A.—No. 2.

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND RELATIVE TO THE RECOGNITION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF FIJI.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OE HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1872.

A.—No. 2.

CORRESPONDENCE EELATIVE TO THE RECOGNITION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF FIJI.

No. 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Bight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 57.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord,— New Zealand, 11th July, 1872. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your Lordship's information, a copy of a letter which I have lately received from the Secretary of King Cakobau, of the Eiji Islands, transmitting copies of the new Eiji Government Gazette, "containing the proclamation and appointment of an Executive to " administer the King's Government under the Constitution of 1867." I annex a copy of my acknowledgment of the receipt of this letter. 2. I understand from Lord Belmore that he has not failed, according to the custom followed by previous Governors of New South Wales, to keep your Lordship and your predecessors at the Colonial Office fully informed of the progress of events in the Eijis, and in the South Sea Islands generally. I will, therefore, only observe that it is evidently intended to set up in the Eijis a form of polity similar to that already established in the Hawaiian (Sandwich) Islands, viz., a native dynasty, with European advisers and agents. This is an interesting experiment. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. E. BOWEN.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. Secbetaey of King Cakobatj to the Goyeenoe of New Zealand. Yotjk Excellency,— Levuka, Eiji, Government Offices, 16th June, 1871. I am directed by the King, Cakobau the First, to transmit for your information copies of Government Gazette, containing proclamation and appointment of an Executive to administer the King's Government under the Constitution of 1867. I have, &c, His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. W. M. Moobe, Secretary. Enclosure 2 in No. 1. The Peitate Secektaey to the Seceetaex to King Cakobau. Sic, — Government House, Auckland, 4th July, 1871. I am directed by Governor Sir G. Bowen to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 31-71, of the 16th June ultimo. I have, &c, "W. M. Moore, Esq., Secretary to Executive Council, Heney D. Pitt, Capt. E.A., Levuka, Fiji. Private Secretary.

No. 2. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimbbblet to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 3rd November, 1871. I have received your Despatch No. 57, of the 11th July, 1871, respecting the formation of a Government at Eiji, under the authority of King Thakombau. I have to inform you that as long as this newly-constituted Government exercises actual authority, you should deal with it as a de facto Government so far as concerns the districts which may acknowledge its rule; but Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to give any opinion as to the propriety of formally recognising it without much fuller information as to its character and prospects. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBEELEY.