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1903. NEW ZEALAND.
TELEGRAPH CABLES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8, presented on the 28th August, 1902.]
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.
INDEX. EASTERN EXTENSION CABLES-Cape-Australia and Fremantle-Coeos. Pages. Canada levying Customs Dues, 30. Choice of Routes, Directing, 22, 23. Oooos Route, 3. Company adhering to International Convention, 29. Company's Message Form, 5, 21. Pee for registering Addresses, 30. Federal Agreement, 27, 28, 30; Proposed Conference, 30. Office-hours, 91, 92, 97-9. Rates, 1, 2, 6-8, 10-13, 15, 18, 19, 21, 24-26, 31, 32, 143, 160. Reduced New Zealand Rates under Federal Agreement, 5. Terminal Australian Rate (see Pacfiio: Rates). Troop Messages, 4, 9, 14, 16, 17,20 1 Tasmanian. Rates, 33-8 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 PACIFIC CABLEAct, Construction, Finance, &c. Allocating Proportion of Salaries, 87, 115. Buildings and Lines, and Apportioning Cost, 42, 49, 50, 55, 56, 57, 87, 104, 115, 117. Canadian Lines, 102, 103, 105-7, 109, 112, 113. Customs Dues and Local Rates, 122-5. Diversion of Traffic, or Arranging against Interruptions, 39, 70, 108, 109, 130, 135, 136, 255, 269. English Amending Aot, 1902, 53. Fleming's Memorandum, Sir S., 44, 46,100. InterDepartmental Committee's Report, 40. Lacey, Captain, 41. Laying and Opening Cable, 58, 62-8, 71-5, 79, 80, 85, 113, 114, 134, 254. New Zealand Act, 70. New Zealand's Share of Cost in Estimates, Providing, 45, 47-8, 51, 101, 116, 120. No London Public Offioe, 81, 82. Office-hours, 88-90, 94-7, 110, 111, 265. Port and Harbour Dues, 43. Quadruplex and Extending Wires, 118, 119, 121. Reported Duplication, 52, 54. Reynolds, Mr., visiting Colonies, 30. Southport working Direct Copper Wire, 59-61, 76, 77, 228. Speed on Cable, 83-5. Time occupied, 69, 107, 126, 265, 266, 272, 309. Transmitting Stations, 69, 93. Wireless Telegraphy, Farming-Honolulu, 39 .. ; . 10 Rates and Routes of Telegrams. British North Amerioa, 142. Canadian Telegraph Maps, 144, 151, 157, 158, 161. International Traffic, 133, 134, 139, 141. Norfolk and Suva, 131, 132. Rates, 127-30, 135-41, 145-8, 154-6, 159, 265; for Europe, 265. Terminal rate, 30, 137, 140, 150, 152, 153, 162, 163, 289. Transit Rate Pooling, 149, 150, 162 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 39 C ongratulations. On Opening of Cable, 78, 164-206, 265 .. .. .. .. .. 36 Canvassing. Disoussed and Settled, 120, 207-224, 255, 256, 265 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 44 Miscellaneous: Code-time, Duplexing, Fanning Island, See. Atlantio Companies or Post Office delivering, London, 257-9. Atlantic Multiple and Urgent Telegrams, 273. Canada requesting Free Press, 307. Code Addresses. 255, 256, 260, 265. Code-time, Inserting, 107, 163, 264-7, 271, 272, 274-89, 290, 291-9, 306, 308, 312. Duplex and Quadruplex, 118, 119,121, 226, 229-31. Fanning Island, 232, 233-53, 268. Greenwich Time, 261-3. Increase of Business, 289. Insuring, 225. Interruptions,"299. New South Wales Stamped Forms, 310. Norfolk Island Transmitting, 227. Official Time, 301, 302. Reported Free S.R's., 303, 304. Sells's Directory, 260, 270. Signalling Date, 305. " Via Eastern " Telegraphic Social Code, 300, 311 .. .. .. .. 48 UNITED STATES PACIFIC CABLEPartioulars, 313-314 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. -. .. 65
EASTERN EXTENSIONjCOMPANTS CABLES. CAPE-AUSTRALIA AND FREMANTLE-COCOS.
No. 1. The Mana&eb in Austbalasia, Eastern Extension Company, to the Hon. the PostmastebGenbeal, Wellington. Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sib, Melbourne, 24th October, 1901. I have the honour to inform you that, from the Ist proximo, the cable rate to Eodriguez will be 25., and to Cocos Is. per word, for both the contracting and the non-contracting States; also that the cable rate for troop messages vid Cocos to South Africa will be reduced to Is. per word from Ist proximo. I enclose a list of reduced rates for the contracting States from and to South Africa, vid Cocos, I have, &c, W. Waeeen, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, Manager in Australasia,
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No. 2. The Manages in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 22nd January, 1902. A Peess rate has been authorised between Australasia and Japan from to-day. Bate from New Zealand two and sevenpence per word.
No 3. The Officee in Chaege, Telegraph Office, Wakapuaka, to the Secebtaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Wakapuaka, sth March, 1902. Easteen Extension advise they are now ready to take traffic vid Cocos.
No. 4. The Geneeal Managee, Pacific Cable Board (at Suva), to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Suva, 6th May, 1902. Please order troop messages from New Zealand which Extension carry free from Wakapuaka to Sydney to be directed by that route. Not desirable we,should complicate accounts or interfere with courteous action Extension Company made before our cable existed.
No. 5. The Manager in Austbalasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sib,— Melbourne, 23rd May, 1902. Confirming my telegram of the 21st instant [No. 159, F.-8, 1902] I have the honour to inform you that my company, not wishing New Zealand and New Caledonia should be exceptionally treated pending negotiations with the Right Honourable Mr. Barton for a Federal agreement, are disposed to apply to them the tentative arrangement agreed upon between the Federal Government and the company that the reduced rates should be made uniform throughout the Commonwealth, provided the undertaking already given is extended accordingly. A formal undertaking from the Federal Government that the existing agreements should not be thereby prejudiced was necessary, in consequence of the following provision inserted in Article 1 by the contracting States : " Provided always this " [schedule of reduced rates] " shall only apply to the colonies entering into this agreement." The Honourable the Federal Attorney-General has given the extended undertaking, and the reduced rates will come into operation on the Ist June, 1902. I venture to hope that you will now agree to accept the company's message-form, which could be altered to correspond with the Government form if you consider it necessary. I have, &c, W. Wareen, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Manager in Australasia.
i Read here No. 128.] No. 6. The Superintendent, Eastern Extension Company, Wakapuaka, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Wakapuaka, 23rd May, 1902. Beene office has been officially notified that the reduced rates given in my telegram of yesterday [not printed ; but see No. 159, F.-8, 1902] will come into force on first of June.
No. 7. The Hon. the Acting-Premiee, Wellington, to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th May, 1902. Eastern Extension Company extends reduced international cable rates New Zealand, from first June, to and from Europe : Ordinary, three and four a word ; Government, two and three vid Pacific, the rate vid Extension a penny more ; Press, one and twopence. All our Government messages sent vid Pacific
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No. 8. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Adelaide, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Adelaide, 29th May, 1902. Eastern Extension Cable Company notify from Ist June next the rate for Government and Press messages between Europe and New Zealand will be those of—tariffs to Australia increased by fourpence Government and twopence Press, making the total charge for Government messages 2s. 4d. per word and for Press Is. 2d. per word.
No. 9. The Manager in Austbalasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secbetary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 2nd June, 1902. Bate for troops messages to South Africa reduced to tenpence-halfpenny per word from first instant.
No. 10. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Pest Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 3rd June, 1902. New Zealand Times publishes Government rate to Europe via Extension two and fourpence but vid Pacific two and threepence. Latter incorrect, as rates announced by Berne are same by both routes—namely, two and fourpence. Pacific cable Government rate twopence only applies to intercolonial traffic.
No. 11. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 4th June, 1902. Kate for Government international messages via Pacific two and threepence correct —Pacific intercolonial cable rate for both international and intercolonial Government messages fixed at twopence before cable open. Berne did not specifically announce rate for Government messages.
No. 12. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 4th June, 1902. See Berne telegram 1201 of 25th April, which states New Zealand international telegrams are submitted to existing rates. Berne also announces in telegram 1193 of 24th April Pacific cable rate thirty centimes. Commonwealth confirm the above, and say Pacific cable rate of twopence applies only to intercolonial Government messages.
No. 13. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, oth June, 1902. Berne circulars do not seem to affect Government rate Pacific cable. The announcement in No. 1201 that " international messages subject to existing charges" was on advice from this office, and, of course, made prior to uniform transit rate being adopted by Commonwealth. Federal Post Office subsequently informed us that it had advised Berue of reduced rates for New Zealand, otherwise we should have communicated direct with Berne. General Manager, Pacific Cable, announced that his Board had fixed rate for British Government messages at twopence a word, and added, " British Government rate would include Colonial Governments." There can be no doubt that the twopenny rate was to apply to international as well as intercolonial. In any case, Board would not be likely to raise rate for Government international messages to the level of ordinary, and leave intercolonial rate one penny lower. There is not a Government rate over the Sydney-Wakapuaka cable.
No. 14. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth June, 1902. Receipt acknowledged your service advising reduction rate to tenpence - halfpenny word for troop messages to South Africa.
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No. 15. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary; General Post Office, Wellington. Telegram.) Melbourne, 6th June, 1902. Have wired London what you say, but do not think any new international rate should be collected until it has been notified through the Bureau.
No. 16. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 14th June, 1902. Company highly appreciate generosity your Government handing them all unrouted troop messages, but understood all unrouted traffic is directed to be sent vid Pacific. Why this exception ?
No. 17. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th June, 1902. Rate troop messages restricted to Extension route. Were you to extend to Pacific, this no doubt acceptable to Board in interests its traffic.
No. 18. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster - General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist July, 1902. Please wire me rates chargeable for telegrams from this colony to stations on overland Line to Port Darwin ; also New Caledonia vid Extension, and Australian Press rate vid Extension.
No. 19. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne,'to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, Ist July, 1902. Your wire to-day : 1. Eates to Port Darwin stations are same as to any other place in Australia, 2. Australian transit rate on New Caledonian business to and from New Zealand is one penny per word. 3. Commonwealth Press rates are the same vid Eastern as vid Pacific.
No. 20. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sib,— Melbourne, 28th July, 1902. I have the honour to inform you that my company, in view of the cessation of military operations in South Africa and China, have decided to discontinue all special rates and arrangements for troop messages to and from both countries from the Ist October next. I have, &c, W. Warren, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Manager in Australasia.
No. 21. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. Bra,— General Post Office, Wellington, 17th October, 1902. I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd May last, confirming your cablegram with reference to the reduced rates for international telegrams from New Zealand, and expressing the hope that your company's telegram-forms would now be accepted by this Government. In reply, I am to express the Postmaster-General's regret that, after reconsidering the question, he is still unable to see his way to accede to your request. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. W. Warren, Eeq., Manager in Australasia, the Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Melbourne.
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No. 22. The Manager in Austealasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sib,— Melbourne, 24th October, 1902. Routes for International Telegrams. I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that on the opening of the Pacific cable, when there will be a choice of the routes available for senders, my company propose to adopt the same route-indicator for messages from Australasia as is in use in Great Britain and other countries—viz., via Eastern. This will apply to traffic via Port Darwin, via Roebuck Bay, and vid Perth-Cocos, my company deciding which portion of such traffic shall pass by each route. In the case of a sender wishing to direct a message "vid Teheran" the route should be indicated as " vid Eascern Teheran." I shall be glad if you will make the above known to all your telegraph-offices. I have, &c, W. Warbbn, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Manager in Australasia.
No. 23. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, 'Wellington, 27th November, 1902. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 24th ultimo, in connection with the use of route-indicators for messages from Australasia transmitted over your company's lines after the opening of the Pacific cable, and to inform you that the information conveyed therein has been communicated to this Department's offices. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. W. Warren, Esq., Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Melbourne.
No. 24. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 19th February, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that in the printed advice of postal and telegraph alterations for February, 1903, issued by the Deputy Postmaster-General of South Australia, a copy of which has reached this office, the following notice appears : — " Government Telegrams. —The charge for British and Colonial Government telegrams, by the Eastern Extension route, between Australia and Great Britain has been reduced to Is. 7-J-d. per word." I should be glad if you would kindly inform me whether it is the intention of your company to apply the reduced rate to Government telegrams from New Zealand to Great Britain. The charge in that case from this colony would be Is. 10-Jd. per word in place of the present rate of 2s. As you are aware, the Pacific cable tariff is Is. 6Jd. for each word. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Melbourne.
No. 25. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 2nd March, 1903. From first instant British and Colonial Government rate between New Zealand and Great Britain one and sevenpence-halfpenny per word via Eastern.
No. 26. The Manages in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sir,— Melbourne, 3rd March, 1903. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 19th ultimo respecting the rate for Government telegrams " vid Eastern." In reply, I beg to inform you that the matter has been receiving attention, and as advised you in my service message of the 2nd instant the rate for British and Colonial Government messages between New Zealand and Great Britain " via Eastern " has been reduced to Is. 7-J-d. per word from Ist instant.
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There will still be a difference of Id. per word between the Government rate vid Eastern and that vid Pacific, but I cannot see how the company can make a lower rate for New Zealand than for the Commonwealth, which is Is. 7|d. per word both vid Eastern and vid Pacific. I have, &c, W. Waeeen, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Manager in Australasia.
No. 27. The Hon. the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Pbime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 9th March, 1903. In pursuance of promise at the time of Colonial Conference have much pleasure in informing you that the Governments here about entering into agreement with Eastern Extension Company subject approval Parliament. New agreement will affect whole Commonwealth, and will be in substitution for existing agreement with New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia; current for ten years, then terminable on two years' notice either side. Company entitled establish offices in four States mentioned in agreement. Will have right to establish also Queensland, though latter not contemplated yet. On completion of agreement reduced charges Australian Colonies to India China will come into force. New clause precludes company disposing of cables ordinarily used between Australian Colonies and Great Britain or in Commonwealth without first giving option His Majesty's Government and Commonwealth purchase of cable appurtenances, price to be agreed by arbitration : and think extension of agreement to Victoria Queensland more than compensated by change from perpetuity at will of company into contract terminable in reasonably short time.
No. 28. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 17th March, 1903. Eefening to your cablegram of the 10th instant [not printed], relating to the agreement which the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia propose to make with the Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company, I beg herewith to transmit copy of letter which I addressed to the Colonial Office, the Pacific Cable Board, and the High Commissioner for Canada, together with copy of reply thereto which I have received from the Chairman of the Pacific Cable Board. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Eeeves.
Enclosure 1 in No. 28. The Agent-General to the Under-Secretahy of State for the Colonies. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 11th March, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that my Government, understanding that the Government of the Commonwealth proposed to enter into an amended agreement with the Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company, requested the Premier of the Commonwealth to furnish them with a copy of the proposed agreement, and in compliance with this request my Government have received a communication from him to the following effect: — Mr. Barton states that, in pursuance of a promise made at the time of the Colonial Conference, his Government are about to enter into an agreement with the Eastern Extension Company (subject to the approval of the Parliament of the Commonwealth) which will affect all the States of the Commonwealth, and be in substitution of the agreement which at present exists with only New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia, such agreement to be current for a period of ten years, and thereafter to be terminable at a two-years notice on either side. Under this proposed agreement the company will be entitled to establish stationsin both Victoria and Queensland, though it is not at present contemplated to establish them in Queensland. On completion of the agreement reduced charges for messages from Australia to India and China will come into force, and a new clause will preclude the company from disposing of cables in ordinary use between the Australian Colonies and Great Britain or in the Commonwealth without first giving to His Majesty's Government and to the Government of the Commonwealth the option to purchase the cable and its appurtenances at a price to be agreed on by arbitration. Mr. Barton, in communicating these particulars to my Government, expresses an opinion that the extension of the agreement to Victoria and Queensland is more than compensated by the change of perpetuity of the agreement at the will of the company into a contract terminable in a reasonably short time. My Government, in communicating the above information to me, express their strong opinion that the effect of this agreement will be prejudicial to the interests of the Pacific cable. It will give the company not only separate offices but separate wires for their traffic, and make the company independent of Government officers, and give the company advantages in other respects superior to those possessed by the Pacific cable. I am therefore instructed to state that my Government strongly protest against the advantages which the Eastern Extension Company will
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gain under the terms and conditions of the agreement proposed by the Government of the Commonwealth. Taking, therefore, into consideration the fact that the advantages thus proposed to be given to the Eastern Extension Company will have the effect of lessening the earnings of the Pacific cable, and thus increase the deficiency for which the contracting Governments will have to provide, my Government are prepared to co-operate with the Imperial and Dominion Governments in making a strong protest against the action which is proposed to be taken by the Government of the Commonwealth. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. W. P. Reevks. [A copy of this letter sent to the High Commissioner for Canada and to the Chairman of the Pacific Cable Board.] ,
Enclosure 2 in No. 28. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Agent-Genebal. Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, London, S.W., Deab Me. Beeves,— 13th March, 1903. I thank you for your letter. I have thought it best, as a first step, to forward a copy of it to the Colonial Office, in reference to the resolutions passed at our first Board meeting in the following terms : — " 1. That the agreement entered into with the Eastern Extension Company by the Government of New South Wales is prejudicial to the Pacific cable. " 2. That it is desirable that a conference representing the Governments concerned in the enterprise should be held to discuss the effect of the agreement on the Pacific cable. "3. That this resolution be forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for transmission to the Governments concerned." I have asked the Colonial Office whether they have taken any steps to carry out our suggestion of a conference. Yours, &c, The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand. S. Walpole.
No. 29. The Seobetaby of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lobd,— Downing Street, 7th April, 1903. I have the honour to state, for the information of your Government, that the adhesion of the Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company to the International Telegraph Convention of the 10th July, 1875, has been notified by His Majesty's Ambassador at Vienna to the Austro-Hungarian Government, and by that Government to the Governments which took part in that Convention. I have, &c, J. Chamberlain. Governor the Bight Hon. the Earl of Banfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.
No. 30. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 7th April, 1903. In continuation of my letter of the 17th March, I have to inform you that at a meeting of the Pacific Cable Board held on the 30th March the question of the proposed new agreement between Australia and the Eastern Extension Company was discussed. The Chairman informed the Board that he had written to the Colonial Office pointing out that two years ago the agreement between New South Wales and the Eastern Company had been made the subject of a resolution by the Board. The Board had then suggested that a conference of the partners in the Pacific cable should be held. As a matter of fact, the British Government, Canada, and New Zealand were willing to hold the conference, but no answer had ever been received from Australia on the subject. The Chairman now urged that a conference should be held to consider the new Australian agreement. The Board indorsed the opinion of the Chairman in writing as above to the Colonial Office, and also expi'essed an earnest hope that the conference would be held. The Australian representative, Mr. Copeland, protested, and indicated that he did not consider the agreement between Australia and the Eastern Company would injure the Pacific cable. The other members of the Board, however, took a different opinion. I should like to point out that there are now several matters which, in my opinion, ought to be considered by the Governments who own the Pacific cable. The first of these is the proposed Australian agreement above mentioned. The second is the excessive terminal rate charged by Australia. The third is that Australia is charging customers a fee for registering addresses. The fourth is that the Canadian Government intends to levy full Customs duty on all stores, machinery, and dutiable goods imported by the Board into the Dominion. They mean to go so far as to charge us even on all cable above low-water mark. In my opinion it is urgently necessary that all these matters should be discussed by the representatives of the various Governments, who should be empowered, if possible, to settle them. The present position is most unsatisfactory
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With regard to New Zealand's position in the matter of the terminal rate, I expressly told the Board that I could not guarantee that my Government would hold its hand much longer. I told the members that I had asked you not to put up our terminal rate until the other Governments had had a chance of considering the Chairman's pooling proposal. Having done that I could do no more. It was impossible for me to say how long you would think proper to wait, and I certainly did not suppose that you would hold your hand for an indefinite time. . . _. . I have had two or three personal interviews with Lord Strathcona on the question of the Australian agreement with the Eastern Company, and we agreed that he should ask Mr. Chamberlain to grant us a personal interview. Mr. Chamberlain has promised to see us, but has asked us not to press for an interview until after Easter, as since his return from South Africa he is overwhelmed with work. When he does see us, I propose to press upon him strongly the necessity for a conference in order to bring Australia into line if possible. Lord Strathcona seems anxious to co-operate in this direction. I may add that I have personally seen the Chairman this afternoon, and have said to him very much what lam now saying to you. There is no doubt that the line taken by Australia is most unsatisfactory and is militating against the success of the cable. In conversation with Lord Strathcona I told him that I thought it would shortly be advisable for the General Manager to pay a visit to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, in order to personally discuss with the various Governments any steps that could be taken to improve our business and counteract the manoeuvres of the Eastern Company. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves. p.S. With my letter of the 17th March I enclosed copy of letter which I addressed to the Colonial Office, and herewith I annex a copy of the reply which I have received thereto.—W. P. R.
Enclosure in No 30. The Secretary of State for the Colonies, London, to the Agent-General. SlEj _ Colonial Office, S.W., 28th March, 1903. I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th of March, repeating the proposed agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, and to transmit to you, for your information, copy of a telegraphic correspondence with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth on the subject. A further communication will be addressed to you on the receipt of Lord Tennyson's reply to Mr. Chamberlain's telegram of the 27th instant. I am &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. H. Bertram Cox.
Sub-enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 30. The Governor-General of the Australian Commonwealth to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 27th March, 1903. Ministers advise that Government are about to enter into agreement with Eastern Extension Company in substitution for agreement entered into by the company and the Governments of New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia. New agreement will be for ten years subject thereafter to two years' notice on either side. The right as to opening offices, &c, conferred on company under former agreements will be continued, and extended to Victoria and Queensland. Company will not dispose of any of their rights or cables without first giving option for the purchase to Governments of Australian Federation and British Government at a price agreed on by arbitration. There will be reduction of present rate between Australia, India, and the East. It is considered that advantage is gained by fixing of definite term in lieu of interminable agreements with the four States named, which more than compensates for additional privileges granted to the company, and will ultimately prove to be great service to the Pacific cable. My Responsible Advisers request you will be good enough to inform Pacific Cable Board of the action intended to be taken.
Sub-enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 30. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor-General of the Australian Commonwealth . (Telegram.) London, 27th March, 1903. Referring to your telegram of 27th March : In view of representation which has been made to me by the Government of New Zealand, I hope that before agreement is submitted to Commonwealth Parliament your Ministers will consent to questions arising out of it being discussed at a conference between representatives of various partners in Pacific cable. See letters from Colonial Office to Agents-General for New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland of 11th April, 1901, of which copies are, no doubt, on record locally. Canada and New Zealand agreed to conference proposed therein, but no replies received from Australia [see Nos. 61-67, F.-8, 1902]. Please telegraph views of your Ministers as soon as possible, and let me know when I may expect copies of agreement,
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No. 31. The Managee in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneeal, Wellington. The Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sir,— Melbourne, 18th May, 1903. I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that, in compliance with a request made by the Eight Hon. the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, my board of directors has agreed to reduce the rates to India and China to 2s. 6d. per word on and after Ist June, 1903. My board has also decided to extend the reduced tariffs to New Zealand, with the addition of their New Zealand cable transit and your Government terminal rates, from the same date, and I have the pleasure to enclose a complete list of the latter herewith [not printed] . I have, &c, W. Warren, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Manager in Australasia.
No. 32. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 24th June, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the ISth ultimo, notifying that, in compliance with the request of the Eight Hon. the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, your board of directors had agreed to reduce the rates to India and China to 2s. 6d. per word, as from the Ist June, 1903 ; also that your board had decided to extend the reduced tariffs to New Zealand, with the addition of their New Zealand cable transit and the New Zealand Government's terminal rates, as from the same date. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Melbourne.
TASMANIAN CABLE.
No. 33. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 16th October, 1902. Governor-General approved cable rate for telegrams transmitted over cable between Tasmania and Victoria be reduced to halfpenny per word, including address and signature, take effect from first November. Alteration applies only to ordinary inter-State telegrams. No alteration at present intended to be made in cable charge on Press telegrams. Letter following.
No. 34. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia (Postmaster-General's Department), Sir,— Melbourne, 16th October, 1902. In confirmation of my telegram of to-day's date, I have the honour to inform you that the Acting Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, by and with the advice of the Executive Council thereof, has approved that the cable rate for telegrams transmitted over the cable between Tasmania and Victoria be reduced to one halfpenny (-J-d.) per word, including address and signature, to take effect on and from the Ist day of November, 1902. The alteration applies only to ordinary inter-State telegrams, and no alteration is at present intended to be made in the cable charge on Press telegrams. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Eobt. T. Scott, Secretary.
No. 35. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 24th November, 1902. Goveenor-General in Council has approved that Tasmanian cable charge on Press telegrams within Commonwealth and to and from New Zealand, sent over Tasmanian cable, be reduced to one shilling for first one hundred words and sixpence each additional fifty words, dating from first instant. 2—F. 8.
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No. 36. The Sbokbtary, General Post Office, "Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd December, 1902. Am disappointed to learn that reduction in Tasmanian cable rate advised in your telegram of sixteenth October, subsequently confirmed by letter bearing same date, is now held to apply to Commonwealth only. Your advice, otherwise unnecessary, was therefore regarded as indicating the inclusion of New Zealand in arrangement. I will be glad to learn, therefore, that reported exclusion of this colony is incorrect.
No. 37. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 3rd December, 1902. Youk wire second instant re reduced Tasmanian cable rate : Question asked by Pacific cable authorities understood to refer to international traffic generally, as this office was at the time in communication with them on that subject. Although New Zealand traffic is actually international so far as Commonwealth is concerned, there is no intention to exclude New Zealand from the reduced rate for the present, and our officers are being instructed accordingly.
No. 38. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless .Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 4th December, 1902. Following just received from Mr. Scott : " Your inquiry through Brough, Brisbane, re application of halfpenny rate on Tasmanian business was understood to refer to international messages concerning rate on which to Tasmania we were then in communication with your Board. My reply of first instant: The reduced halfpenny rate applies for the present to New Zealand business under special arrangement."
PACIFIC CABLE.
ACT, GONSTEUGTION, FINANCE, ETC.
No. 39. The Agent-Genesal to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 18th April, 1902. Sir, — Pacific Gable. I beg herewith to enciose copy received this day of cablegram [not printed] forwarded by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors-General and Governors of the Dominion of Canada, Australian Commonwealth, and New Zealand with reference to the arrangements which should be made for traffic in case of interruptions. I have this day cabled to you [No. 92, F.-8, 1902] that I have been informed that Lord Kelvin and others believe that telegraphic communication could be worked between Fanning Island and Honolulu by wireless telegraphy. In any case, the whole question requires careful consideration. There is no necessity for haste in corning to a decision. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand. W. P. Reeves.
No. 40. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 10th May, 1902. Report of Committee on Gable Communications. (Memorandum.) I beg to enclose herewith, for the information of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, a copy of the first and second reports [not printed] of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Cable Communications. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves,
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No. 41. The Secbetaky, Pacific Cable Board, London, to His Excellency the Goveenob. Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, London, S.W., My Lokd,— 14th May, 1902. I am instructed by the Pacific Cable Board to inform you that the Board have appointed Captain W. H. Lacey, late of the Western Brazilian and Amazon Telegraph Companies, to the command of their repairing-vessel now in course of construction. Captain Lacey will enter upon his duties early in July, and superintend the completion of the vessel. I am, &c, His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. Hugh Latham, Secretary.
No. 42. The Hon. the Postmastee-Genekal, Wellington, to the Chaikman, Pacific Cable Board, London. General Post Office, Wellington, 14th May, 1902. Sib, — Pacific Gable Station Buildings and Water-supply at Doubtless Bay. Referring to your telegrams of the 3rd September last [No. 28, F.-8, 1902] and the 11th December following [No. 39, F.-8, 1902], I have the honour to inform you that the original estimate of the cost of the buildings has been exceeded by £200, as excavation, drainage, &c, not foreseen have had to be provided for. A further sum of £200, in addition to the £600 specially authorised for water-supply, has been found necessary. Mr. Keynolds has given provisional authority for the payment of these amounts ; and I shall be obliged if your Board will now give its formal sanction to the expenditure, which has been already incurred, and which, I am assured, was quite unavoidable. I have, &c, J. G. Waed, Postmaster-General. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, London, S.W.
No. 43. The Acting-Seoeetaby, Auckland Harbour Board, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. Sib, — Auckland Harbour Board, Auckland, 11th June, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo [No. 108, P.-8, 1902], in further reference to the subject of refund of harbour and port dues payable by s.s. " Anglia," and informing me that the contractors for laying the Pacific cable would benefit by such refund and not your Department. In reply, I beg to inform you that your letter was read at a meeting of the Board held yesterday, when it was resolved, " That the application for refund of dues on cable-steamer ' Anglia ' be declined." I have, &c, M. H. Laied, Acting-Secretary. W. Gray, Esq., Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 44. Memoeandum on the Pacific Cable and the Telegeaph Seevice of the Empibe. (Bespeetfully submitted for the Information and Consideration of Members of the Coronation Conference by Sir Sandford Fleming.) Ottawa, June 14, 1902. 1. In the Canadian Parliament a few weeks ago the Honourable William Mulock, PostmasterGeneral, informed the members that a complication prejudicial to Canadian interests had arisen in connection with the Pacific cable. 2. Although this complication is distinctly traceable to the pronounced hostility to the Pacific cable of the Eastern Extension and associated telegraph companies, its immediate cause is due to the action of the Government of New South Wales in granting to the companies concessions materially affecting the financial outlook of the Pacific-cable scheme. 3. On December 31, 1900, the contract for establishing the Pacific cable was formally executed on behalf of the Home Government, the Governments of Canada, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and New Zealand. Sixteen days afterwards the Government of New South Wales, without the consent of the five other Governments in the partnership arrangement or any of them, granted the telegraph companies under a formal agreement the concessions referred to. This agreement cannot be rescinded unless by mutual consent, and as the post and telegraph service has since the date of the agreement been transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia, New South Wales, even if she so desired, has not now the power to set aside her own act. The power has passed from her, and the Government of the Commonwealth, as the inheritor of the act, is bound by the agreement. 4. When in Australia last year Mr. Mulock had frequent interviews with the Eight Honourable Edmund Barton, Premier of the Commonwealth, by whom he was made aware of the peculiar circumstances of the case. Mr. Barton and his Government were placed in an extremely difficult position, for if the Commonwealth inherits the particular act referred to of New South Wales, it
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likewise inherits the responsibilities assumed by each of the three Australian States—YicGoria, Queensland, and New South Wales—when they entered into the Pacific-cable arrangement. If, therefore, the agreement with the telegraph company cannot be changed, the moral obligations inseparable from the partnership agreement of an earlier date, resting on all the partners, are still more irrevocable. 5. Mr. Mulock informed the Canadian House of Commons that Mr. Barton recognised it to be the duty of the Commonwealth, while adhering to the agreement of New South Wales with the telegraph company, to live up to the spirit of the Pacific-cable agreement, and that he earnestly desired to see an honourable way out of the grave difficulty to which his Government had fallen heir. 6. As already stated, the difficulty is directly traceable to the Eastern Extension and associated telegraph companies. These companies have combined to thwart the efforts of the Governments concerned in establishing the Pacific cable. It cannot be said that those in the combination are inspired by lofty ideals or patriotic sentiments. They are governed entirely by considerations of private interest, and, in order to accomplish their ends, they are bent on controlling all the oversea lines of telegraph to Australia and New Zealand. There are good grounds for the belief that they aim to control even the Pacific cable itself. As will hereafter be pointed out, they have entered on a crusade which may so seriously affect the financial success of that undertaking as to develop a feeling against the policy of working it by the State, in order that its control may fall into their own hands. As the danger apprehended is imminent, the public interests will best be served by recalling and considering the facts. Possibly a knowledge of them may open up an honourable way out of the difficulty, acceptable to the Commonwealth of Australia, and to which each of the other partners in the Pacific-cable contract may yield a ready assent. 7. At the Colonial Conference held in London in 1887 the delegates discussed at some length various matters bearing on the telegraphs of the Empire. Again, in 1894, at the Ottawa Conference the discussions were renewed. At innumerable meetings of Chambers of Commerce, Empire Leagues, and other associations the subject has again and again been considered. In the interval which has elapsed the project of a British Empire telegraph service has been steadily developing. Its outline was submitted in a communication to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated October 28, 1898, and the main features of the scheme therein set forth may be described as one unbroken chain of State-owned telegraphs around the globe, touching or traversing all the great British possessions so as to bring each of them into direct electric touch with the Mother-country and with each other. In this manner Canada, New Zealand and Australia, India, South Africa, and the United Kingdom would be brought within the same electric circle. An essential feature of the scheme laid down is that no part of the system should touch foreign soil, and that the cables should each and all avoid shallow seas in proximity to any country likely at any time to prove unfriendly. The route of the telegraph was more precisely described as extending from London to Canada, through Canada to Vancouver, from Vancouver to New Zealand and Australia, thence to Perth in Western Australia, from Perth to South Africa, with a branch from Cocos Island to India ; from Capetown it was designed to extend to Bermuda, touching at St. Helena, Ascension, and Barbadoes; at Bermuda a choice of routes to England would be opened for selections. It might cross the Atlantic direct, or as an alternative extend northerly to a suitable point of junction with the State line between Canada and England. 8. Such a telegraph girdle of the globe would constitute a means of connecting all His Majesty's great possessions and nearly all the naval coaling-stations with each other and with the Imperial centre in London. The sub-ocean connections would be deep-sea cables in the least vulnerable position, and it may be added that the system would possess an advantage peculiar to a globe-encircling line of telegraph, each point touched would be telegraphically connected with every other point by two distinct routes extending in opposite directions. This feature possesses special value, and in practice would prove the best security against interruptions from whatever cause. 9. Since 1898, when the scheme was promulgated, progress has been made in its development : (1) A State-owned cable from Canada to New Zealand and Australia is on the eve of completion, and (2) a cable has been laid across the Indian Ocean from Australia to South Africa. The latter is, however, a private undertaking, from which have sprung the complications which perplex the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia. On this point a brief explanation is called for. 10. It is well known that the telegraph companies have from the first placed themselves in opposition to the Imperial telegraph scheme, and have employed every conceivable means to stifle the proposal to establish a Pacific cable. One main reason for their hostility to the Pacific cable lies in the fact that it forms the most important section of the larger proposal, and that the Canadian route is absolutely the only route by which the globe may be girdled by a chain of all-British cables, the proposal to which they are so strongly opposed. When it became known that the six Governments concerned had resolved to establish the Pacific cable, the telegraph companies combined and determined to adopt drastic measures in order to defeat the new State policy. They saw plainly that a State-owned cable across the Pacific would speedily lead to similar cables across the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Accordingly they arranged to preoccupy the ground by laying a private cable on the precise route which had previously been projected in the Indian and partly in the Atlantic Ocean for the Stateowned line. Moreover, they made tempting overtures to the Governments of the Australian Colonies, offering to reduce the burdensome telegraph charges hitherto exacted, provided these Governments granted them certain concessions, which concessions it was believed would enable the combined companies to ruin the commercial value of the Pacific cable. There is likewise evidence to show that the cable combine took means to invoke the powers of the Press to influence
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public opinion in their favour. Unfortunately the then Government of New South Wales listened to the overtures and granted what the companies asked for. 11. These in a few words are the circumstances which have led to the difficulty referred to by Mr. Mulock. There is a collision of interests—private on the one hand, public and Imperial on the other. The cable companies, looking to private rather than public interests, adopted a bold and aggressive policy. If they succeed in their designs they will hold firmly within their grasp the most important telegraph-lines of the Empire : a condition of things pregnant with danger ; for it must not be forgotten that the property, the privileges, and the powers of companies are transferable by purchase. We are not unfamiliar with such transfers, and we may ask ourselves the question, What would prevent a syndicate of German, French, or United States stock operators buying up the controlling power of the eastern group of cables? What would prevent the controlling power of the whole telegraph system of the Southern Hemisphere passing into foreign hands? What would prevent the cables of the Empire being alienated at the most critical moment ? 12. The mere possibility of such a thing can scarcely be regarded with equanimity. The question raised is of vital importance to British people everywhere. Obviously the obligation to safeguard the public interest in the matter of telegraph communications is thrown on the Government of the British family of nations, and at this juncture on no single Government more than on that of the great Commonwealth of Australia. 13. In November, 1900, an Inter-Departmental Committee was appointed by the Home Government to inquire into the subject of telegraphic connections, Lord Balfour of Burleigh being Chairman. The Committee reported a few weeks ago, and the points specially referred to in the report which have a bearing on the matter now being considered are as follows: — (1.) The Committee are strongly opposed to the general purchase of cables by the State. (2.) The Committee are of opinion that every important colony or naval base should be connected with the United Kingdom by one cable touching on British territory or on the territory of some friendly neutral. (3.) A variety of alternative routes should be provided wherever it is essential to seQure telegraphic communication in time of war. (4.) The normal policy should be to encourage free trade in cables. Exceptions should only be made to this rule on the ground of national, not of private, interests. 14. These are the principal conclusions reached by the Committee, and it will be observed that not one of them conflicts with the proposal formulated in October, 1898. With respect to the first point in the above list, the general purchase of cables by the State formed no part of the proposal then submitted. The proposal was not to purchase old cables, but to supplement them by establishing a sufficient number of new lines touching only British territory to connect every important colony with the Mother-country. This part of the proposal is in complete harmony with the recommendation of the Committee, with this difference, their recommendation is indefinite with respect to the number of cables, and may be understood to mean many cabbies, that is to say, a separate and distinct cable from each colony to the United Kingdom. The proposal of 1898 is precise and clear. Its main feature is to have the greater colonial possessions connected with each other and the Mother-country by one continuous chain of cables constituting an all-British telegraph around the globe. Importance is attached to this proposal in the interest of economy, as it would secure every advantage with the least outlay. Moreover, the continuity of the cables, so as to form an electric ring around the earth, would in practice be the best security against interruption in the transmission of messages, as when a break should occur at any point there would remain an alternative route in the opposite direction. 15. It is not necessary to dwell upon the enormous importance of having the globe girdled by an all-British State-owned telegraph, as its advantages are self-evident. When the proposal was made known in December, 1898, the British and colonial Press with extraordinary unanimity expressed generally the opinion that the advantages to result are incontrovertible ; that nothing would tend more to quicken a sense of unity and solidarity throughout the Empire; that at all times it would place it in the power of the Governments to regulate and moderate the rates for the transmission of messages between all the countries served ; that the immediate effect would be to facilitate intercourse and foster trade not only between the Mother-country and the colonies, but between the colonies themselves. 16. One essential point to be insisted on is that the Imperial telegraph girdle must be absolutely State-controlled, in order that the main lines of communication of the Empire be placed beyond the possibility of interference by trusts and combines—that is to say, that they shall remain inviolably British. 17. The expenditure involved would be considerable, but it is far outweighed by the incalculable benefits to result. The original estimate of expenditure required to establish such a telegraph girdle round the globe was from £5,000,000 to £6,000,000, but this included the Pacific cable which will cost close on £2,000,000. The Pacific cable will shortly be completed. To provide and lay the remaining cables not far short of £4,000,000 will be required. 18. The foregoing paragraphs relate in brief detail the causes which have led to the complications which have arisen in Australia, and point out the inevitable outcome of the designs of the cable companies if they are allowed to go unchecked. The gravity of the peril has been indicated, and it is of such a character as to demand decisive action on the part of the Governments concerned. 19. Although the complications referred to by Mr. Mulock in the Canadian House of Commons had their origin in Australia, the question raised is not limited to that country. The antagonists of an Imperial system of cables conspired to defeat it, they played what from their own standpoint might be regarded as a master-stroke. This action has, however, brought forward an Imperial
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question of vital importance, in which we are all concerned, and the issues at stake are such that it is in the last degree inexpedient to place it in the power of any man or syndicate of men to gain control of the nervous system of this great oceanic Empire. 20. We have a common interest in a common object. We have a common interest in seeing that a gigantic cable combination shall not be fastened on the British people to handicap commerce and retard general progress, and still more are we all interested in seeing that it shall not remain as a menace to the security of the Empire. 21. The problem presented is of the first importance, and the solution of it rests with the statesmen from the self-governing parts of the Empire to be assembled at the Coronation Conference. It can undoubtedly be solved by following the same policy as that adopted in the establishment of the Pacific cable—that is to say, by a partnership arrangement in which all will unite for the common good. 22. Our common object is the freest intercourse, and this object can best be attained by linking together all the great outposts of the Empire precisely as Canada, New Zealand, and Australia are now being brought into close relationship by means of the Pacific cable. The Imperial telegraph system will embrace in its circuit round the globe three great oceans. Of these, the Pacific will have its opposite shore telegraphically united in a few months. Then will remain the Indian and Atlantic Oceans to be traversed by nationalised cables. This, the crowning achievement, will cost in round figures £4,000,000, an insignificant expenditure of capital in view of the immensely important results to be attained. It would do more for the Empire as a whole than twenty times the amount spent in any other way whatever. It would set at rest the difficulty which has been caused in Australia. It would place the telegraph service of the Empire on a secure and satisfactory basis, and render alienation of the leading cables impossible. It would be a fresh tie between all the great colonies and the Mother-land of great practical utility; it would minimise transmission charges and prodigiously increase the volume of telegraphic intercourse ; it would benefit trade, vitalise the spirit of patriotism, and strengthen the sentiments which constitute the most enduring foundation on which the Empire of the future can be built up. The circumstances are such, and the benefits so many and so great, that whatever the cost, the Pan-Britannic telegraph service should as speedily as possible be carried to completion. 23. The establishment of such a service would affect the existing companies. The national telegraph encircling the globe would become the main or trunk line of communication between the great self-governing portions of the Empire. The existing private cables would to a large extent assume the position of branches to the trunk line, and as such would find employment in general and especially in international traffic. The charges for transmission by the trunk line would be lowered to a minimum so as merely to cover cost of operating, interest, and maintenance, and as a consequenc the business would be immensely increased. The companies would gain by the increase and likewise by the reduced charges on the main line, as they would thus be supplied with much profitable business for general dissemination. 24. The private cables were for the most part established with commendable enterprise many years ago. They received generous Government assistance. They have done useful pioneerwork, and this work has already yielded to the enterprising investors rich returns. The time has come, however, when circumstances demand a change. It has become a matter of public expediency that the State should control an unbroken line of telegraph established for the safety and well-being of the Empire. It is possible, therefore, that the companies may have to rest content with more moderate gains than hitherto, at least until there be a new development of business under the changed conditions. That a development of telegraph business beyond all ordinary conception will result from the establishment of the Imperial service there can be no doubt whatever. 25. In the event of a determination being reached to complete the Imperial telegraph service, before proceeding to lay a State cable across the Indian Ocean, the companies should be given the option to transfer, at a fair price, the private cable recently laid by them between Australia and South Africa, and arrangements should likewise be made to connect the Cape with the United Kingdom by a State-owned cable. These, with the Pacific cable, will complete the globe-encircling telegraph-line designed to link together transmarine homelands of the British people on the five continents. It will prove an Imperial service in every sense. It will greatly promote the commercial and industrial well-being of all the parts. It will strengthen their relationship, and enable the whole fabric the better to withstand any stress or strain which the future may bring. There is a rapidly growing desire on the part of the British people everywhere to strengthen the ties and multiply the links which unite the mother nation with the daughter States. This feeling of attachment prevails in Australia and New Zealand. It is especially marked in Canada, and the writer feels himself warranted in expressing the foregoing views on behalf of Imperialminded Canadians. Their name is legion, and they are prompted only by one spirit. Their ardent desire is to join cordially and actively in building up the Empire on an enduring basis, that it may long conthrue to confer benefits on the human race.
