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No. 2. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Sic,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 6th July, 1887. I beg to annex Times reports of questions asked in both Houses of Parliament last night respecting the High Commissioner's report on the recent disturbances at Tonga. The report itself will be sent to you as soon as it is published. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosures. [Extracts from the Times, Wednesday, 6th July, 1887.] House of Loeds.—Peesecutions in Tonga. The Archbishop of Yobk, in putting a question to the Government, stated the substance of the reports which had been published as to the persecutions in Tonga. A former Wesleyan missionary named Baker had attained to political power, and had established a Free Church, and it was alleged that he had persecuted the Wesleyans with the object of compelling them to join his new Free Church. There had been severe beatings and floggings, and all the worst elements of a religious persecution. At last some of the despairing Wesleyans made an attempt to assassinate Baker, and some members of his family were injured. It was said that six men were thereupon arrested, and were taken to a little island 60yds. long, where six graves had been dug. Two of these men confessed their complicity in the attack upon Baker, and exonerated the other four; but without any form of trial all six were shot one by one. The latest news was that two shiploads of Wesleyans were to be deported to one of the Fiji Islands. The allegations of persecution had been inquired into by Sir Charles Mitchell, and it was stated that he had sent Home a report which was accompanied by the depositions of 160 witnesses. He wished to ask whether the report hud been examined by the Government, and whether the information contained in it could be laid before the House without disadvantage to the public service. It might be a question whether the depositions should be published, but, as great crimes appeared to have been committed, it was hoped that the report or an abstract of it, with or without the evidence, might be laid before the country. The Earl of Onslow said that Sir Charles Mitchell had been to Tonga to make an inquiry, and he sent Home a report and an enclosure. He could not give an absolute promise until the report had been considered by the Government, but he hoped that the report and the accompanying documents might be laid before Parliament. He had placed them in the hands of the printer, and had pressed that they might be put into type without delay. He hoped that the papers might be presented to the House and distributed to their lordships early next week.

House of Commons. —The Peeseoutions in Tonga. Mr. James asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether Sir C. Mitchell's report on the persecutions in Tonga would be laid upon the table, and, if so, when it would be in the hands of members. Sir H. Holland. —Sir Charles Mitchell's report will be laid on the table. The report is a very full one, and the enclosures also extend to a great length. I have very little doubt that the whole of it can be presented, but I cannot give an absolute undertaking to that effect until the Foreign Office have had an opportunity of reading it. I have pressed on the printing, and I should hope that the papers may be distributed early next week.

No. 3. The Agent-Geneeal to the Pkemiee. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 29th July, 1887. I have the honour herewith to transmit copy of letter, with printed enclosures, received from the Colonial Office relative to affairs in the Solomon Islands. I have, &c, Waltee Kennaway, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (For the Agent-General.)

Enclosure. The Colonial Office to the Agent-General. Sic, — Colonial Office, Downing Street, 29th July, 1887. With reference to the letter from this department of the 20th January, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a further circular with enclosures, .which he has addressed to the Governors of the Australasian Colonies and to the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, in connection with affairs in the Solomon Islands. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. John Beamston.

A.-3, 1887, Sess. 1., No. 14,