two Governments. Abticle IV.—The regulations for the guidance of the Commission shall be drawn up by the two Governments, approved by them, and transmitted to the Commanders of the British and French ships on the Pacific naval station within a period not exceeding four months from the date of the signature of the present Convention, should it be impossible to do so earlier.