No. 45. The Hon. the Acting-Pbemiek to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th June, 1902. Pacific Cable : What provision necessary this year's estimates our proportion interest and expenses ?
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No. 46. The Hon. the Acting-Premier to Sir Sandford Fleming, Ottawa. g IBj Premier's Office, Wellington, 21st June, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th January last [No. 42, F.-8, 1902], enclosing copy of one addressed by you to the Hon. Mr. Mulock, PostmasterGeneral of Canada, with reference to (1) the establishing of a State-owned cable across the Atlantic, and (2) the transfer of the land-telegraphs of the Dominion to the Postal Department. I have read the letter to Mr. Mulock with much interest, and share the views you have so clearly expressed therein. Bearing in mind the many advantages which there is every reason to believe would accrue, I am strongly of opinion that the Atlantic cable should be State-owned, and the overland lines in the Dominion brought under the control of the Canadian Post Office. With these connected to the Pacific cable I feel assured that the effect would be such an objectlesson to the world that ere long the Government of every country with cable-communication would take steps to bring the cable under its management, and a service cheaper even than that contemplated by many who take some little interest in such matters would unquestionably result. I have, &c, Sir Sandford Fleming, K.C.M.G., Ottawa, Canada. J. G. Ward, Acting-Premier.
No. 47. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Acting-Pkemier. (Telegram.) London, 25th June, 1902. In answer to your telegram 20th June, Pacific cable amount, estimated for £13,500.
No. 48. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Acting-Pkemier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 25th June, 1902. Eeferring to your cablegram of the 20th instant, inquiring what provision it would be necessary to make on this year's estimates as regards New Zealand's proportion of the interest and expenses to be incurred in connection with the Pacific cable, I beg herewith to transmit copy of correspondence with the Cable Board, from which it will be seen that the amount required is £13,333 6s. Bd., and I have cabled to you to-day accordingly. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.
Enclosure 1 in No. 48. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Secretary, Pacific Cable Board. g lE> _ 13, Victoria Street, S.W., 23rd June, 1902. I am directed by the Agent-General to inform you that he has received a cablegram from the New Zealand Government inquiring what provision will be necessary on the estimates of this year (April, 1902, to March, 1903) for the colony's proportion of interest and expenses in connection with the Pacific cable, and he will therefore be greatly obliged if you would kindly cause him to be furnished with the required information as quickly as possible, in order that he may telegraph a reply to his Government. I have, &c, The Secretary, Pacific Cable Board. Walter Kennaway.
Enclosure 2 in No. 48. The Secretary, Pacific Cable Board, to the Agent-General. Sib,— Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, S.W., 24th June, 1902. In reply to Mr. Kennaway's letter of yesterday's date, inquiring as to the provision necessary on your Government's estimates of this year (1902-3) for the colony's proportion of interest and expenses in connection with the Pacific cable, I am directed by this Board to state, for the information of your Government, that the grant-in-aid voted by Parliament to defray these expenses of the Pacific Cable Board to March, 1903, is as follows : — Interest on borrowed money ... ... ... ••• ■ ■ ■ 65,000 Head office, salary and expenses ... ... •■■ 5,500 Stations, salary and expenses ... ... ... ••• •■• 26,000 Eepairing-ship, salary and expenses ... ... ... ... 11,000 Renewals (cable reserve) ... ... ... •■• ... 12,500 £120,000 The Act recites the agreed proportions of such annual expenditure as being T s ¥ for His Majesty's Government and if for the colonial Governments. The Board are not in possession of
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any documents actually defining the subdivision of such thirteen-eighteenths, but they understand —and you will no doubt yourself correct them if they are in error—that the Dominion of Canada undertakes to provide five, the Federal Government six, and the New Zealand Government two, i.e. : — £ s. d. His Majesty's Government ... ... ... ... 33,333 6 8 Dominion of Canada ... ... ... ... ... 33,333 6 8 Federal Government ... ... ... ... ... 40,000 0 0 New Zealand Government ... ... ... ... 13,333 6 8 £120,000 0 0 I trust that this information will meet your requirements. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Hugh Latham, Secretary.
No, 49. The Secretaey, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir,— Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, S.W., Bth July, 1902. I am instructed by the Pacific Cable Board to inform you that the Board are in receipt of a letter from their General Manager, Mr. Eeynolds, containing particulars of an interview between Mr. Eeynolds and yourself in reference to the capital and annual expenditure upon the cable-station now in course of erection at Doubtless Bay, and the proportion to be borne by your Government and this Board respectively. Mr. Reynolds concludes his letter in these terms :" In the original agreement the New Zealand Government was to bear half the cost of the land-lines and buildings. The revised proposal is that they should bear the cost of the land-line and pay us for operating it, and that we should bear the cost of the buildings." I am now to refer you to the terms of the above-mentioned original agreement, which consists of the memorandum of agreement drafted by Mr. Peake, the Board's Engineer, and approved by your telegram dated the 3rd July, 1901 (copies enclosed). [Enclosure in No. 34, and No. 35, F.-8, 1901.] From this it would appear that it was not intended that any portion of the cost of the land-line should fall upon this Board, and that it was specifically provided that, in the event of either parcy to that agreement defraying the entire cost of the buildings and land, the non-con-tributing party should pay rent based on half the capital cost. The Board have no information as to the reason which may have induced Mr. Eeynolds to depart from the terms of the arrangement which was concluded between Mr. Peake and yourself, but, as apparently the revised proposal seems to have been formulated under a misapprehension of the terms of the memorandum, they propose to withhold their sanction of it until they have either the opportunity of discussing the matter with Mr. Eeynolds or of considering any representations which the Government of New Zealand may be possibly addressing to them on the subject. I am, &c, Hugh Latham, Secretary. The Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G., Postmaster-General, New Zealand.
No. 50. The Secretary, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmastee-General, Wellington. Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, S.W., Bth July, 1902. Sir, — Doubtless Bay Cable-station. With reference to your letter of the 14th May addressed to the Chairman of this Board, I am instructed to state that the Board approves and sanctions the expenditure of £200 increase in the original estimate for buildings, and of £200 additional to the £600 authorised for water-supply at the Doubtless Bay Cable-station, for which expenditure Mr. Eeynolds has already given his provisional authority. I am, &c, Hugh Latham, Secretary. The Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G., Postmaster-General, Wellington.
No. 61. The Hon. the Premier (at London) to the Hon. the Acting-Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 16th July, 1902. In Conference, Sir Spencer Walpole, Pacific cable: Cost of cable £1,795,000, ship £70,000, buildings £70,000, instruments £25,000, engineers' fees £20,000—total £1,980,000; expenditure estimated for current year £80,000, renewal fund £25,000, officers' staff £22,000, up-keep ship £20,000, headquarters administration £5,000: total £152,000. In addition to this must be added profits on Canadian trade. Estimated deficit, £72,000. You will require make provision for our share of Honolulu connection. Estimated cost, £200,000. Intimated New Zealand favourable to connection. Board of Directors going to spend £3,000 for experiment Marconi Brest final decision. I am of opinion that extension of our Act will be required so as to include Honolulu connection. Had better be done.
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No. 52. The Hon. Audley Cootb, Sydney, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-General, Wellington. Sib,— Athenaeum Club, Sydney, 31st July, 1902. I have the honour to refer to a cable message than has appeared in the newspapers here, viz. : " Sir J. G. Ward stated in the House of Eepresentatives that the Pacific cable would be duplicated from New Zealand to Queensland." Permit me now to inform you that Messrs. Felten, Guilleaume, of Carlswerk, Actien, Miilheim-am-Bhein, who are the German and American Cable Company, are desirous of being able to send in tenders for the making and laying of the cable either on the basis of a cash contract or on the principle of a guarantee of interest. I shall therefore be glad if your Agent-General will have forwarded to the company the specifications and form of tender for the making and laying of the cable. I may add this company made and laid the German-American Atlantic cable last year, and are now negotiating with the German Government for a subsidy to lay a cable between Samoa and Fiji. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Audley Coote.
No. 53. The Agbnt-Geneeal to the Hon. the Acting-Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 25th August, 1902. I beg to transmit herewith copy of "The Pacific Cable (Amendment) Act, 1902," substituting the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia for the Governments of the States of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria in " The Pacific Cable Act, 1901." I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.
Enclosure in No. 53. "The Pacific ('able (Amendment) Act, 1902." Chapter 26. An Act to substitute the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia for the Governments of the States of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria in the Pacific Cable Act, 1901. [Bth August, 1902. Whebeas, as a consequence of the transfer to the Commonwealth of Australia (under the constitution of the Commonwealth) of the posts, telegraphs, and telephone departments in each of the States of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, any such obligation of the said States to provide money on account of the Pacific cable as is recited in the Pacific Cable Act, 1901, has been undertaken by the Government of the Commonwealth, and any right of the said States to share in the profits of the cable has become vested in the Commonwealth : And whereas it is expedient to make such amendments in the Pacific Cable Act, 1901, as are necessary for the purpose of substituting the Commonwealth for the said States : Be it therefore enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows : — 1. (1.) The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia shall be substituted in the Pacific Cable Act, 1901, for the Governments of the States of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, and the Colonial Governments referred to in that Act shall accordingly be the Governments of Canada, of the Commonwealth of Australia, and of New Zealand. (2.) Two members representing the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia shall be substituted as members of the Pacific Cable Board in the Schedule to the said Act for two members representing the Governments of the States of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, and the Government of the Commonwealth may appoint two members accordingly to represent them on the Board, but, until the Government of the Commonwealth appoint a member in his stead, the Honourable Henry Copeland (the surviving representative on the Board of the Governments of the States) shall be one of the members of the Board representing the Government of the Commonwealth. 2. This Act may be cited as the Pacific Cable (Amendment) Act, 1902.
No. 54. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Hon. Audley Coote, Sydney. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 27th August, 1902. I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, referring to a Press telegram about the alleged duplication of the Pacific cable from New Zealand to Queensland, and asking that Messrs. Felten, Guilleaume, of Carlswerk, Actien, Miilheim-am-Bhein, might be given an opportunity of tendering for the work. In reply, I have to inform you that an error has crept into the cable message, as the statement in the House of Bepresentatives was to the effect that the cable would be " duplexed." There is no present intention of duplicating it. I have, &c, The Hon. Audley Coote, Athenaeum Club, Sydney. W. Gray, Secretary. 3—F. 8.
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No. 55. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, Pacific Cable Board, London. General Post Office, Wellington, sth September, 1902. Sir, — Pacific Gable Station, Doubtless Bay. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth July last, advising that Mr. Eeynolds had informed your Board that the revised proposal provisionally agreed to at the interview between us was that the New Zealand Government should bear the cost of the landline and pay the Board for operating it, and that the Board should bear the cost of the buildings. There would seem to be some misunderstanding on the part of Mr. Eeynolds, as the question of your Board sharing the cost of the land-line has never been raised. The terms of the memorandum from Mr. R. E. Peake, on the Ist July, 1901, were not lost sight of; but the variation of the provision as to the New Zealand Government paying rent on half the capital cost, should the Board bear the total cost of the land and buildings, was agreed to by Mr. Eeynolds, subject to confirmation, on its being decided that the Board should work both the cable and the land-lines, and the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department pay over a sum equivalent to the salaries of the telegraphists required to operate the land-line circuits, the Board becoming responsible for the whole cost of the buildings and for fitting up the station. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. The Secretary, Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, London, S.W.
No. 56. The Hon. the Acting-Premier to the Agent-General. Premier's Office, Wellington, sth September, 1902. Sir, — Pacific Gable Station, Doubtless Bay. I have the honour to inform you that a letter addressed to the Postmaster-General has been received from the Secretary of the Pacific Cable Board with reference to a statement, as follows, in a letter from Mr. Eeynolds to the Board : "In the original agreement the New Zealand Government was to bear half the cost of the land-line and buildings. The revised proposal is that they should bear the cost of the land-line and pay us for operating it, and that we should bear the cost of the buildings." For your information, I beg to forward herewith copy of the reply to the Secretary of the Board. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Acting-Premier. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 57. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, Wellington. (Memorandum.) General Post Office, Wellington, 15th September, 1902. I have to inform you that the Secretary of the Pacific Cable Board advises that the Board approves and sanctions the expenditure of £200 increase in the original estimate for buildings at Doubtless Bay Cable-station, and of £200 additional to the £600 authorised for water-supply, for which expenditure Mr. Eeynolds has already given his provisional authority. W. Gray, Secretary. The Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, Wellington.
No. 58. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 17th September, 1902. Following from Milward, Chief Electrician : " 'Colonia' started laying. I think the whole line will be finished by end October, and probably open for traffic before middle November if staffing arrangements completed."
No. 59. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 4th October, 1902. When do you expect Southport to be working direct with Sydney ?
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No. 60. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 4th October, 1902. Following from Southport :' " Your service and newspapers are only intimation I have that direct working Southport, Sydney, is contemplated. Deputy Postmaster-General and Electrician-in-Chief will be calling on me this afternoon, and I will speak to them on matter, and wire you any information obtainable."
No. 61. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 6th October, 1902. Following from Southport: " Deputy Postmaster-General informs me he is unaware that any scheme for working direct Southport to Sydney is contemplated. At present Brisbane works two quads to Sydney, and a third wire may possibly be added at a not very distant date. This additional communication is essential before any plan for Southport, Sydney, direct working can be considered."
No. 62. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th October, 1902. Mail-agent "Ventura" reports that " Anglia" arrived Honolulu 30th September. Waiting arrival of " Colonia " expected about 10th instant. Were you aware " Colonia " intended to call at Honolulu ?
No. 63. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 14th October, 1902. Thanks for service re " Anglia" and " Colonia." I was not aware that latter intended to call at Honolulu.
No. 64. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington (at New Plymouth), to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) New Plymouth, 16th October, 1902. When do you anticipate line will be through? What news of "Colonia" and " Anglia."
No. 65. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 17th October, 1902. No news of " Colonia "or " Anglia." Do not expect cable will be through before end of month. Will keep you advised. _^_^__^_^_^^^__^_
No. 66. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd October, 1902. A Press cable this morning from Vancouver announces the laying of the Fanning Island-Fiji section. Do your advices confirm this ? Any word of "Colonia" and position Fanning IslandVancouver section ?
No. 67. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 23rd October, 1902. No truth in report as far as Fiji section is concerned. No tidings of " Anglia " or " Colonia." I will advise you when former is sighted at Suva.
No. 68. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 28th October, 1902. Following from Superintendent, Southport: " Board advises that ' Anglia ' probably reaches Suva on Thursday. Please advise Sir Joseph Ward."
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No. 69. The Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Supeeintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th October, 1902. Can you give me any idea of the probable through time between Auckland and London via Pacific ? Eather important this should be known and announced before actual opening of cable Also kindly give number and names of transmitting-stations between Auckland and London.
No. 70. The Hon. the Acting-Pbemier to the Agent-General. Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 31st October, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th April last, forwarding copy of a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors-General of Canada and Australia, and the Governor of this colony, with reference to the arrangements which should be made for traffic in case of interruption to the Pacific cable. As you are aware, a Bill was introduced into the New Zealand Parliament, and passed into law, authorising this Government to contribute its proportion (not exceeding one-ninth) of the cost of any extension or deviation of the Pacific cable approved by Parliament. I enclose two copies of the Act. I have, &c, J. G. Waed, Acting-Premier. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 71. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 31st October, 1902. Superintendent, Fiji, advises as follows : " ' Anglia ' arrived shortly after six this morning, and started to lay shore end at 8.5."
No. 72. The Supeeintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 31st October, 1902. 11 a.m., N.Z. time: Shore end landed at Suva. Now paying out to buoy. Expect to make final splice at any moment. " Anglia" reports Farming-Vancouver section completed before she left Fanning.
No. 73. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Seceetary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 31st October, 1902. Expect cable will be joined up this afternoon provided no unforeseen difficulties arise. No word received re rates, but presume will receive information directly cable through.
No. 74. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 31st October, 1902. 5.15 p.m., Fiji time : Cable through to Fanning.
No. 75. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, Ist November, 1902. Following received from Suva last night: " Fanning cable will not be handed over to us until after Mr. Peake has tested to-morrow morning "
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No. 76. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist November, 1902. The following is an extract from the Sydney Morning Herald of the 14th ultimo : — " Sydney Chamber of Commerce. —Mr. Dugald Thomson, M.P., advised the Chamber that the Postmaster-General had stated that, in view of a probable increase in the number of telegraphic messages passing from Brisbane to the southern States, on completion of the Pacific cable, the present line had been transformed into an all-copper line, and that money had just been voted for another all-copper line, the erection of which would be begun at once."
No. 77. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, Ist November, 1902. Many thanks for information. Glad to hear that second wire will be available between Southport and Sydney.
No. 78. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. . (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 2nd November, 1902. Fanning - Vancouver section working admirably. lam instructed to accept free replies from Government to congratulatory messages.
No. 79. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth November, 1902. When was Vancouver-Panning Island section actually joined up? ....
No. 80. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, sth November, 1902. VANCOUVER-Panning section final splice October 18th.
No. 81. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th November, 1902. Is your Board to have an office in London for the receipt and delivery of cable messages ?
No. B'2. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 13th November, 1902. General Manager replies: "Board will have no office in London for message business."
No. 88. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th November, 1902. In a speech by Mr. Judd at Southport on 3rd instant, on the occasion of the gathering to celebrate the completion of the Pacific cable, he stated that he had just been informed that experiments on the Panning Island-Vancouver section proved that it was possible to attain a speed of 110 letters per minute for plain English messages and 103 letters for the most difficult code. He further added that this " speed would comfortably convey 150 messages per hour working the duplex system." I am indeed pleased to hear that such excellent results have been proved practicable. But is not the estimate of 150 messages per hour somewhat too sanguine ?
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No. 84. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) ■ Doubtless Bay, 20th November, 1902. FANNING-Vancouver section : The figures certainly seem high ; but it must be remembered that the automatic will be used, therefore signals will be good, and an absolutely uniform speed maintained without the slightest pause between messages. Again, code addresses and absence of signatures help to considerably reduce length of cablegrams. I should regard 150 as the maximum. We can deal with ilO to 120 on Southport cable, where messages are considerably longer. -
No. 85. The Supeeintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 21st November, 1902. Excellent time from land-line this afternoon : Mornington to Southport, fifteen minutes ; Christchurch ditto, nine minutes ; Wellington ditto, six minutes; Auckland ditto, three minutes.
No. 86. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 23rd November, 1902. Cable will be open to public on eighth December. . . .' .
No. 87. The Secretary, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, London, S.W., 25th November, 1902. g IK Doubtless Bay Station. I am instructed by the Pacific Cable Board to acknowledge your letter of the sth September, referring to the revised proposal, provisionally agreed to by Mr. Eeynolds, as to the annual amount to be paid by the New Zealand Government to this Board in the event of the Board's assuming responsibility for the total capital expenditure and working of the cable and land-line at Mr. Eeynolds supported this proposal in the belief, due to a clerical error, that the cost of the New Zealand land-line formed part of the capital cost referred to in clause 5 of Mr. Peake's memorandum [Enclosure in No. 34, F.-8, 1901]. That this line should cease to be the exclusive property of the New Zealand Government has, as you point out in your letter, never been contemplated, and, should it be deemed expedient that it be worked under the supervision of the Pacific Cable' Board, it would seem right that the New Zealand Government should defray any expense directly incidental to such arrangement. The Board observes that by the terms of Mr. Peake's memorandum the liability of the New Zealand Government would appear to be as follows: (1) Interest on half the total capital outlay on buildings, &c, at Doubtless Bay; (2) the salaries of the staff operating the land-line; (3) half the salary of the abstract and check clerks; (4) a proportion of the cost of superintendence ; (5) half the cost of repairs and other expenses connected with the buildings. The Board, however, feels that, in view of the greater number of its employees, this arrangement would hardly be equitable to your Government, and it proposes, therefore, that the New Zealand Government should pay—(l) 6 per cent, on half the capital outlay, this sum to be deemed to include the New Zealand Government's proportion of rent, repairs, and superintendence; (2) half the cost of the abstract and check clerks; (3) the actual salaries and foreign-service allowances of the operators engaged on the land-line, or, if the New Zealand Government prefer it, a fixed sum representing the mean between the minimum and maximum of these salaries as well as the foreign-service allowances. I am to add that in making this proposal the Board has carefully considered its obligation to the various contributing Governments which it has the honour to represent. It intends that these terms should form the basis of any similar agreements that may be made with any of the other contributing Governments, and trusts, therefore, that they may meet with the approval of your own T am > &c -> The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Hugh Latham, Secretary.
No. 88. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram ) Wellington, 28th November, 1902. Postmastek-General has just decided that he will not provide an all-night service for cable traffic But considers that it will be necessary that your Board provide a continuous service should the Eastern Company do so. Am advising Mr. Browning of Postmaster-General's decision.
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No. 89. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 2nd December, 1902. Do you purpose giving continuous service for Pacific route ? If not, please give hours opening and closing your Doubtless Bay office.
No. 90. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd December, 1902. We are not giving Pacific cable all-night service. Both routes treated alike. Doubtless Bay hours will probably be 7 or 8 a.m. till midnight. If, however, you keep open continuously, Doubtless Bay will no doubt do the same.
No. 91. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Eastern Extension Company, Wakapuaka. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd December, 1902. Do you still purpose keeping open all night? If so, presume that subsidy for midnight Press attendance will cease from Monday.
No. 92. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 3rd December, 1902. We give continuous cable service from Bth instant. Hope you will do same on your wire Wakapuaka to Wellington.
No. 93. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, sth December, 1902. Transmitting stations east of Vancouver—Montreal; Hazelhill, Nova Scotia; Waterville, Ireland. This is Canadian Pacific Railway route, which presently will be the only one available.
No. 94. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth December, 1902. Now that the Minister has definitely decided not to have an all-night cable service, it has been arranged that our Wakapuaka office shall open for business at 8 a.m. instead of 8.30. I presume you will fall in with this ?
No. 95. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, sth December, 1902. Yes ; I will open at 8 a.m. pending further instructions.
No. 96. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth December, 1902. Continuous cable service: Matter has been given further consideration. As our traffic does not warrant an all-night service, the Minister regrets that he does not see his way to keep open even the Wakapuaka-Wellington wire. Our Wakapuaka office will be open at 8 a.m., from Monday next.
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No. 97. The Hon. the Postmaster-General to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th December, 1902. Have refused request Eastern Company for continuous service. New Zealand's cable business not warrant all-night attendance. Our hours for traffic both cables eight morning to midnight, from Monday.
No. 98. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Eastern Extension Company, Wakapuaka. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th December, 1902. Press telegram from Wakapuaka this morning's paper states that your company has now abandoned idea of continuous service owing to this Department not agreeing to all-night attendance. Is this correct ? My latest advices from Mr. Warren are in effect that you inaugurate a continuous service from Monday next.
No. 99. The Superintendent, Eastern Extension Company, Wakapuaka, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Wakapuaka, 6th December, 1902. Yes ; quite correct. I received advice from Mr. Warren yesterday evening, and thought it advisable to arrange for hours of duty before I communicated with you. From Bth cable will open at 7.30 a.m., New Zealand time, and remain open until 10.30 p.m. or clear. Midnight Press service as usual.
No. 100. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to Sir Sandfobd Fleming, Ottawa. g IE General Post Office, Wellington, 10th December, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of a copy of your memorandum of the 14th June last, on the subject of the Pacific cable and the telegraph service of the Empire, submitted for the information and consideration of members of the Coronation Conference. I again offer you my sincerest congratulations on the completion of the Pacific cable, and its opening for international traffic on Monday last. Your able and persistent advocacy of the scheme has been invaluable in bringing about the consummation of the undertaking. I have, &c, Sir Sandford Fleming, K.C.M.G., Ottawa. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General.
No. 101. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. g IE Premier's Office, Wellington, 10th December, 1902. Eeferring to your letter of the 25th June last, advising the amount of New Zealand's proportion of the interest and expenses to be incurred in connection with the Pacific cable, I have now the honour to inform you that the sum of £10,000 has been imprested to you through the Treasury on this account. Should the full proportion be required, arrangements will be made later on to remit the balance. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, For the Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 102. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable, Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th December, 1902. Could you supply particulars about Canadian lines — the outlets for Pacific traffic, and the interruptions, partial or complete, this winter ? Also, the number of interruptions last winter, if inconsequential, would assist to discount effect of suggestions as to unreliability Vancouver route. .... Is code time likely to be inserted ?
No. 103. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 16th December, 1902. Following from Kent, Manager, Canadian Pacific Eailways Telegraphs : " Our wires to the Pacific Coast are very rarely interrupted. The sections by whom the railway is constantly patrolled are
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equally interested maintaining communication on the telegraph-line, and any interruption is temporarily repaired by them until the regular linemen arrive. In other words, we have the bestprotected system of telegraphs in the world. During 1902 do not think we suffered an interruption the duration of which exceeded two hours."
No. 104. The Undeb-Seceetaby, Public Works Department, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Public Works Department, Wellington, 30th December, 1902. (Memorandum.) Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. In pursuance of the arrangement that the Pacific Cable Board shall pay the whole of the cost of the building, land, &c, at the above cable-station, I now send herewith, for transmission to the Board, a statement showing the amount expended by this Department on the work, and shall be glad if you will kindly take the requisite steps to recover the amount due accordingly. H. J. H. Blow, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Under-Secretary.
Enclosure in No. 104. Statement showing Amount expended by this Department in connection with the Erection of Buildings, &c, at Doubtless Bay Cable-station, together with Value of Crown Land appropriated therefor. Particulars. Amount. £ s. d. Contract payments for buildings ... ... ... .. 4,937 16 10 Pipes, &c, for water-supply ... ... ... ... 477 6 6 Wages laying pipes, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 94 1 1 Freight on pipes, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 26 J 6 9 Salary of overseer ... ... ... ... ... 106 15 0 Salary of architectural draftsman ... ... ... ... 49 0 0 Furniture ... ... ... ... ... ... 29 4 6 Travelling-expenses of officers ... ... ... ... 22 9 8 Advertising ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 18 0 Purchase of land, and transfer expenses ... ... ... 138 3 0 Value of Crown land reserved (16 acres) ... ... ... 32 0 0 £5,918 11 4 Public Works Department, Wellington, 16th December, 1902.
No. 105. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th January, 1903. Can you say what proposals have been made to get rid of the interruptions on Vancouver Island land-line? Letter which should reach you on Wednesday will explain my inquiry.
No. 106. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 10th January, 1903. Be Vancouver Island interruptions:—Bamfield replies: " Yes ; Canadian Pacific Eailway preparing to overhaul the whole line."
No. 107. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Fanning Island. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 13th January, 1903. . . . . It is gratifying to know that the cable is working so well, but the fact of such a large number of interruptions in a very short time at Vancouver Island has undoubtedly given a temporary check to the international business. If we have heard the last of these, there should be a marked spring in the volume of traffic, especially since the insertion of the code time has been arranged, always assuming that not more than an hour or an hour and a half will be taken up in transmission, as we have been led to believe would probably be the case Yours, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. D. Cuthbert, Esq., Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Fanning Island. 4—F. 8.
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No. 108. The Hon. the Postmastee-Gbnbeal, Wellington, to the Chaieman, Pacific Cable Board, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 27th January, 1903. Pacific interrupted again. Most vexatious, besides injuring route. New business only just secured suffers, and probably checked. Much obliged your advising me cause so many interruptions, and that measures already ta.ken obviate further breaks. Public need some such assurance.
No. 109. The Chaieman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmastbe-Genkral, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, Ist February, 1903. Inteebuptions due to breaks on Canadian Pacific land-lines between Vancouver City and coast. Board has urged for weeks past and is still urging Canadian Government to put their alternative line into thoroughly efficient condition, and are also negotiating with Canadian Pacific Railway for a cable to be laid, in substitution exposed part of their land-lines. A cable cannot be laid for some months; meanwhile Canadian Pacific Railway authorities assure they are sparing no expense to maintain line.
No. 110. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Supekintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth February, 1903. Abe Southport's hours the same as yours ?
No. 111. The Supebintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secbetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, sth February, 1903. Southpoet is open continuously.
No. 112. The Supeeintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 6th February, 1903. You will be pleased to hear that Canadian Pacific Railway have purchased cable for stretch between British Columbia and Alberni, thus cutting off weakest part of land-line. It will be laid by " Iris " on her arrival.
No. 118. The Secbetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Supeeintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th February, 1903. Exceedingly pleased to hear that Canadian Pacific Railway purchased cable. Regret, however, there will be such a long interval before it is laid. When is " Iris " expected to reach Vancouver?
No. 114. The Supebintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 6th February, 1903. " Ibis " will probably arrive at Vancouver in June. She proceeds to Fiji first to ship cable.
No. 115. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington, to the Secbetaey, Pacific Cable Board, London. Sic, — General Post Office, Wellington, 11th February, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th November last [No. 87], submitting revised proposals of the proportion of the liability to be borne by this Government in connection with the capital expenditure and working of the cable and land-line at Doubtless Bay. In reply, I have to say that the Government agrees to the first proposal —namely, that it pays 6 per cent, on half the capital outlay, this sum to be deemed to include the colony's proportion of
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rent, repairs, and superintendence. It is understood that the whole of the buildings will become the property of the Board on the cost being refunded this Government. I regret, however, that the second proposal that half the cost of the Abstract and Check Clerks at Doubtless Bay should be paid by the colony is not acceptable, for the reason that the Department has a separate staff of its own, who prepare the Pacific cable abstracts and accounts so far as they affect New Zealand. These accounts, with the abstracts, are sent to the Superintendent, Doubtless Bay, for verification, and for the incorporation of the figures in his accounts for the London office. The actual salaries and foreign-service allowances of the operators engaged on the land-lines will be refunded the Board; and at a later stage the alternative suggestion that a fixed sum might be determined upon as representing the mean between the minimum and the maximum salaries, as well as locality allowances, will be considered. I have, &c, J. G. Waed, Postmaster-General. The Secretary, Pacific Cable Board, London.
No. 116. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Pbime Ministeb. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 13th February, 1903. Sir, — Pacific Cable Board. I beg to transmit herewith copies of the undermentioned papers, which have just been received from the Secretary to the Pacific Cable Board, in connection with the estimated expenditure of the Board for 1903-4 : (1.) Letter of the 24th January, 1903, from the Pacific Cable Board to the Treasury. (2.) Abstract of estimates enclosed in No. 1. (3.) Memorandum attached to No. 2. (4.) Treasury letter, of the sth February, 1903, in reply. (5.) Enclosure in No. 4. (6.) Abstract of estimates for grant-in-aid of £120,000 for 1902-3. I am, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.
Enclosure 1 in No. 116. The Secretary, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Secretary to the Treasury, London. Sir, — London, 24th January, 1903. With reference to your letter of the Bth November last, I am now directed by the Pacific Cable Board to enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, a copy of the estimates which have been prepared of the receipts and expenditure of the Board for the financial year 1903-4. 1. I am to point out that the estimated receipts have been mainly based upon such returns as are' available of the traffic carried since the completion of the cable on the Bth ultimo, and that in the event of any interruption the receipts would be reduced by an amount proportionate to its duration. 2. In calculating the expenditure, allowance has been made under the head of depreciation and renewals for an amount equivalent to 5 per cent, upon the capital cost of the station buildings and cable-repairing vessel, and 10 per cent, upon the cost of the station and ship's instruments and cable-repairing machinery, in addition to the £25,000 Cable Eeserve Fund approved by their Lordships as notified in your letter of the 19th May, 1902. I am, &c, Hugh Latham, Secretary. The Secretary, His Majesty's Treasury, "Whitehall, S.W.
Enclosure 2 in No. 116. Abstract of Estimates referred to in Secretary's Letter of the 24th January. Pacific Cable, Ist April, 1903, to 31st March, 1904. Estimated Expenditure. £ s. d. First annuity payment ... ... ... ... ... 77,545 0 0 Head Office ... ... ... ... ... ... 4.400 0 0 Stations ... ... ... ... ... ... 26,300 0 0 Ship ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 19,500 0 0 Eenewals and depreciation ... ... ... ... 35,500 0 0 Eoyalty on instruments ... ... ... ... ... 400 0 0 Engineer's fees ... ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 Provident Fund ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,555 0 0 Estimated Receipts. £165,500 0 0 Through traffic on supposition that it will be maintained on the present rate—say, £1,150 a week ... £59,800 Local receipt ... ... ... ... 13,600 ■ 73,400 0 0 Probable deficit) ... ... ... ... . ...£92,100 0 0
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Assuming that the expenditure of the year ending the 31st March, 1903, amounts to £145,000 or, in other words, absorbs the total amount of the Treasury advance, £120,000, and the earnings of the cable, say, £25,000 —the contribution from the various Governments to the cable for this year will be : — & s. d. United Kingdom, T \ of £120,000 33,333 6 8 Canada, T \ of £120,000 33,333 6 8 Australia, T % of £120,000 40,000 0 0 New Zealand, T % of £120,000 13,333 6 8 £120,000 0 0
Enclosure 3 in No. 116. Memobandum attached to Estimates referred to in the Secretary's letter of the 24th January. Apparently, therefore, the Treasury may assume that they will have to supply the Board in the year ending the 31st March, 1904, with a sum of £92,100, and that towards this amount they will recover from the colonial Governments for the years 1901-2 and 1902-3 the sum of £85,666 13s. 4d., leaving a balance of £5,433 6s. Bd. Note. —These estimates are, of course, based on very inadequate information ; but, 1. The expenditure on the cable in the year 1901-2 and 1902-3 may probably be some £15,000 less than the sum stated in the above estimate ; and 2. The loss on the whole cable in the year 1903 is not likely to be greater, and may be less, than £92,100, unless some unforeseen accident should cause its interruption.
