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similarly reserved and assented to in like manner. Provision has also been made in New Guinea for restricting the employment of natives under contract in places at a distance from their homes, or beyond the possession; and recent events point to the necessity for similar restrictions in the case of the Hervey Islands. Legislation by way of ordinances is unsuited to the conditions of a protected territory, which is not part of Her Majesty's dominions; but Her Majesty's Government regard as essential the principle embodied in these conditions, and trust that your Ministers will readily concur in the opinion that you should give effect to it by such means as may be at your command. I have, &c, KNUTSFORD. Governor the Right Hon., the Earl of Onslow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 48. (New Zealand, No. 10.) Sir,— Downing Street, 18th February, 1890. With reference to my Despatch No. 8, of the Bth instant, and to previous correspondence respecting the establishment of a protectorate over the islands of the Hervey Group, I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, copies of two despatches from the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, and of my reply, with regard to the importation into Tonga of some natives of the Hervey or Cook's Islands. I have, &c, KNUTSFORD. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Onslow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 48

Enclosure 1. Sir J. B. Thueston to Lord Knutsfoed. High Commissioner's Office, Western Pacific, Suva, Fiji, My Lokd,— 20th November, 1889. I have the honour to enclose copies of correspondence with Mr. Leefe, Deputy Commissioner at Tonga, with regard to the importation into Tonga of natives of the Island of Mangaia, one of the Hervey or Cook's Group, recently placed under British protection. These natives, Mr. Leefe states, entered into an agreement, countersigned by Mr. Exham, the British Consul at Earotonga, and are to be employed on the banana and other plantations of the Tongan Government. 2. I think it very objectionable that such an engagement should have received the sanction of British authority. But, presuming that the men went of their own free will, and that the master of the vessel which carried them had a license under the Pacific Islanders' Protection Acts, I do not see anything illegal in the transaction. 8. I would, however, respectfully ask that the matter be brought before the notice of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with a view to Mr. Exhain's being instructed not to sanction such a proceeding in future. Mr. Exham is, I believe, engaged in trade, and I would suggest that he might be instructed to issue no licenses except in respect of vessels carrying labourers to be employed by British subjects, and that licenses should not be granted by him to the master of any vessel who might have conveniently made application to the Governor of one of the Australasian Colonies. 4. If I am able to obtain means of conveyance to Tonga in the early part of next year, it is my intention to make personal inquiry as to the circumstances under which the labourers were recruited. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, G.C.M.G., &c. John B. Thurston.

Sub-Enclosures. Mr. Leefe to the High Commissioner. Sib, — . British Consulate, Tonga, sth November, 1889. I have the honour to inform you that, it having come to my knowledge that on the last voyage of the s.s. " Richmond " from Tahiti via Earotonga forty-one natives of the Island of.Mangaia, one of the Hervey or Cook's Group, some months ago taken under the protection of Great Britain, had bßen brought to Toaga to work for the Tongan Government on their various banana and other plantations, I addressed a letter (Enclosure 1) to the Government of this country. I have learnt that the men have up to now not ..been ill-treated by the gaolers who have been put in charge of them ; but, as the Tongan gaolers have frequently, to my certain knowledge, committed acts of gross brutality to the prisoners in their charge, I consider that it would be very improper to permit these men, who are, no doubt, like other natives of the South Pacific, easily imposed upon, to remain longer than necessary under their charge; moreover, I think that secrecy