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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

Date of first

ayment. late for greement to ommence.

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losing of

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ARTICLE X.

1. That the payments named in Article VII. shall be considered as payments in advance, and shall first become due and payable on the date on which the several vessels are put in commission; and the period of ten years referred to in Article IX. is to be calculated from the same date.

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2. The share of these payments due from each Colony shall be paid annually in London on the day so fixed by the Agents-General and the Crown Agents respectively to such account as the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty may direct.

3. That the accounts of these vessels shall be closed each year on the 31st March, and the difference between expenditure and 91,000l. per annum for maintenance adjusted in subsequent annual paj ments, should the actual expenditure prove less than that sum.

ARTICLE XI.

That nothing in this Agreement shall affect the purely local naval defence forces ice forces. which have been, or may be, created in the several Colonies for harbour and coast defence. Such local forces in each Colony to be paid for entirely by that Colony, and to be solely under its control.

Beels to

New Zea- d watere.

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ARTICLE XII.

That in time of peace two vessels, either of the normal Imperial squadron, or of the stationed vessels to be built for service within the Australasian waters, shall, so far as the exigencies of the public service will permit, be stationed in New Zealand waters. Should, however, such emergency arise as may, in the opinion of the Naval Commander-in-Chief, render it necessary to remove either or both these vessels, he will inform the Governor, and acquaint him with the reasons for such temporary removal.

erters.

re of

ARTICLE XIII,

That the several Colonies shall undertake to afford greater facilities than at present exist for the capture of deserters.

No. 65.

AGREEMENT AS TO ADDITIONAL FORCE TO BE EMPLOYED FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE FLOATING TRADE IN AUSTRALASIAN WATERS.

(APPROVED DRaft.)

THE Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &c., and the Governments of Her Majesty's Colonies of New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, New Zealand, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia, having recognised the necessity of increasing the Naval Force for the protection of the floating trade in Australasian waters at their joint charge, have resolved to conclude for this purpose an Agreement as follows :--

ARTICLE I.

There shall be established a force of sea-going ships of war, herein-after referred to as "these vessels," to be provided, equipped, manned, and maintained at the joint cost of Imperial and Colonial funds.

ARTICLE II.

These vessels shall be placed in every respect on the same status as Her Majesty's ships of war, whether in commission or not.

ARTICLE III.

The officers and men of such of these vessels as are in commission shall be changed triennially, and of those in reserve as may be considered advisable.

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ARTICLE IV.

These vessels shall be under the sole control and orders of the Naval Commander-in-Control. Chief for the time being appointed to command Her Majesty's ships and vessels on the Australian Station.

That these vessels shall be retained within the limits of the Australian Station as Limit of em defined in the Standing Orders of the Naval Commander-in-Chief, and in times of peace ployment. or war shall be employed within such limits in the same way as are Her Majesty's ships of war, or employed beyond those limits only with the consent of the Colonial Governments.

ARTICLE V.

Notwithstanding the establishment of this joint naval force, no reduction is to take No reduc place in the normal strength of Her Majesty's naval force employed on the Australian tion of

Imperial Station, exclusive of surveying vessels.

squadron.

ARTICLE VI.

These vessels shall consist of five fast cruizers and two torpedo-gunboats, as repre- Number of sented by the Archer" (improved type) and “ Rattlesnake" classes in Her Majesty's vessels. navy. Öf the above, three cruizers and one gunboat to be kept always in commission, the remainder being held in reserve, in Australasian ports, ready for commission when- ever occasion arises.

ARTICLE VII.

1. The first cost of these vessels shall be paid out of Imperial funds, and the vessels Cost. fully equipped, raanned, and sent to Australia.

2. The Colonies shall pay the Imperial Government interest at 5 per cent. on the Interest on first and prime cost of these vessels, such payment not to exceed the annual sum of first cost, 35,0007.

maintenance.

3. The Colonies shall, in addition, bear the actual charges for maintaining from year Annual to year the three fast cruizers and one torpedo-gunboat which are to be kept in com- charge for mission in time of peace, and also of the three other vessels which are to remain in reserve, including the liability on account of retired pay to officers, pensions to men, and the charge for relief of crews; provided always that the claim made by the Imperial Government under this head does not exceed the annual payment of 91,0007.

1. In the time of emergency or actual war the cost of commissioning and maintaining Cost of the three vessels kept in reserve during peace shall be borne by the Imperial maintenance Government.

ARTICLE VIII.

in war.

In the event of any of these vessels being lost they shall be replaced at the cost of Replacement the Imperial Government.

ARTICLE IX.

of vessels if lost.

1. This Agreement shall be considered to become actually binding between the Terms of Imperial and the several Colonial Governments named in the first clause so soon as the Agreement. Colonial Legislatures shall have passed special appropriations for the terms herein-after mentioned, to which Acts this Agreement shall be attached as a first schedule.

2. The Agreement shall be for a period of ten years, and only terminate if and provided Period. notice has been given two years previously, viz., at the end of the eighth year, or at the end of any subsequent year, and then two years after such date.

3. On the termination of the Agreement, these vessels to remain the property of the Vessels to be Imperial Government.

ARTICLE X.

property of Admiralty.

1. The payments named in Article VII. shall be considered as payments in advance, Dute of first and shall first become due and payable on the dates on which the several vessels are put payment. in commission; and the period of ten years referred to in Article IX, is to be calculated Date for

Agreement to from the date of the first vessel being put in cominission.

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