Enclosure 4 in No: 116. The Financial Seceetaey to the Tbeasuky, London, to the Secretary, Pacific Cable Board, London. Sib,— Whitehall, S.W., sth February, 1903. The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury have had before them your letter of the 24th ultimo, enclosing particulars of the estimated expenses and receipts in connection with the Pacific cable for the financial year 1903-4. Their Lordships observe that the information at present in the possession of your Board is not sufficient to enable them to estimate with certainty either the expenses or the earnings of the cable for the year in question, while the amount to be received from the contributing colonies must also be uncertain until the actual expenditure out of the current year's vote is known. In these circumstances, My Lords, while accepting your Board's estimate as the best that can be framed on existing information, think it desirable to adopt rounded figures for the purposes of the parliamentary vote, and also to allow for the possibility of a somewhat wider margin between expenditure and receipts. Accordingly, they propose to ask Parliament to provide a total grant-in-aid of £95,000 (instead of £92,100), and to estimate the colonial contributions at £85,000 (instead of £86,666 6s. Bd.), so that the net sum to be borne on the vote will be £10,000. As regards the anticipated receipt from the colonies, I am to point out that they are not under obligation to contribute the amount of interest in excess of 3 per cent, which was paid on the sum temporarily borrowed by your Board from the Bank of England pending the provision of funds under the Act. The excess interest so paid was £919 os. 7d., and, excluding that sum from the estimated expenditure in this year out of voted moneys, the maximum amount of the colonial contributions to be received next year would be £86,003. A copy of the draft sub-head of the Telegraph subsidies estimate is enclosed herewith. I am to request that, as soon as possible after the 31st March next, your Board will cause a statement to be furnished to this Department showing the approximate expenditure up to that date as provided out of earnings and out of voted moneys. On receipt of that statement My Lords will cause a communication to be addressed to the Governments of the contributing colonies apprising them of the approximate sums due from them in respect of the voted expenditure, and requesting them to take such steps as will enable their representatives in this country to pay over to the account of the vote the sums actually due as soon as the amount of the audited expenditure is known, in July or August next. In this way it should be possible to secure that the contributions will be available before the date (Ist December) at which the annuity to the National Debt Commissioners will fall due. I am, &c, The Secretary to the Pacific Cable Board, London. W. H. Fisher.
Enclosure 5 in No. ] 10. Copy of Draft Sub-head of Telegraph Subsidies Estimate (Enclosure to No. 4). For the Year ending 31st March, 1904. (Class V.) 5. Telegraph Subsidies and Pacific Cable— continued. 1903-4 1902-3. G.—Pacific cable, grant-in-aid: Grant in aid of the annual ex- & penses of the Pacific cable (" Pacific Cable Act, 1901," 1 Edw. VII., c. 31). This grant is required to defray the expenses of the Pacific Cable Board to the 31st March, 1904, so far as they cannot be met out of the earnings of the cable. These expenses are estimated approximately as follows : —
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First instalment of the fifty years' annuity required to 1903-4. 1902-3. repay with interest the sum of £2,000,000 borrowed for construction ... ... ... ... ... 77,545 Office of the Pacific Cable Board, salaries and expenses ... 4,400 Cable-stations, salaries and expenses ... ... .. 26,300 Repairing-ship, salaries and expenses ... ... ... 19,500 Eenewals and depreciation (including cable-repair and Eeserve Fund) ... ... ... ... ... 35,500 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... 4,755 Total ... ... ... ... 168,000 Deduct estimated earnings ... 73,000 95,000 120,000 Such sum as may be actually required from the vote for the expenses of the cable will, to the extent of thirteen-eighteenths thereof, be repaid by the Governments of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. A sum of £85,000, representing the estimated receipts during 1903-4 for colonial contributions in respect of the expenses met out of the vote for 1902-3, is appropriated in aid of this vote (Sub-head H).
Enclosure 6 in No. 116. Abstract op Estimates fob Geant-in-aid op £120,000 foe 1902-3. Interest on borrowed money ... ... ... .. ... £65,000 Head Office, salary and expenses ... ... ... ... 5,500 Stations, salary and expenses ... ... ... ' ... ... 26,000 Bepairing-ship, expenses ... ... ... ... ... 11,000 Eenewals (Cable Eeserve) ... ... ... ... ... 12,500 £120,000
No. 111. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Seceetaey, General PostOffice, Wellington. Pacific Cable Board, Sanctuary House, Tothill Street, Westminster, London, S.W., Sib,— 20th March, 1903. An extra cottage for a married officer is found to be required at Doubtless Bay, and the Board has approved of an expenditure of from £450 to £500 for this purpose. Mr. Hertslet has been authorised to arrange details with the Works Department for this cottage to be built on the Board's land, and I shall be much obliged if you will communicate with the Works Department on the subject in order that the necessary authority may be given, and also by your informing me if the cost will be provided by the New Zealand Government in advance, as was the case with the other buildings erected for the Board and recovered in account, or if it would be convenient that a special payment should be made. I am, &c, C. H. Eeynodds, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. General Manager.
No. 118. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Supeeintendent of Eleoteic Lines (at Auckland). (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd May, 1903. In connection with the increasing Pacific cable traffic, Auckland has again raised the point of a quadruplex with Doubtless Bay. Failing this, that number three wire should be extended between Mangonui and Doubtless Bay, so that the Auckland office might have the command of two wires to Doubtless Bay. Perhaps you will look into this
No. 119. The Superintendent of Electric Lines (at Auckland), to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 22nd May, 1903. A QUADEUPLEX set for Doubtless Bay is already arranged for, but I think I will extend the number three as well shortly
No. 120. The Hon. the Peime Minister to the Agent-General. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 29th May, 1903. Sir, — Pacific Cable. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th February last, forwarding copies of papers received from the Secretary to the Pacific Cable Board in connection with the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Board for the financial year 1903-4.
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I note that the deficiency for the year is estimated at £92,100, an amount which, I would point out, largely exceeds previous estimates, and is considered to be far in excess of what might have been expected had the undertaking been conducted throughout on something approximating a commercial basis. The Government cannot but regard the quiescence of the Board while the rival company was scouring the country for business as inimical to the interests of the Pacific cable, and is strongly of opinion that the indifference displayed has resulted in a great deal of the traffic which would otherwise have gone via Pacific being diverted to the Eastern route. It is hoped, however, that the recent action of the Board in arranging for a systematic canvass for business will show a revenue for the year ending the 31st March next much in excess of the estimate. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, For the Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 121. The Inspectob of Telegbaphs, Auckland, to the Supebintendent of Electric Lines, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, Ist June, 1903. No. 3 has now been extended from Mangontii to Doubtless Bay.
No. 122. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 3rd June, 1903. Mangonui County Council has sent me rate notice for £30. Presume Pacific Cable Board is not exempt? Please reply.
No. 123. The Sbcebtaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, Bth June, 1903. Youe Board not exempt from payment Council rates.
No. 124. The Supeeintbndent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 22nd June, 1903. Customs demand duty on piano and billiard-table landed ex "Iris," no charge being made at Norfolk. Would you kindly ascertain if Board liable ?
No. 125. The Sbceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Supeeintbndbnt, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 26th June, 1903. Youk telegram 22nd: Board is liable for duty on billiard-table and piano. Arrangement under which stores and furniture were admitted free specifies that the term " stores and furniture " is to be understood to be telegraph stores and furniture, and not supplies for the use or maintenance of officers of the Board stationed in New Zealand.
No. 126. The Officer in Charge, Telegraph Office, Dunedin, to the Sbceetaky, General Post Office Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, Ist July, 1903. Pleased to inform you that a cablegram for San Francisco via Pacific handed in here at 10.9 this morning was despatched to destination and reply received at 11.30, or 1 hour 21 minutes in all for message to be forwarded to San Francisco and delivered and reply sent here. Sixteen minutes of that time was occupied on New Zealand land-lines.
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RATES; AND ROUTES OF TELEGRAMS.
[Bead here Nos. 255-6.]
No. 127. The Hon. the Postmasteb-General, Wellington, to the Director, International Bureau of Telegraphic Administrations, Berne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 25th April, 1902. Pacific cable now open from New Zealand to Queensland vid Norfolk Island. Bates to Australia, except Tasmania : Ordinary telegrams, forty-five centimes per word; British and Colonial Government telegrams, thirty-five centimes. Bate to Tasmania : Ordinary, fifty-five centimes ; Government, forty-five centimes. Bates to Norfolk Island : Ordinary, thirty centimes ; Government, twenty centimes. Bates co Fiji : Ordinary, eighty centimes; Government, sixty centimes. New Zealand terminal rate on telegrams to and from Australian Commonwealth, including Tasmania, five centimes per word. Terminal rates, telegrams to and from Norfolk Island and Fiji, ten centimes. International telegrams also accepted and transmitted at existing rates.
No. 128. The Secbetabst, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Pacific Cable Board (London), Suva. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th May, 1902. You probably have heard that outcome negotiations between Commonwealth and Extension Company gives Queensland and Victoria, from Ist proximo, same international rate as New South Wales, South and West Australia, uniform three shillings a word. Press telegram dated Melbourne 15th states this advisedly not done under signed agreement, so that old rates may be reverted to in event Extension Company and Pacific Cable Board failing to come to terms re fair competition. If Commonwealth unable arrange satisfactory agreement with Extension Company question of rates may be reopened. The message also states that Pacific Board will make proposals to Extension Company to avoid war of rates, most important being pooling receipts over certain lines. My object in telegraphing is to learn whether, so far as you know, New Zealand international rate likely to be affected.
[Bead here No. 7.] No. 129. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington, to the Director, International Bureau of Telegraphic Administrations, Berne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 30th June, 1902. We advise rate for British Government messages to or from Europe vid Pacific cable two shillings and threepence per word.
No. 130. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmastee-General, Wellington. The Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anue's Gate, Sir,— London, S.W., 6th August, 1902. In view of the early opening of the Pacific cable to Europe, kc, it is necessary to consider the tariff arrangements in the event of breakdown either of the cable between Norfolk Island and Southport or of the cable between Norfolk Island and Doubtless Bay, New Zealand. In the former case all outward traffic from Australia would have to be diverted vid Doubtless Bay, the New Zealand land-lines, and the Extension Company's cable to Sydney. In the latter case the outward traffic for New Zealand would have to be diverted vid Southport, the Australian land-lines, and the Extension Company's cable from Sydney to Nelson. The homeward traffic would follow the same routes in an opposite direction. Under the existing tariffs ordinary Australian international traffic would, with the diversion, suffer an increased charge of fourpence per word, being the New Zealand transit rate of Id. and the Extension Cable Company's rate of 3d. Ordinary New Zealand traffic would suffer similarly an increased charge of Bd. per word, being the Australian transit rate of sd. and the Extension Company's charge of 3d. There can be no doubt that the imposition of these extra charges would have the effect of driving all the traffic to the Eastern Extension route, and the Pacific cable route would lose the whole of the traffic with the country for which the extra charge was imposed, to the detriment of the contributing Governments to the Pacific cable.
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It is evident therefore that some arrangement of the tariffs is necessary which will insure the rate between Europe and Australasia remaining constant, notwithstanding that one or the other of the cables east and west of Norfolk Island should be broken down. . A rupture of both cables simultaneously would, of course, mean a total interruption of the Pacific cable, and the traffic would necessarily be diverted. To meet the case of the partial interruption described in paragraph 1 above, it would be necessary that the Pacific cable and the Colonial Governments interested should be prepared to give up a portion of their usual rates to prevent the tariff being raised to the public. I should be glad to have the views of your Government on this point, and I would remark that the most convenient arrangement would appear to be that the Pacific Cable Board should bear the Extension Company's charges of 3d. and that the Federal and New Zealand Governments should carry the diverted traffic free between the terminus of the Pacific and the Extension Company's cables. With such an arrangement, in the case of the Australian traffic being diverted vid New Zealand, the Pacific cable would be debited with 3d. per word for the Extension Company's transit, and New Zealand would carry the traffic free between Doubtless Bay and Nelson. In the case of New Zealand traffic having to be diverted via Australia, the Pacific cable would again be debited with 3d. for the Extension Company, and the Australian Government would carry the traffic free between Southport and Sydney (La Perouse). In each case the Pacific cable would lose 3d., while Australia and New Zealand would each render to the other a free service over their land-lines during the short periods that the cables would be interrupted. ****** I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. S. Walpole, Chairman.
No. 131. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Accountant, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, Bth October, 1902. we treat Norfolk and Suva as international, and credit you penny per word
No. 132. The Accountant, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 9th October, 1902. Decision arrived at when tariff was fixed that New Zealand terminal rate on Press messages to Norfolk Island or Fiji should be same as to Australia—viz., 6d. per 100 words
No. 133. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th October, 1902. When may we expect particulars of rates for international messages vid Pacific, including, of course, rates for North, Central, and South America.
No. 134. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 24th October, 1902. Have not heard about rates. Probably cable will not be open for traffic until some time after completion. I have no doubt the rates will be cabled as soon as we are through to Vancouver.
No. 135. The Hon. the Postmaster - General, Wellington, to the Chairman, Pacific Cable Board London. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 27th October, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th August last, proposing, in view of the early opening of the Pacific cable, that, in the event of a breakdown either of the section of the cable between Norfolk Island and Southport or between Norfolk Island and Doubtless Bay, the additional overland charges which would in ordinary course be incurred for the diverted traffic on the Australian and New Zealand lines respectively should be waived, the extra charge for transmission over the La Perouse-Wakapuaka cable in either case to be borne by the Pacific Cable Board. In reply, I have to inform you that the arrangement proposed is one which I shall have pleasure in supporting. If the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia will consent to the free transmission between Southport and La Perouse of diverted traffic, and your Board
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bears the charge over the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company's cable, I shall be prepared to agree to free transmission over our lines whenever necessary to maintain the connection vid Pacific. I would mention that the Commonwealth charges a uniform intercolonial transit rate of Id. per word for New Zealand cablegrams. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London.
No. 136. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 27th October, 1902. I have the honour to forward herewith copy of the reply of the PostmasterGeneral to the letter from the Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, with reference to the charges for diverted traffic when the Pacific cable is wholly opened. As you will see, the Minister has agreed to waive the charge for transmission of diverted traffic to and from Australia over our lines in the event of a breakdown of the Norfolk Island - Southport section of the cable; and I shall be glad to learn whether our messages for transmission vid Pacific will be forwarded free between Southport and Sydney, and vice versa, should the Norfolk Island - Doubtless Bay section be interrupted, the Pacific Cable Board in either case bearing the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company's cable charge. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne.
No. 137. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. (Telegram.) London, sth November, 1902. Pacific Cable Board decided to-day fix Australasian uniform rate three shillings. Urged special low rate New Zealand, taking into consideration the low terminal charges. Board objected on ground that there is serious danger of war rates with Eastern Company, but represented New Zealand could raise terminal charges.
No. 138. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, Bth November, 1902. Date of opening Pacific cable cannot yet be fixed. Possibly early December. Through rates ordinary messages, including New Zealand, Norfolk Island, or Fiji to Fanning, two shillings ; to Canada two shillings and fourpence ;to Great Britain three shillings. Continent of Europe and United States rates not yet arranged. Former will probably exceed three shillings. British and Colonial Government rates and Press will be wired later.
No. 139. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th November, 1902. Mr. Reynolds service re rates : Is there to be a uniform two and fourpence for British North America ?
No. 140. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 13th November, 1902. Pacific cable and your telegram sth : Unable raise terminal rate as suggested. Would be higher than for Eastern traffic. Eate should be uniform both routes. If raised against Eastern, would give company ground complain their traffic penalised. Terminal rate to remain at Id., we paying over to Board 2s. lid., but Board credit us with 4d. when claiming proportion annual loss working cable. Board would receive 2s. 7d. net, same as for Australian traffic. Assume Commonwealth would not give up any portion of its 5d., which relatively too high. But Board apparently satisfied with 2s. 7d. for cable and out payments. 5—F. 8.
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No. 141. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 15th November, 1902. S IRi Pacific Cable. I beg to transmit herewith copy of correspondence relating to the question of the proposed rates between Europe and intermediate stations to Australasia (including New Zealand), by which it will be seen how the matter at present stands. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Reeves.
Enclosure in No. 141. Pacific Gable : Proposed Rates fbom Europe and Intermediate Stations to Australasia. These rates have been fixed on the assumption that the rates vid the Eastern to Australia are and will continue to be 3s. for each word for ordinary messages. Each ordinary message sent by the Pacific will be subject to the payment of Is. per word for transmission to Vancouver, and either sd. per word terminal charge in Australia (which will carry the message to any part of Australia or Tasmania) or Id. per word terminal charge New Zealand. On a message, therefore, from Europe to Australia the Board will retain Is. 7d. (or 3s. - Is. 5d.) for each word in such message. The New Zealand Government has already announced that, on the completion of the Pacific cable, the through rates to and from Europe by the cable will be 3s. per word (Annual Eeport, Post and Telegraph Department for 1901, page 7). It appears, therefore, to be generally understood that, on the completion of the Pacific cable, the rate from Europe to Australia will be 3s. per word (the present Eastern rate), and that the rate from Europe to New Zealand will be similarly 3s. per word (against the present rate of 3s. 4d. vid the Eastern). It is proposed to apply the same rate to all parts of Australasia connected with the cable— i.e., to Norfolk Island and Fiji —colonies which it must be recollected have borne no share of the cost of the cable and who are deriving a direct benefit from the expenditure upon the cable by the contributing Governments. As Suva (Fiji) is not further, say, from Southport than Southport is from Perth (Western Australia), there seems no reason why Fiji should not be put on the same terms as other parts of Australasia. It is further proposed to fix the rate between Fanning Island and Europe at 2s. 6d. per word, and that between Fanning Island and North America or Australia at 2s. per word. It is not likely there will be much traffic either to or from Fanning Island. The traffic will be chiefly or wholly confined to messages or notices from or about passing vessels sent to Lloyd's or elsewhere. It is not possible to fix the rates between the American Continent and Australasia until we learn from the Canadian Government the terminal charge which they propose to fix for delivery in Canada. But it is proposed that the rate should be 2s. (for the cable and the terminal charge in Australia), plus the terminal charge in Canada whatever it may be. Government messages to Australasia will be charged half the ordinary rate so far as the cable is concerned, and the terminal charge in force in Australia and the cost of conveyance to Vancouver. This at present will be :— Ordinary. Government. s. a. s. a. Transmission to Vancouver ... ... ... 10 08 Cable 17 0 9| Australian terminal charge ... ... ... 05 04 3 0 1 9J Press messages will be charged, so far as the cable is concerned, at about one-third the rate of ordinary messages, or, say, 6£d. per word. 22nd October, 1902. . S. Walpole.
No. 142. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 26th November, 1902. Just received following: " Inform Government that Canadian rates include all British North America."
No. 143. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 26th January, 1903. S I B j Eastern Telegraph Company's Reduced Bates for Government Messages. I beg to enclose, for the Hon. the Minister's information, copy of a letter I have received from the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company announcing that from the 20th instant the tariff for Government messages to and from New Zealand will be Is. 7£d. The letter also gives the reduced rates to and from Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Norfolk Island. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.
