CO885-5 — Page 345

247

27.

Value,

£ S. 1,083 16

230 4

73 3

975 0

787 0

100 0

35 0 174 6

70 0

15

0

100 0

20460-αcoo

SIR,

GOVERNOR SIR H. B. LOCH, K.C.B. (VicTORIA), to The RIGHT Hov. EDWARD STANHOPE, M.P. (Received March 21, 1887,1

Government House, Melbourne, February 10, 1887.

I HAVE the honour to transmit a copy of a Despatch, dated the 29th ultimo, which I have received from Her Majesty's Special Commissioner for the protected territory in New Guinea, respecting the payment of a proportionate share of the deficiency in the annual payment of 15,000, to meet the expenses of the New Guinea Protectorate caused by the Colony of South Australia discontinuang its quota of the annual contribu- tion thereto.

I at once communicated the above Despatch to my Government, asking for an early reply thereto, and I enclose a Memorandumi which I received from my Ministers affording their views upon the subject.

You will observe that the Premier, Mr. Gillies, does not admit that this Colony entered into any agreement for guaranteeing the payment of 15,0007, beyond the first year ending 1st June 1885.

&c.

The Right Hon. Edward Stanhope, M.P.

&c.

&c.

I have, &c. (Signed)

HENRY B. LOCH.

Cutter "Maino,” née “Daisy"

50 tons of coals, 27. 15s. per ton

Various tools and forge

300 0

137 10 0

60 0 0

Saddlery and tackling

Chief's house

44 14 0

15 0 0

Survey instrument

Meteorological instruments

Dingy

Gaoler's cottage

Moorings and buoys

37 0 0

40 2 0

20 0 0

40 0 0

SIR,

20

0 0

Water tanks and piping

94 18 3

Various rifles and revolvers

80 0 0

Roads, clearing mangroves, &c,

200 0 0

l'urchase of land -

347 0 0

Argus Villa and improvements

100 0 0

Gatling gun and animunition

350 0 0

Thompson's deep-sounding apparatus

70 0 0

Photographic apparatus

50 0 0

Piping, additional

160 0 0

Wells at Granville West

100 0 0

Stores and trade on hand, about

300 0

£6,209 14 9

Enclosure in 27.

BRITISH NEW GUINEA,

Scott's Hotel, Melbourne, January 29, 1887.

I HAVE lately, as you are aware, applied to the various contributing Colonies for their several proportionate quotas towards the 15,000. which is the annual amount guaranteed to meet the expenses of the Protectorate.

2. By the Government of South Australia I have been informed, that on the occasion of its last payment Her Majesty's Government was advised, through the Agent-General of that Province in London, that no further payments would be made. I myself received no information at the time of this determination, and I am now, for the first time, in possession of an official intimation that no payment will be made for the year ending 1st of June 1887. This will leave a deficiency of 1,5247. 11s. 77, in the contributions for the current financial year.

3. You will doubtless remember that when first, in May 1884, a specific sum was required for the purpose of meeting the expenses of the Protectorate, the Colonies of Victoria and Queensland agreed to guarantee the whole amount of 15,000, which was then named. The other Australasian Colonies subsequently accepted their proportionate responsibilities in this respect, and under that engagement the Government of the Province of South Australia has paid two annual contributions of 1,5244. 11s. 7d.

4. I have, however, now received notice of discontinuance, and I am bound, under these circumstances, to apply to the guaranteeing Governments of Queensland and Victoria to meet the deficiency thus accruing.

5. I have had some personal communication with Mr. Gillies and Sir Samuel Griffith on this subject, and I have gathered from them that, at first sight, they do not feel disposed to recognise the engagement of the 4th July of 1884 as binding on them now, and as applicable to the year ending 1st of June 1887. I cannot myself believe that the Governments of Victoria and Queensland are freed from this their primary obligation, which I regard as one binding on them so long as the agreement between the Govern- ments of the Australasian Colonies and Her Majesty's Government remains in force.

6. I must, therefore, request your Excellency to submit the case formally to your Government, and I trust that the equitable agreement entered into will be maintained in its integrity.

A 51431.

0 0

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference :-

885

5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO