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partners and firm have suffered and sustained at the hands of the German Consular and naval authorities at Apia as aforesaid. We, the abovenamed appearers and declarants, Charles Allan Edenborough, Eobert Guthrie Hutton, and William Paton, do severally, solemnly, and sincerely declare as follows : — I, the said Charles Allan Edenborough, for myself, declare that my foregoing statement is correct, and contains a true account of the facts and circumstances that I narrate. And I, the said Eobert Guthrie Hutton, for myself, declare that my foregoing statement is correct, and contains a true account of the facts and circumstances that I narrate. And I, the said William Paton, for myself, declare that my foregoing statement is correct, and contains a true account of the facts and circumstances that I narrate. And we, severally, make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of an Act of the Imperial Parliament now known by the Short Title of " The Statutory Declarations Act, 1835," and also of an Act of the General Assembly of New Zealand intituled " The Justices of the Peace Act, 1882." Thus declared and protested in due form of law at my\ C. Allan Edenbobough. offices, 95, Queen Street, in the City of Auckland,! Eobt. G. Hutton. and Colony of New Zealand, this 21st day of February, William Paton. one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine. (1.5.) Before me, William Coleman, Notary Public.

Mr. W. Coleman, Solicitor and Notary Public, to Dr. Knapke, Imperial German Consul, Apia, Samoa. Sib, — 95, Queen Street, Auckland, New Zealand, 21st February, 1889. I have the honour, as solicitor and notary for iny clients, Messrs. Donald and Edenborough, British merchants of this city, and by their instructions, to send you this communication concerning the conduct of the German Consular and naval authorities at Apia, Samoa, in relation to Messrs. Donald and Edenborough's British steamer " Eichinond" and her cargo whilst lying at Apia in. the month of January, 1889. Messrs. Donald and Edenborough protest most strongly against the action of the aforesaid German authorities, and have many grievous complaints to make against them. Some of the grounds of these complaints I beg leave most respectfully to mention here, although, as I am instructed, you are doubtless already fully aware of them. For instance, Messrs. Donald and Edenborough complain : (1.) That the German Consular and naval authorities at Apia, Samoa, alleged and persisted in asserting that they had a right to search my clients' steamer " Bichmond " and her cargo. (2.) That, further, the said German Consular and naval authorities did actually enforce, and persisted in enforcing, their alleged right of search in respect of the said steamer and her cargo by the strong hand with armed men. (8.) That they were not content with an examination of the ship's papers and the statements of Mr. Edenborough and her captain, but opened the cargo and damaged and injured it; and forcibly, with armed men, restrained, prevented, hindered, and delayed its discharge, and eventually only suffered it to be discharged at one particular spot, at a most inconvenient place, dictated by themselves, viz., in the German harbour, at the German wharf, on the private premises of the German mercantile house or firm of Deutsche Handels und Plantagen Gesellschaft der Sudsee Inselm zu Hamburg. (4.) That the said German authorities, by their action, hindered, detained, and delayed the steamer " Eichmoud," which is under contract with the New Zealand Government to carry Her Britannic Majesty's mails. (5.) That the said German authorities kept constant armed watch and guard and arrest over the steamer, her passengers, and cargo. (6.) That the said German authorities without notice, leave, or license, boarded the said steamer with armed men, and trespassed and remained upon her with force and arms. (7.) That the said German Consular and naval authorities, with an armed force, seized and arrested an inoffensive English passenger upon the " Eichmond's " decks, and took him away prisoner from under the British flag, for no offence known to British law, and tried and convicted him by German court-martial on board a German ship-of-war at Apia, whilst the British Consular Court at Apia was open. (8.) That the said German Consular and naval authorities invaded and violated the rights and liberties as a British subject of the person of Mr. Charles Allan Edenborough, a member of the said firm of Messrs. Donald and Edenborough; and also the rights and liberties as British subjects of the persons of their captain and crew. (9.) That the said German Consular and naval authorities invaded and violated the rights of property of the said firm ; and did and committed, with the strong hand, unwarranted by law, divers other illegal oppressive deeds and things. (10.) That the acts and things complained of were done without any sufficient or lawful excuse ; and the alleged suspicions of the German authorities that articles contraband of war might be concealed on board the "Eichmond" were entirely without any just or reasonable cause or excuse, and proved to be entirely without foundation. These, then, are some of the grievances, trespasses, and wrongs of which my clients so strongly and so justly complain, and for which they seek redress. As my clients are advised, the matters and things complained of are altogether improper, wrongful, and illegal. They do not appear to have any excuse, warrant, or justification, by the law of nations or otherwise. Indeed, they may perhaps be found, according to the law of nations, to amount to hostile acts on the part of the Germans tantamount to a declaration or act of war against a friendly Power —I mean against the country of which my clients are the peaceful and natural-born subjects, viz., Great Britain and her dependencies. Messrs. Donald and Edenborough have already, as I understand, notified you, in effect, that they seek redress from the Imperial German Government. They have also mentioned to me that you have asked to be informed of the exact amount of their claim for compensation. In regard to