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Enclosure in No. 143. The General Manager, Eastern Extension Company, London, to the Agent-Genebal. The Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sir, — Electra House, Moorgate, E.C., 20th January, 1903. You are doubtless aware that, by the terms of the landing licenses granted to the Eastern Extension Company for the Cape-Australian cable, the existing tariff for Government telegrams of 2s. per word has to be reduced to Is. 7-J-d. per word as soon as the through Cape route is established. Owing, however, to the South African war, the land-line to be worked by the Eastern Company between Cape Town and Durban has not yet been placed at that company's disposal, and it may be some little time before it is available. Desiring, however, to meet the wishes of the Governments interested as far as possible, the Eastern and Eastern Extension Companies, in concert with the associated Administrations, have decided to anticipate the opening of the through Cape route by at once giving the reduction. Consequently, I have the honour to inform you that from this date the tariff of Is. 7-J-d. per word will be charged for the transmission of Government telegrams to and from Australia and New Zealand. For New Caledonia the rate will be reduced from 2s. Bd. to 2s. 3^d.; for Fiji the rate will be reduced from 2s. sd. to 2s. ; for Norfolk Island the rate will be reduced from 2s. Id. to Is. BJd. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. F. E. Hesse, General Manager.
No. 144. The Seceetahy, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager, Canadian Pacific Eailway Telegraphs, Montreal. Sm,— General Post Office, Wellington, 10th February, 1903. I have the honour to ask that you will be so kind as to favour me with a copy of the telegraph map showing what course telegrams transferred to your system from the Pacific cable take across Canada, and also from Bamfield across the Island of Vancouver and to Vancouver City. I should also be obliged if the route of the proposed new cable from Bamfield to Alberta could be marked on the map, as well as the line which the cable is proposed to supersede. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary James Kent, Esq., Manager, Canadian Pacific Eailway Telegraphs, Montreal.
No. 145. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th February, 1903. Pacific terminal rate and your letter of sth December : If not interfering with your negotiations, propose raise terminal rate international business same as Commonwealth's—fivepence ordinary, fourpence Government. As this made friendly spirit temporary purposes, do not intend raise rate against Eastern Extension Company.
No. 146. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. (Telegram.) London, 17th February, 1903. Pacific terminal rate : Your suggestion has been adopted. Suspend action for a few days. Will telegraph on this subject early next week.
No. 147. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. Premier's Office, Wellington, 18th February, 1903. g I j l) Pacific Gable. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th November last, transmitting copy of correspondence relating to the question of the proposed rates from Europe and intermediate stations to Australasia (including New Zealand). I have, &c, W. C. Walker, For the Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 148. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. (Telegram.) London, 24th February, 1903. Pacific terminal rate : Suspending action for two weeks, as Chairman will make proposal next meeting of Board which he thinks will meet the case in point.
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No. 149. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peime Minister. (Telegram.) London, 3rd March, 1903. At meeting of Board Chairman proposed that difference between terminal and average internal urgent rates should be pooled, being a difference threepence in case of Australian Colonies, nil elsewhere. Australian Colonies' representative strongly objected proposed arrangement. He was agreed as to communicating proposal to Governments concerned. Chairman expressed hope that pending decision New Zealand would not raise terminal. Declined to give him assurance required, although I am of opinion that fair towards Canadian Dominion and United Kingdom had better await reply of Australian States. Should be glad to know what is your opinion proposed arrangement. In practice Australian States profit by Pacific business. Estimate amount £5,400 should, be divided between Governments concerned. New Zealand's share £600. On the other hand, New Zealand would gain estimated amount £2,700 by increase of terminal fivepence.
No. 150. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peime Ministeb. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 6th March, 1903. Eeferring to the cablegrams which have recently passed between us relating to the subject of terminal rates in connection with the Pacific cable, I beg to transmit herewith copy of confidential memorandum [not printed] by the Chairman of the Cable Board, making a proposal with respect to the question which has arisen regarding the excess terminal rate. When this proposal came before the Board the Australian representative, Mr. Copeland, read a memorandum opposing it As, however, the Board was prepared to refer the matter to the Governments concerned for their consideration, any discussion was postponed. I am, however, inclined to think, judging from the tone of Mr. Copeland's remarks, that we may anticipate a decided refusal from the Australian States as regards adopting the Chairman's proposal. If that proves to be the case, it will then be for the Government to decide whether New Zealand should not increase her terminal rate. As indicated in my cablegram of the 3rd instant, the consequent pecuniary gain to New Zealand would be greater than if you adopted the pooling arrangement proposed by the Chairman ; on the other hand, such an arrangement would be fairer and more friendly to this country and Canada. As, however, your grasp of details connected with this matter is complete, I need scarcely add more to what I have said on the subject in this and previous communications. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.
No. 151. The Vice-Pbesident and Geneeal Manages, Postal Telegraph Cable Company, New York, to the Secbetabt, General Post Office, Wellington. Postal Telegraph Cable Company, Office of the Vice-President and General Manager Sik,— New York, 10th March, 1903. In response to your request of the 30th January [not printed], we take pleasure in sending you, under separate cover, maps showing the routes of this company's lines and connections in the United States and British North America. Yours, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. W. H. Bakee, Vice-President and General Manager.
No. 152. The Hon. the Peime Ministeb to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th March, 1903. Be Pacific cable terminal rates : New Zealand does not at present give way. Consider action to be governed by replies from Commonwealth and letter received by last mail from yourself. Would ask that our terminal rates should be raised to £2,000 per annum—that is, assuming the Commonwealth rates remain at fivepence.
~: :-.■■■■ :..;. No. 153. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peime Ministee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 17th March, 1903. Eeferring to my letter of the 6th instant, and to your cablegram of the 11th instant, I beg to transmit herewith copy of letter which was addressed to the Pacific Cable Board, and copy of the Board's reply thereto. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.
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Enclosure 1 in No. 153. The Secretary to the Agent-Genekal to the General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., S IX) __ 12th March, 1903. I am directed by the Agent-General to request you to inform your Board that he has received a cablegram from his Government stating, in reference to the question of the terminal rates, that they are not 'prepared at the present time to depart from their proposal to raise the terminal rate to that which has been adopted by the Commonwealth of Australia. The Agent - General understands, however, that when farther considering the matter his Government's action will be influenced by the reply which the Government of [the Commonwealth may give as regards the proposal made by your Chairman, which at the last meeting of your Board it was decided to submit to the contracting Governments. The Agent-General further understands that, in the case of the Commonwealth's rate of sd. being maintained, his Government consider that either New Zealand's terminal rate should be increased to the same amount or that the amount to be credited to the colony should be not less than £2,000 per annum. I am, &c, Walteb Kennaway. C. H. Reynolds, Esq., General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, Sanctuary House, Tothill Street, S.W.
Enclosure 2 in No. 153. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, to the Secretary to the Agent-General. Pacific Cable Board, Sanctuary House, Tothill Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 14th March, 1903. I have submitted your letter of the 12th March to the Chairman of the Pacific Cable Board, and he desires me to state, for the information of the Agent-General, that, while noting that the proposal to raise the terminal rate of New Zealand is reserved, he understands that the question of the adjustment of the terminal charges on Pacific cable traffic will be further considered by the New Zealand Government on receipt of the memorandum by the Chairman on the subject which it was decided to submit to all the contracting Governments. I am, &c, C. H. Reynolds, General Manager. Walter Kennaway, Esq., Office of the Government of New Zealand.
No. 154. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 18th March, 1903. Agent - General, in advising that Eastern Company had reduced British Government rate between Great Britain and Australia and New Zealand to Is. also notifies following reduction in Government rate: To New Caledonia, from 2s. Bd. to 2s. 3£d. ; Fiji, 2s. sd. to 2s. o£d. ; Norfolk Island, 2s. Id. to Is. B|d.
No. 155. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 18th March, 1903. Pacific Government rates, United Kingdom to Australia, Is. 7Jd. ; United Kingdom to New Zealand, Is. 6Jd.; United Kingdom to New Caledonia, 2s. 3Jd,; United Kingdom to Fiji, Is. 6d.; United Kingdom to Norfolk, Is. 6d.
No. 156. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. Sir,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 20th March, 1903. ' ' I have'the , honour to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of the 26th January last, enclosing copy of a letter received by you from the Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), announcing that from the 20th idem the tariff for Government messages to and from New Zealand would be Is. 7Jd. per word; also advising the reduced rates to and from Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Norfolk Island. I have, &c, W. C. Walker, For the Premier, The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
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No. 157. The Manager, Telegraph Department, Canadian Pacific Railway, Montreal, to the Secbetary, General Post Office, Wellington. Canadian Pacific Railway Company (Telegraph Department), Sir,— 4, Hospital Street, Montreal, 20th March, 1903. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 10th February, and take pleasure in forwarding you by express a map of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. On this map I have had traced in red the route followed by Pacific cablegrams. The new cable will follow the line from Bamfield, 8.C., to Alberni (not Alberta) You will please note that this route follows the line of railway throughout its whole course, with the exception of a short piece between Bamfield and Nanaimo and between Heatherton and Canso. Trusting the map sent you will meet your requirements. Yours, &c, Jas. Kent, Manager of Telegraphs. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 158. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Vice-President and General Manager, Postal Telegraph Cable Company, New York. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 24th April, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th March, and to thank you for the copies of the maps, showing the routes of your company's lines and connections in the United States and British North America, which you were good enough to send therewith. The Vice-President and General Manager, I have, &c, Postal Telegraph Cable Company, New York. W. Gbay, Secretary.
No. 159. The General Manages, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Pacific Cable Board, Sanctuary House, Tothill Street, Westminster, Sir,— London, Ist May, 1903. I enclose, for the information of your Department, two supplementary lists of tariffs [not printed] by the Pacific cable to West Indies, Central and South America, vid New York and Hayti; and to Central America vid Galveston. I have only recently received these tariffs from the Canadian Pacific Railway, and I hope that they will nearly, if not quite, complete the tariffs for the whole of America by the Pacific route, as published in the Postal Guides. I am, &c, C. H. Reynolds, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. General Manager.
No. 160. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 12th May, 1903. Rate for British and Colonial Government messages between New Zealand and Commonwealth threepence per word vid Extension, same as vid Pacific, Company taking penny halfpenny.
No. 161. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager, Telegraph Department) Canadian Pacific Railway Company, Montreal. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 30th May, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th March last, and to thank you for the copy which you were good enough to send therewith, of the map of your company's line, on which is traced in red the course taken across Canada by telegrams transferred to your system from the Pacific cable. I have, &c, The Manager, Telegraph Department, W. Gray, Secretary. Canadian Pacific Railway Company, 4, Hospital Street, Montreal.
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No. 162. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th June, 1903. Any decision Pacific terminal rate? If not, probably raise to fivepence, Government fourpence— same as Australia. Am not averse to proposals Chairman Board. Wrote last Frisco mail.
No. 163. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. Pacific Cable. Sir,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 9th June, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th January last [No. 289] with reference to the insertion of code time in cablegrams, and the Australian and New Zealand terminal rates. As you are now aware, the matter of the code time has been satisfactorily arranged. On the 16th February I advised you by cable that it was proposed, provided this did not interfere with your negotiations, to raise the New Zealand terminal rate on telegrams vid Pacific as a temporary measure, to which advice I received a reply asking that action be deferred for a few days, and & later telegram mentioned two weeks as the period. As no arrangement appears to have been come to in the matter, my Government will probably give notice to the Board, unless a definite decision is arrived at within a fortnight, that the New Zealand terminal rates on international traffic via the Pacific will be raised to fivepence ordinary, and fourpence Government —the same as the rates levied by Australia. I am nol unfavourable to the Board's proposals for dealing with the matter as set out in the confidential memorandum of the Chairman dated the 26th February, copy of which you sent me under cover of your letter on the 6th March. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New For the Prime Minister. Zealand, London.
CONGRATULATIONS.
No. 164. His Excellency the Deputy Governor, Wellington, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st October, 1902. New Zealand offers hearty congratulations to England on completion of the Pacific cable, thus bringing her dominions over seas into closer contact, to our mutual benefit, and forging a further strong link in the bond of unity of Empire.
No. 165. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Commonwealth of Australia (at Sydney), to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 31st October, 1902. Congratulations from Australia to her sister New Zealand. May their common interests in this now completed project lead to a better knowledge of each other and a nearer approach to community of aims and interests !
No. 166. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Commonwealth of Australia (at Sydney). (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st October, 1902. New Zealand heartily reciprocates congratulations from Commonwealth Australia on completion great national work laying Pacific cable, and confidently believes that kind wishes expressed for better knowledge of each other and community of interests will be verified. Our fervent desire is to have side by side with prosperous New Zealand a happy and prosperous Australia.
No. 167. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st October, 1902. New Zealand extends hearty congratulations to Canada on completion Pacific cable, thus forging another strong link in chain of communication throughout our great Empire and bringing the dominions over the seas into closer contact, which we believe will be to our mutual benefit.
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No. 168. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to Sir Sandford Fleming, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st October, 1902. Delighted congratulate you on completion great work Pacific cable, thus rewarding your interest and labour by forging further link to advantage of our Empire.
No. 169. The Hon. the Postmaster - General, Wellington, to the Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, London. (Telegram,) Wellington, 31st October, 1902. Pacific cable completed. I send you one of the first messages from New Zealand to convey my heartiest congratulations consummation great Imperial work of far-reaching and lasting benefit to Britons and Britons beyond the sea. [Also sent to Lord Eanfurly, Hobart; the Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London; the AgentGeneral for New Zealand, London ; the Hon. Sir William Mulock, Postmaster-General, Ottawa ; Sir Sandford Fleming, Ottawa.]
No. 170. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Eight Hon. Austen Chamberlain, Postmaster-General, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st October, 1902. My heartiest congratulations on completion Pacific cable, a great Imperial work, the value of which to our countries cannot be overestimated. [Also sent to Mr. J. Henniker Heaton, M.P., London; Lord Tennyson, Acting GovernorGeneral, Melbourne; Eight Hon. E. Barton, Melbourne; the Hon. E. Philp, Premier, Brisbane; the Hon. the Premier, Melbourne ; the Hon. Sir J. See, Premier, Sydney; the Hon. J. G. Drake, Postmaster-General, Commonwealth, at Brisbane; the Presidents, Chambers of Commerce, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.]
No. 171. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 31st October, 1902. Hearty congratulations on the happy completion of the Pacific cable, and the addition of another link of Empire, which must serve to bind more closely the component parts of a great people whose aims and interests are so closely identified.
No. 172. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st October, 1902. Sincere congratulations on completion Pacific cable. [Also sent to the Deputy Postmasters-General, Brisbane, Melbourne, Ottawa, and Sydney.]..
No. 173. His Excellency the Acting Governor-General, Melbourne, to His Excellency the Deputy Governor, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, Ist November, 1902. I congratulate you on the completion of alternative cable system to a sister colony with which our relations are so close and intimate.
No. 174. His Excellency the Deputy Governor, Wellington, to His Excellency the Acting GovernorGeneral, Melbourne, (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist November, 1902. I join in your congratulations on the completion of cable. May it, in addition to its commercial advantages, further bind together in sentiment and feeling all English-speaking people !
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No 175. The Acting Governor-General, Commonwealth of Australia, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, (Telegram.) Melbourne, Ist November, 1902. Heartily reciprocate your kind congratulations.
No. 176. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the Mayor, Victoria, B.C. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist November, 1902. Accept fond greetings. We have longed for the sisterly embrace. The crimson thread of kinship, cemented by the tie completed yesterday, forms indissoluble union.
No. 177. The Hon. the Premier, Brisbane, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Brisbane, Ist November, 1902. Cordially reciprocate your sentiments on completion Pacific cable.
No. 178. The Hon. the Premier, Sydney, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, Ist November, 1902. On behalf of the people of this State I reciprocate your congratulations on the completion of the Pacific cable. This great Imperial work will not only be valuable to New Zealand and New South Wales, but a benefit to the English-speaking people at large.
No. 179. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, Ist November, 1902. Canada fully reciprocates the sentiments conveyed in your message over the now completed Pacific cable, with the sincere hope that this step may soon be followed by others still more important on the same line.
No. 180. The Mayor, Victoria, 8.C., to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Victoria, 8.C., Ist November, 1902. Join we our hands. Good cheer : the sea divides no more.
No. 181. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Mr. F. E. Lucas, Suva. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist November, 1902. My hearty congratulations on the completion Pacific cable and of your arduous and highly successful operations.
No. 182. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 2nd November, 1902. On behalf of my Board am happy to communicate to you the successful completion of the Pacific cable. I trust that it may tend to promote the prosperity of New Zealand and draw it still closer to the Mother-country.
No. 183. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the Hon. the Premier, Brisbane. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd November, 1902. Congratulate Queensland as one joined with us in Pacific cable contract. Feel assured you must be pleased at the successful results. Connection now made will be in best interests of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Mother-country. The tie of kindred is now supplemented by the red line of communication, which should be in best interests of the Empire and dominions over seas. [Telegrams of same text sent to the Hons. the Premiers, Melbourne and Sydney, on the same date.]
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No. 184. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd November, 1902. New Zealand heartily reciprocates, and feels assured that the closer brought together the better it will be for the United Kingdom and the over-sea dominions. Link just completed will decidedly be improvement on previously existing conditions.
No. 185. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 2nd November, 1902. Congratulations from Canada to New Zealand on completion of Pacific cable. _ May it be the means of greatly increasing trade between the self-governing colonies, and promotive of the unity of the world-empire to which we belong !
No. 186. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd November, 1902. Congratulations heartily reciprocated. New Zealand sent its greetings to Canada through its Premier. Followed up by steam communication I feel assured trade between Canada and New Zealand will be improved. Pity connection once formed was ever severed. Link now made will, I hope, insure reunion.
No. 187. Sir Sandford Fleming, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 2nd November, 1902. Hearty congratulations reciprocated on completion first segment globe-girdling cable under State control, initiating new era of freest intercourse will all our people, and cheap telegraphy.
No. 188. Sir Sandford Fleming, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 2nd November, 1902. Very hearty greetings to Lady Ward and yourself on completion of Pacific cable. See message to Premier.
No. 189. The Secretary of State for the Colonies, London, to His Excellency the Deputy Governor, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 3rd November, 1902. His Majesty's Government send cordial congratulations to your Government on the completion of the Pacific cable, and the new facilities to enter Imperial communications which it will afford. They feel confident that the spirit of co-operation between the Mother-country and the colonies, which initiates from enterprise, will gather additional strength from its successful accomplishment.
No. 190. The Hon. the Premier, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Dear Sir Joseph Ward, — Premier's Office, Melbourne, 3rd November, 1902. I was out of town when your telegram of the 31st ultimo was received here, but I beg now to thank you very sincerely for your congratulations upon the completion of the Pacific cable, which I cordially reciprocate, believing with you that the cable is an acquisition of the greatest value and importance to His Majesty's dominions in these seas. Yours, &c, The Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G., Wellington. Wμ. H. Irvine.
No. 191. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 3rd November, 1902. Heartily reciprocate your congratulations on completion of Pacific cable, and trust it may serve to promote still closer union between His Majesty's dominions.
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No. 192. The Hon. the Postmaster - General, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Postmaster - General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 3rd November, 1902. Eejoice with you in completion of Pacific cable, an important link of Empire; and trust the red line may continually be extended. It connects the Motiler country with all parts of her dominions beyond the sea.
No. 193. The Hon. the Premier, Brisbane, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Brisbane, 4th November, 1902. Mutual congratulations on successful completion of Pacific cable. I feel sure the connection will result in great permanent benefit to all contracting parties.
No. 194. The Hon. the Premier, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 4th November, 1902. Heartily reciprocate congratulations.
No. 195. The Hon. the Premier, Sydney, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 4th November, 1902. Thanks for congratulations on completion Pacific cable. Much gratified at successful result and connection made, and join with you that best interests of Commonwealth, colonies, and Mother country have been greatly augmented by all-red line, which will promote strong kinship throughout Empire.
No. 196. Sir Sandpord Fleming, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 4th November, 1902. Congratulations heartily reciprocated. You will be pleased to learn that Mulock, in published cablegram to Chamberlain, comes out distinctly in favour of State-owned cables within the Empire. Two messages sent same time by me to go round the world in opposite directions, Ottawa to Ottawa, made the circuit successfully—one, sent easterly, in ten hours ; the other, despatched westerly, in fourteen hours. Not bad for the first pioneer messages to encircle the globe.
No. 197. The President, Chamber of Commerce, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 4th November, 1902. Melbourne Chamber of Commerce reciprocates heartiest congratulations over Pacific cable.
No. 198. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 4th November, 1902. Heartily reciprocate congratulations completion of Pacific cable.
No. 199. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster - General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, sth November, 1902. I thank you for your congratulations, and I trust with you that the Pacific cable may produce far-reaching and lasting benefits to the trade and happiness of the citizens of this great Empire both in New Zealand and at Home.
No. 200. Mr. J. Henniker Heaton, M.P., London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 20th November, 1902. General satisfaction Press people Pacific cable. Believed Barton Chamberlain completing mantle unity Empire penny postage.
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No. 201. The Hon. the Postmasteb-General, Wellington, to Mr. J. Henniker Heaton, M.P., London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th November, 1902. Gratified know satisfaction Press people Pacific cable. Sincerely hope news possibility of Chamberlain and Barton completing penny postage may be consummated.
No. 202. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. (Telegram.) London, 10th December, 1902. As one of those who have worked for consummation of Pacific Ocean telegraph cables, heartily reciprocate congratulations [not printed] on opening of line.
No. 203. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, London, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 10th December, 1902. Many thanks for your telegram respecting opening of Pacific cable.
No. 204. The Hon. the Postmaster-Geneeal, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 11th December, 1902. I have to thank you for your telegram of eighth [not printed]. I fully concur in the views and sentiments expressed therein, and regret that my absence in Northern Queensland has prevented an earlier reply.
No. 205. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Postmaster-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 14th December, 1902. Heartiest congratulations on opening of Pacific cable for business. Trust your anticipations of financial success of enterprise may be realised, but, owing to action of New South Wales, fear there is much room for doubt on this point.
No. 206. Sir Sandford Fleming, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, Ist January, 1903. Premier, Press, and people of New Zealand: On anniversary formal execution of Pacific cable contract, unique partnership six British Governments, am enabled as one result to transmit from Canada for the first time by wire respectful and cordial New Year's greetings.
CANVASSING. No. 207. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 22nd September, 1902. I notice outward traffic decreasing. Can you assign reason ?
No. 208. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd September, 1902. Yes : Eastern Company has now an agent in South Island canvassing for business, and I understand he has been very successful in inducing merchants and others to divert messages to Eastern lines. Matter already brought under notice of Postmaster-General, who is cabling to Agent-General to place matter before Pacific Cable Board, with request to be informed whether any action is to be taken to prevent loss owing to methods adopted by Eastern Company.
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No. 209. The Hon. the Acting-Pbemieb to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd September, 1902. Peincipal officer Eastern Extension Company touting for business Ohristchurch, Dunedin. Already several firms withdrawn business from Pacific cable, and others likely follow. Cable Board should immediately take steps to check, otherwise will have to face further loss traffic. Cable what Board does.
No. 210. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Acting-Pbemier. (Telegram.) London, 24th September, 1902. Eefekming to your telegram of 22nd September, Chairman Pacific Cable Board requests me ask what you would suggest Board to do.
[Bead here No. 255.]
No. 211. The Hon. the Peime Ministee to the Agent-Geneeal. ' Sic,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 26th November, 1902. I have the honour to confirm my cablegram of the 22nd September on the subject of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company's representative canvassing for business, and to acknowledge the receipt of your reply received on the 26th idem. Seeing that the Pacific cable would be open in a few weeks for international traffic, I decided to take no further action in the matter, particularly as the Board apparently was not anxious to advertise the cable at the present juncture. For your information I may state that a representative of the Eastern Extension Company visited the South Island and left with business firms and others blank telegram-forms stamped " Via Extension," as well as a rubber stamp for impressing the same direction on the forms. He also, by representations in favour of the Eastern Extension route, urged the use of his company's cables in preference to the Pacific cable, with the result that no inconsiderable quantity of traffic was diverted from the latter route. Had it not been known that previous representations had failed to rouse the Board to take some action to check the loss of business, I would have considered the advisability of moving in this direction here, no less to preserve the legitimate traffic over the Pacific cable than to neutralise the misrepresentation which has been going on. Copy of circular [not printed] issued by the company is forwarded for your information. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, For the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 212. The Hon. the Peime Ministee to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 9th March, 1903. Waed wishes you inform Pacific Cable Board that Eastern Extension Company actively canvassing Australia, New Zealand. Board must do likewise if desires hold its own.
No. 213. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peime Ministee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W. Sir,— 13th March, 1903. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 9th instant, instructing me to inform the Pacific Cable Board that the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company were actively engaged in canvassing in the Australian Colonies and in New Zealand, and to advise the Board to take steps in order to meet this action on the part of the company. I at once communicated your message to the Board, and in reference thereto the Chairman has represented to me that in any steps the Board may determine to take they have necessarily to mainly depend on your good offices, and I have accordingly telegraphed to you [not printed] asking you on behalf of the Board to recommend the steps which you would advise them to take for the purpose of competing with the Eastern Company in canvassing for traffic. I made a similar request in my telegram to you of the 24th September last, but in your letter of the 26th November last acknowledging its receipt you did not make any recommendation as regards the steps which it would be desirable for the Board to take. I am glad, however, to be able to state that the Chairman informs me that, so far as he is able to judge from the weekly traffic returns, the Pacific cable appears to be holding its own in Australasia, and that had it not been for the interruptions in the line in Canada it would in all probability have done much more than hold its own. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.
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No. 214. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the General Manages, Pacific Cable Board, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 25th April, 1903. Lately returned from Australia. Eastern Company most energetic securing traffic, serious loss Pacific cable. At Sydney, steamers from New Zealand met, business secured. Company's messengers placed disposal clients and others convey telegrams from business, private houses, run errands. Forms, headed " Vid Eastern," and " Vid Eastern " stamps distributed broadcast. To lesser degree this the case New Zealand. Company's officer now travelling colony. Exasperating lose business through push Eastern Company, and continued inaction Board, when so little needed neutralise company's touting. Couple smart business men two or three months would discount company's canvassing. In face heavy deficiency something must be done. Unless Board moves, I will, in interests colony and cable, send one of my officers through each Island counteract company. Board quiescent too long. Inaction playing into hands Eastern people.
No. 215. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Genehal to the Aokent-Genekal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 25th April, 1903. Have cabled Eeynolds advising that unless Pacific cable moves counteract Eastern Company's canvassing will send couple officers through colony. Board's inaction losing business daily. Little effort needed upset company's touting. Something must be done in face heavy deficiency. Urge Board act at once.
No. 216. The Hon. the Postmastbe - Geneeal, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmastee - Genehal, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 27th April, 1903. Have cabled Eeynolds and Agent-General to urge Pacific Board take immediate steps neutralise Eastern Company's canvassing, and that unless Board move I would send couple of officers through the colony. Eemembering large deficiency, something must be done. Hope you will support.
No. 217. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 30th April, 1903. Boaed accepts your suggestion regarding canvassing, and will defray costs, salaries, and expenses of two officers of your Department acting under your orders for three months if necessary.
No. 218. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, to the Agent-General. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 11th May, 1903. I have the honour to confirm my cablegram of the 25th ultimo, copy of which is attached. I also enclose copy of the cable sent Mr. Eeynolds. From what came to my knowledge in Melbourne and Sydney there seemed to me no alternative but to try to force the hand of the Board. I discussed the position with the Hon. Mr. Drake, and he agreed with me that the Board should immediately take steps to neutralise the Eastern Company's canvassing, especially in the face of the heavy estimated deficiency in the first year's working of the Pacific cable. I have, &c, J. G. Waed, Postmaster-General. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 219. The Hon. the Postmaster-Genebal, Wellington, to the Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 25th May, 1903. Canvass began fifth. Officers canvassed each principal centre. Canvass most satisfactory. All principal users cable seen. Officers keep in close touch with traffic. Marked forms, stamps, I'ates distributed. Maps, posters presently. Board should at once issue route maps, booklets, similar to Eastern, as much inquired for. Show Eeeves.
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No. 220. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. Sib,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 27th May, 1903. I have the honour to forward copy of letter [not printed] from the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral to the Chairman of the Pacific Gable Board, advising what had been done in re the canvass undertaken at the request of the Board in the interests of the Pacific cable. The result should be regarded as highly satisfactory to the Board. I have, &c, B. J. Seddon, Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 221. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Ministee. (Telegram.) London, 28th May, 1903. Pacific Ocean telegraph-cable booklets, &c, are being issued in this country. I will urge Board to take steps of a similar kind in the colony.
No. 222. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. g IE Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 9th June, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th March last, with reference to the action of the Eastern Telegraph Company in touting for business. My letter of the 27th ultimo will have advised you of the action taken in this colony in the matter of canvassing in the interests of the Pacific cable. It is difficult to understand why the Board hitherto have paid so little heed to the activity of the Eastern Company's representatives, particularly with the knowledge that the Pacific business had suffered in consequence. Very determined canvassing on the Board's behalf will now have to be done in Australia, where the Eastern Company, having its own offices, and having been allowed to canvass without hindrance, has obtained a very strong footing, which it will be difficult to remove it from. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, For the Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 223. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General's Department, SlB> _ Melbourne, 23rd June, 1903. * In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant [not printed], forwarding an extract from a report by the canvasser at Dunedin for the Pacific Cable Board, I have the honour by direction, to inform you that inquiry is being made as to the action referred to therein on the part of a counter clerk in the Chief Telegraph Office, Melbourne, in recommending the Eastern Extension route for cablegrams. I am to add that the officers of this Department have been instructed that, so far as they are concerned, a strictly impartial attitude is to be observed in connection with both the Eastern Extension' Telegraph Company and the Pacific Cable Board with respect to telegrams tendered for transmission, and that an instruction has also been issued that in those cities where the Eastern Extension Company has been allowed to open its own offices for the reception and delivery of telegrams to be sent over its cables such telegrams for places beyond the Commonwealth, except those for New Zealand, are not to be accepted at this Department's offices. New Zealand business is not covered by the agreements under which the company has been allowed to open its own offices I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Bobert T. Scott, Secretary.
No. 224. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 3rd July, 1903. Southport wires : " Have advice of appointment of Melbourne and Sydney canvassers, and believe they are at work. Expecting to hear from them daily."
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MISCELLANEOUS: CODE TIME, DUPLEXING, FANNING ISLAND, ETC.
No. 225. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Acting-Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 6th May, 1902. Sir, — Pacific Gable. I beg to state, for the information of the Government, that the Pacific Gable Board do not intend to insure either tho cable or the instruments. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.
No. 226. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 14th May, 1902. Cable cannot be duplexed until Norfolk Island office completed. I can easily handle present traffic working simplex.
No. 227. The Officer in Charge, Telegraph Office, Wellington, to Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd July, 1902. Does Norfolk Island transmit, or do you work direct with Southport ?
No. 228. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Officer in Charge, Telegraph Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 2nd July, 1902. Work direct with Southport.
No. 229. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 16th July, 1902. Cable now duplexed to Southport. Am prepared to deal with increased traffic.
No. 230. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th July, 1902. My warm congratulations on the duplexing of cable, and trust that increased traffic may follow. Minister, no doubt, will announce in House this afternoon. The duplexing should be made widely public on other side.
No. 231. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 17th July, 1902. Duplex : Information has been made public throughout Australia.
No. 232. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Acting-Premier. (Telegram.) London, 7th August, 1902. Pacific Cable Board's thanks for consenting steamer calling Panning Island [see Nos. 5 et seq., F.-6, 1903]. Secondly, Board would be obliged by Minister of Marine securing at cost of Board suitable boat land stores at Fanning Island, capable of carrying three or four tons; to be sent to Fanning Island by mail-steamer San Francisco.
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No. 233. Captain W. D. Ebid, Auckland, to the Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 14th August, 1902. Union Company have boat here carry 4to 5 tons. I consider her worth £20, and cost £6 to put her in order, keel-band, paint, and repair. I asked for price ; they wish me to quote. Just the boat I understand you want. Length, 27 ft.; breadth, 7 ft. ; depth, 2 ft. 11 in. Proper surf-boat from Tahiti, built pitch-pine. Wire if I shall quote total price, £26 to £27.
No. 234. Captain W. D. Eeid, Auckland, to the Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 15th August, 1902. Union Company will sell boat for £22. Captain Bollons and myself agree she is worth that. Company purpose sending her south by to-morrow's boat. Wire if she will suit, and me to repair. Total cost, £28 to £29. A suitable boat.
No. 235. The Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Mercantile Marine, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 15th August, 1902. Purchase boat from Union Company, and have it put in thorough repair and properly equipped. Advise me when this is done.
No. 236. The Hon. the Acting-Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th August, 1902. Your cablegram seventh : Suitable boat procured. Unless Spreckels instructs, outgoing steamer will not call at Fanning Island.
No. 237. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Acting-Premier. (Telegram.) London, 19th August, 1902. Pacific Cable Board request you give formal permission Spreckels call Fanning Island.
No. 238. The Hon. the Acting-Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th August, 1902. Your telegram nineteenth : Spreckels requested instruct outgoing steamer call Fanning.
No. 239. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Acting-Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 22nd August, 1902. Sib,- Pacific Gable and Fanning Island. I beg to enclose herewith copies of cablegrams that have passed between us, and of correspondence with the Pacific Cable Board, relating to the calling at Fanning Island of the San Francisco mail-steamers and to the supply and delivery of a surf-boat at the island on behalf of the Board. I have, &c, The Hon. the Acting-Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.
Enclosure 1 in No. 239. The Hon. the Acting-Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Eeceived Ist August, 1902. Consented to Frisco steamers calling at Fanning Island on voyage from Auckland. Contractors applied outcome request by Cuthbert. Assume this with Board's concurrence. Enclosure 2 in No. 239. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Secretary, Pacific Cable Board. Sir,— 13, Victoria Street, 6th August, 1902. I am directed by the Agent-General to transmit herewith copy of cablegram which he has received from his Government. I am, &c, The Secretary, Pacific Cable Board, Walter Kennaway.
7— F. 8,
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Enclosure 3 in No. 239. The General Manages, Pacific Cable Board, to the Agent-Geneeal, London. Sib,— Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, S.W., 7th August, 1902. In accordance with the arrangements made at the sub-committee meeting of the Pacific Cable Board held this day, I write to ask you to be good enough to telegraph to the New Zealand Government thanking them on behalf of the Board for their courtesy in allowing the steamers of the American and Australian line to call at Panning Island on their northward journey. 2. Please also telegraph to the New Zealand Government asking them to provide on behalf of the Board a suitable small surf-boat, capable of landing a few passengers or not more than 4 tons of stores. This boat is intended for use at Fanning Island for the purpose of meeting the mailsteamer, and it should be sent to Fanning from Auckland by the first A. and A. steamer that calls at Fanning, probably the first steamer of September. 3. I append, for your information, a copy of the two telegrams sent this day to Mr. Storror in connection with the calling of the A. and A. steamer at Fanning Island. I am, &c, C. H. Ebynolds, The Agent-General for New Zealand. General Manager.
Sub-enclosures to Enclosure 3 in No. 239. The Pacific Cable Boabd to Storbor, Postal Telegraph Company, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Accept offer A. and A. line to call Fanning on condition named in Mr. Spreckels's letter to Cuthbert, 17th June. New Zealand Government consent. (Telegram.) Ask Mr. Spreckels whether A. and A. line could land passengers and stores Fanning at expense of Board for first few trips, till Board able to provide its own boat now ordering.
[For Enclosures 4 and 5 in No. 239 see Nos. 232 and 236.]
Enclosure 6 in No. 239. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the General Manager, Pacific Cable Board. Sib,— 13, Victoria Street, 16th August, 1902. Referring to your letter of the 7th instant, I am directed by the Agent-General to inform you that he has received a cablegram from his Government stating that a suitable boat has been procured, but that unless Messrs. Spreckels give instructions the outgoing steamer will not call at Fanning Island. You will see, therefore, that if you wish to have the boat sent by that steamer it will be necessary to at once take steps to obtain Messrs. Spreckels's consent to its calling at Fanning Island. I am, &c, Waltee Kennaway. C. H. Eeynolds, Esq., General Manager, Pacific Cable Board.
[For Enclosures 7 and 8 in No. 239 see Nos. 237 and 238.]
Enclosure 9 in No. 239. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the General Manager, Pacific Cable Board. Sir,— 13, Victoria Street, 21st August, 1902. Referring to my letter of the 16th instant, I am directed by the Agent-General to state that, in reply to his cablegram transmitting your Board's request that his Government shall give to Messrs. Soreckels formal permission to call at Fanning Island, he has been informed by cable that such request has been complied with. I am, &c, The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board. Walter Kennaway.
No. 240. The Hon. the Acting-Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 25th August, 1902. Fanning Island and my telegram twentieth : Now learn outgoing steamer will not touch at island. " Sierra," leaving Auckland nineteenth September, will be first vessel calling.
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No. 241. The Secketaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 26th August, 1902. You will no doubt be interested to learn that arrangements have been made for the San Francisco steamers on the upward trip from Auckland to call at Fanning Island every voyage or every second voyage. It was intended that the "Ventura," leaving Auckland on Friday, should call at the island, but it has since been decided that the first call is to be made by the " Sierra," leaving Auckland 19th September.
No. 242. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 26th August, 1902. Thank you. I have imparted good news to Southport, Norfolk, and Fiji. Will information be sent to London Press or Agent-General?
No. 243. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 26th August, 1902. Cable Board fully acquainted with arrangement, as is Agent-General. No doubt Press has been advised.
No. 244. W. A. Eyan and Co., Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— Auckland, 27th August, 1902. As we note that there is a probability of the San Francisco mail-steamers calling at Fanning Island, in which case apparently it will be necessary to land passengers in surf-boats, we might mention that if a surf-boat was fitted with a " Union" oil-engine, similar to that supplied to the " Tutanekai " and " Hinemoa," much time would be saved. Captain Post of the " Tutanekai " could, we think, give you all particulars re his own launch, and may possibly be of assistance in making suggestions. Forwarding, under separate cover, a parcel of printed matter, included in which will be found the manufacturer's catalogue. We have, &c, W. A. Eyan and Co. W. Gray, Esq., Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington.
No. 245. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. W. A. Eyan and Co., Auckland. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 6th September, 1902. I have to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter of 27th ultimo, with catalogues, suggesting that the surf-boat to be used at Fanning Island be fitted with a "Union" oil-engine, and beg to inform you that it is not intended to convert the boat into an oil-launch. Yours, &c, Messrs. W. A. Eyan and Co., Engineers, Auckland. W. Gray, Secretary.
No. 246. The Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, Auckland, to the Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. Surf-boat for Fanning Island. Sir,— Auckland, Bth September, 1902. I beg to inform you that the boat for Fanning Island is now ready for shipment, and has been equipped as follows : Two 12 ft. oars, two 14 ft. oars, one 20 ft. oar, six rowlocks, one mast and lug-sail complete. I understand the boat is to be shipped by outgoing mail-steamer on the 19th instant. Please advise me to whom I am to ship. I have, &c, W. D. Eeid.
No. 247. The Hon. the Acting-Peemiek to the Agent-General. Premier's Office, Wellington, 16th September, 1902. g JR) Purchase of Surf-boat for Pacific Gable Station, Fanning Island. Eeferring to your cablegram of the 7th ultimo, and my reply of the 16th idem, on the above subject, I have now the honour to inform you that the boat was purchased
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from the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), through the Marine Department; and will be forwarded from Auckland by the E.M.S. " Sierra " on the 19ch instant. The dimensions are as follows : Weight-carrying capacity, 4to 5 tons ; length, 27 ft.; breadth, 7 ft. The boat is built of pitch-pine, and is a proper surf-boat from Tahiti. The price was £22, but there will be some additional expense for repairs and equipment. I will advise you by next mail of the total cost. The equipment consists of eight 14 ft. oars, two 12 ft. oars, one 20 ft. oar, six rowlocks, one , mast and lug-sail complete. I have, &c, C. H. Mills, For the Acting-Premier. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 248. The Secketaky, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Mail Agent, E.M.S. " Sierra." (Memorandum.) General Post Office, Wellington, 16th September, 1902. Galling at Fanning Island; Surf-boat. You have already been informed that the " Sierra " is to call at Fanning Island on the upward voyage I think it more than probable that either Mr. Guthbert or a representative of the Cable Board will be at the island. In any case there will be a considerable number of workmen there —the employees of the contractor for the erection of the office buildings and quarters, and you may meet the cable-steamer " Colonia." As intimated verbally to you, I should like you to land at the island and obtain all the information possible about it, which you will please include in an official report to me on your return. Should you see Mr. Cuthbert, explain what will be required of him as Postmaster, and that the post-office will be almost, if not wholly, for the convenience and in the interests of the cable staff. As mentioned to you, the steamer is not supposed to remain longer than one hour at the island, but probably this may have to be exceeded on the initial trip. In any case see that the detention is not prolonged, and that the prompt connection with the fast Saturday boat at New York is in no way jeopardized The "Sierra" takes a surf-boat fully equipped for the service of the Cable Board at the island. You might see Captain Eeid, of the Marine Department, at Auckland, who will look after the shipment of the boat and appliances. You had better obtain from him an inventory of the oars, sails, &c, that are being sent with the boat; and I should like you to see that the boat is duly landed at Fanning Island and handed over to the proper representative of the Cable Board. The Mail Agent, E.M.S. " Sierra." W. Gkay, Secretary.
No. -249. The Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th September, 1902. Is the charge of £20 for freight on boat which Captain Eeid is shipping to Fanning on behalf of this Department in keeping with the terms of Mr. Spreckels's letter ?
No. 250. Messrs. Hendebson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 18th September, 1902. Suef-boat measures eleven and a half tons ; twenty pounds is therefore reduced rate on two pounds per ton.
No. 251. The Supebintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Fanning Island, to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sik, — Fanning Island, Ist October, 1902. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 16th September [for part printed see No. 43, F.-6, 1903], and to thank you for the information with reference to the mail-steamers and " Colonia," and also for the papers, &c, which you so kmdly sent. The surf-boat arrived all right, and is quite suitable for our work. It is very necessary that we should have a post-office here. lam quite willing to act as Postmaster, and have requested Mr. Isbister, by letter, to arrange with the agent on the next steamer calling to have ready for me a supply of stamps, post-cards, and any forms necessary. It would be very convenient for the staff here if you could arrange for a parcel-post service, to enable us to get parcels from Auckland and from England, &c, vid Auckland. I have requested the Postmaster at Auckland to oblige by sending me price-lists from two or three merchants there, as that seems to me the most convenient place from which to get our supplies. Yours, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. David Cuthbebt.
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No. 252. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Panning Island, to the Secretary, General Post Office, "Wellington. [Extract.] Sir,— Fanning Island, 18th October, 1902. Fanning Island is an atoll situated about two hundred and fifty miles north of the Equator. Its greatest length is nine miles and a half, and its width about four miles. Most of the width is taken up by a shallow lagoon full of coral patches. Like most atolls, the island simply consists of a strip of land surrounding a lagoon ; the width of this strip does not at any point exceed half a mile. The highest parts of the land do not exceed 11 ft., and those elevated points are all coral rims on the outside of the atoll, the land sloping gradually everywhere to the water's edge on the lagoon. The soil is principally composed of coral sand and some mould which has been brought from the Hawaiian Islands. Guano beds are to be found all over the island. Formerly a considerable amount of guano was exported, but since 1884 this industry has ceased. At present the only industry is the making of copra from the cocoanuts. The island in nearly every part is densely covered with cocoanut-trees from 60 ft. to 90 ft. high, which can be seen from a vessel's deck about fifteen miles at sea. Mr. George B. Greig, the owner of the island, employs Gilbert-Islanders for the purpose of making copra from the cocoanuts, and has one hundred and fifty of them at work upon Fanning and Washington Islands. Mr. Greig brings those people from the Gilbert Group under contract for three years. The men collect the nuts, and the women break them and cut the copra from the shells. It is then dried on mats for a few days, and stored to await the arrival of a schooner, which takes the copra to San Francisco twice a year. Mr. Greig exports about 400 tons annually. The natives usually leave their settlement early on Monday morning in canoes for the part of the island selected for nutting. Each man to get full pay must collect a thousand nuts per week. On Saturday morning the canoes return, towing long strings of nuts, each man's lot being kept separate, and counted by the overseer on arrival. The only ship-entrance to the lagoon is at English Harbour, on the south-west side. This entrance is 280 yards wide, but a reef, which dries in places, reduces the navigable space with more than 20 ft. of water to about 90 yards, and through this channel the tide runs at five knots per hour. The harbour, which is just inside the southern side of the channel, has 5 fathoms of water. Schooners can lie alongside the wharf, and H.M.S. "Penguin " —2OO ft. in length, and drawing 17 ft. of water —remained for two weeks breasted off the wharf about 30 ft. Until the Pacific cable was laid English Harbour was the only settlement on the island; but now the Pacific Cable Board has built a fine station at Whalers' Anchorage, three miles further north (formerly the guano-shipping centre), and a staff of Englishmen, Scotchmen, and colonials is stationed there for the purpose of transmitting the cable messages going to and from New Zealand and Australia by the new route. The whole of the buildings will not be completed till next month. When the builders and the Cable Board's representatives arrived in July last they found the place a dense tropical jungle, and much labour had to be expended in clearing a place for a site, and also for the purpose of allowing the south-east trade wind to reach the site. A reservoir, with a capacity of 100,000 gallons, has been provided to store rain-water. There is also a good supply of water in the ground, and it can be easily found by digging wells in the coral sand from 6 ft. to 8 ft. deep. At a distance of 100 yards from the sea this water is not brackish, and is excellent for drinking. The total population of the island is ninety. The fish, which abounds, is of excellent quality and in great variety. Turtle is caught occasionally. There is a large colony of gannets on the island, and a large number of snipe, curlew, and duck. The cables are working splendidly. We had quite a big job getting the duplex artificial lines fitted up I have, &c, D. Cuthbert, Superintendent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 258. The Hon. the Postmaster-General to the Agent-General. g ra ,— General Post Office, Wellington, 29th October, 1902. I have the honour to inform you, on behalf of the Hon. the Prime Minister, in order to catch the present mail, that the cost of the surf-boat for the Fanning Island cable-station is made up as follows : — £ s. d. Purchase from Union Steamship Company ... ... ... 22 0 0 Freight, Oceanic Company ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 0 Fitting, by Eoss and Ansenne, Auckland ... ... ... 10 6 3 Repairing and painting, by Bailey and Lowe, Auckland .... ... 7 0 0 £59 6 3 The two last items have been paid already, on behalf of the Pacific Cable Board, by this Department ; and I am waiting now to hear from the Board in respect of discharging the others also. I have, &c, W. Gray, For the Postmaster-General. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
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No. 254. The Superintendent, Pacific Gable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 3rd November, 1902. 1 p.m.—l have just received the following from Mr. Reynolds: "Cable Fiji-Vancouver will_ not be opened for traffic for some weeks Private and Press messages must be refused."
No. 255. The Hon. the Postmaster-Geneeal to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th November, 1902. Desieb strongly impress you, and Board through you, that traffic being diverted from Pacific to Extension route through representatives of company personally urging business people and others use company's cables. Just received circular from leading business house Australia, issued by Eastern Company, stating that Extension route, from experience, is the best. This is having undoubted effect on Pacific traffic. As one of contracting colonies, New Zealand strongly objects these representations being continuously and industriously circulated without Board attempting contradict. We have endeavoured neutralise, but Board's determination at present not to advertise Pacific cable or challenge Eastern Company's action tied our hands. Position most unsatisfactory to colony. Have also to bring under your own and Board's notice strong point made by Eastern Company in registering free in London code-indicators, so as to assist to secure monopoly certain traffic with colonies. Matter already represented Superintendent, Doubtless Bay. Consider Board should at once arrange to have cabled free from colonies for registration in London all code addresses for messages intended for Pacific route, and thereby get on level terms with Eastern Company. At same time, wide publicity should be given to what is being done. If action not at once taken, foresee enormous increase of business to Eastern Company at cost Pacific Board.
No. 256. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peime Ministeb. (Telegram.) London, 21st November, 1902. Pacific cable : Special meeting yesterday carefully considered Postmaster-General's suggestions. Board agrees to cable experiment for registration of code telegraphic address, also authorises Government giving publicity in Press or otherwise Board's rates and arrangements. Also inquiry will be made as regards canvassing, and Chairman will see Eastern Telegraph Company confidentially, and also consult with Colonial Office and Board's legal advisers as regards terminal charges.
No. 257. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmastbr-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 22nd November, 1902. Please notify widely that traffic for Great Britain vid Vancouver will on opening of Pacific cable be delivered ordinarily in London by the Atlantic companies, in provinces usually by Pose Office. Atlantic companies register code addresses in London free. Senders using code addresses should use addresses registered by British post-office or by Atlantic companies. This intimation is being made here.
No. 258. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th November, 1902. Do I understand that Atlantic telegraph companies will deliver all cablegrams for Great Britain, or only cablegrams addressed to London, the Post Office delivering the others as at present?
No. 259. The Supebintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 24th November, 1902. Atlantic companies will deliver cables in London and large centres where they have their own offices, handing all others to the post-office, exactly as is done by Eastern Extension.
No. 260. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 27th November, 1902. Sell's Directory of Eegistered Telegraphic Addresses contains a very large number of addresses registered in Great Britain by the Post Office. The Atlantic companies will deliver all telegrams
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addressed to any code address which appears in Sell's, as well as to any person whose address is registered with them. The companies register free. Persons whose correspondents' addresses do not appear in Sell's, or are not registered in any Atlantic company, are advised to request their correspondents to register with one or other Atlantic company.
No. 261. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 7th December, 1902. From to-morrow all Pacific stations recognise Greenwich mean time as their common official time.
No. 262. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable ■Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 7th December, 1902. Your telegram re Greenwich mean time not understood. Is it intended to translate New Zealand time to Greenwich time on all telegrams from here before you forward them ? and are telegrams from, say, Suva and America to New Zealand to bear Greenwich time as the time of despatch? I do not overlook fact that you intend to transmit time only pending further instructions from General Manager; but, if finally decided to do so regularly, strongly urge same system as followed by Eastern—namely, to transmit local time, as this practice is now well understood by senders and receivers of telegrams.
No. 263. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 7th December, 1902. Greenwich time transmitting-stations will not interfere with original timing. Presume Norfolk and Suva will use local time to show hour messages presented. Am inquiring.
No. 264. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. ■ (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, Bth December, 1902. Dates and time are omitted from international traffic vid Vancouver, but for the present adhered to for Australasia and traffic vid Cocos and Darwin.
No. 265. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. Sir, — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 10th December, 1902. I have now the honour to reiterate my congratulations on the opening of the Pacific cable for international traffic on Monday last, and the completion of this great Imperial work, in which you have taken so prominent a part as the representative of the colony. The advantages of the route are not yet apparent, of course, but it has already been demonstrated that for messages between New Zealand and London there will be an appreciable saving in time. The Post and Telegraph Department was considerably hampered by the delay in the receipt of the cable rates, and more particularly the failure to obtain those for the West Indies and Central and South America. The need for announcing the charges at the earliest possible moment would not appear to have been fully realised by the Board, and I was gratified to find from the response to the Postmaster-General's telegram of the sth [not printed], copy of which is attached hereto, that you were apparently able to move the Board to have the rates telegraphed. The General Manager's telegram reached here on Sunday, so that it was possible to place all telegraph-offices in the colony in possession of a fairly complete tariff before the commencement of business the following morning. It would have been unfortunate if the more natural route for telegrams for the countries named could not have been availed of from the first. It is hoped that it may be possible for the Board to bring the rates for European countries vid Pacific into uniformity with those charged by the Eastern route. No doubt the Board has had difficulties to face, but it should be possible to come to an arrangement with the companies owning the cables between America and France whereby a sensible reduction in the tariff to and from Europe will be practicable. I enclose copy of your reply to the Postmaster-General's cablegram of the 11th ultimo [No. 255], in connection with the Eastern Company's representative canvassing for business, the purport of which was immediately acted upon. By the arrangement between the Pacific Cable Board and the Eastern Company, under which the latter's code addresses will be available for telegrams sent vid Pacific, the matter of code addresses is placed on a satisfactory footing, which will greatly facilitate business.
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The international cablegrams via Pacific do not bear the time and date of as is the case with those forwarded via Eastern. The Superintendent of the Doubtless Bay station advises that this is in accordance with the system adopted by the Atlantic companies, and, 1 presume, unalterable. I fear, however, that there will be some dissatisfaction on the part ot receivers, who for so many years have been accustomed to see the date and time of despatch on their cable messages. . , , For the time being the office at Doubtless Bay is kept open from 7.30 a.m. to midnight, and later when necessary. As advised in the Postmaster-General's cablegram of the 6th instant, copy of which is enclosed, no change will be made in the hours for the present for New Zealand lines. I am just in receipt of your telegram advising that the length of time occupied in the transmission of the test message sent you yesterday by the Postmaster-General was two hours thirty-nine minutes by the Pacific cable, and four hours twelve minutes by the Eastern route. No doubt this advantage in favour of the Pacific route will be materially improved upon m the course of a few days, by which time the transmitting-stations in the Pacific Ocean will be better able to handle the work, when the authorities expect that an hourly service will be practicable between Auckland and London. I have, &c, J. G. Waed, For the Prime Minister. Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 266. The Hon. the Pbime Minister to the Agent-Gbneeal. (Telegram ) Wellington, 12th December, 1902. Public strongly resent omission code time Pacific cable. Traffic suffers. Urge Board have inserted forthwith. Your message to Ward took one hour twenty-two minutes.
No. 267. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Peime Minister. (Telegram ) London, 17th December, 1902. Eefereing to your telegram of 12th December, Board given authority to Chairman to make liberal offer to Atlantic Telegraph Company insertion code time.
No. 268. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Memorandum.) 20th December, 1902. Pacific Cable : Surf-boat for Fanning Island. I beg to inform the Hon. the Minister that I obtained from the Pacific Cable Board, and paid into the Public Account on the 16th instant, the sum of £59 6s. 3d. in settlement of the cost of the surf-boat purchased in New Zealand for the Fanning Island cable-station. The details on which I obtained payment from the Board were furnished to me by the Hon. the Postmaster-General in his letter of the 29th October last, and this advice of the receipt of the total amount will enable the outstanding charges for purchase and freight to be paid in the colony by the Post Office. W - P - Eeeves - The Hon. the Premier, Wellington.
No. 269. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Briscoe and Co., Invercargill. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd December, 1902. You may have assumed that the London cable message received by you on the 18th, marked " Diverted via Extension," was diverted on account of interruption to Pacific cable. This was not so The words appear to have been inadvertently inserted at one of the Eastern Cable Company's offices, and had direct reference to the need for diverting cable-work from Darwin-Adelaide line to the Broome, Western Australia line, or vice versa. Pacific cable has worked uninterruptedly since opened, and is giving excellent results. [Same telegram sent to Messrs. Henderson and Batger, Invercargill; Mr. W. H. P. Woodroffe Christchurch; Mr. G. G. Stead, Christchurch; Mr. A. H. Turnbull, Christchurch; New Zealand Eefrigerating Company, Dunedin; and Mr. Morris, Sash-factory, Greymouth.]
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No. 270. The Agbnt-Gbnbeal to the Hon. the Peime Ministeb. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Memorandum.) 23rd December, 1902. Sell's Directory of Registered Telegraphic Addresses. In accordance with the instructions contained in the Hon. the Minister's cablegram of the 11th instant, I at once obtained six copies of the above Directory with the three supplements, and as they were too bulky to be sent by post they were forwarded to the Hon. the Postmaster-General in a specially made-up mail-box per s.s. " Waiwera," which left on the 18th instant The Directory for 1903 will be published next month, and six copies of it shall be at once forwarded to the colony. W. P. Beeves. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington.
No. 271. The Agent-Genekal to the Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sm,— 24th December, 1902. I beg to state that, in compliance with the instructions contained in your cablegram of the 12th instant, I represented to the Pacific Cable Board that the public in New Zealand were making strong protest against the omission to give date and hour at-which cablegrams sent by the Pacific route were despatched and received. The difficulty in the way of this being done is caused by the fact that it is not the practice of the Atlantic cable companies. At a meeting, however, of the Cable Board, the Chairman was authorised to make a liberal offer to those companies to induce them to insert code time of despatch and receipt. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.
No. 272. The Hon. the Pbime Ministee to the Agent-Geneeal. S IE) — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 31st December, 1902. I have the honour to confirm my telegram of the 12th instant; and to acknowledge the receipt of your reply. I am exceedingly pleased to hear that you have prevailed on the Board to endeavour to have the omission—all-important to business people—supplied by the Atlantic telegraph companies. The complaints have been earnest as well as general, and unless the code time is inserted in the cable messages the Pacific cable traffic must suffer. Your test message to Sir Joseph Ward came through in excellent time, but I understand the Board's officers expect to show even better results by-and-by. I have, &c, C. H. Mills, For the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 273. The SupBBiNTENDBNT, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, Ist January, 1903. Following from General Manager: "Atlantic companies do not accept multiple telegrams addressed to several persons in the same town, nor do they give priority to private urgent telegrams. Multiple telegrams should not be accepted, and urgent telegrams received in transit must take their turn."
No. 274. The Hon. the Pbime Minister to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th January, 1903. Omission code time Pacific and your telegram seventeenth December: Complaints continue. Much irritation. Governor states necessary know when his cables leave London. Unless time inserted, Government must announce publicly, to cheek ceaseless complaints. Wish avoid this, as' recognise result divert traffic Eastern Company. Urge Board take immediate further action.
B—F. 8.
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No. 275. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th January, 1903. Governor has now complained of omission of code time from his messages, stating that it is imperative he should know when his messages leave London. Agent-General has been again cabled, and I would be glad if you would emphasize to General Manager the urgent need for the insertion of code time.
No. 276. The Officer-in-Oharge, Telegraph-office, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. . (Telegram.) Dunedin, 9th January, 1903. Eeuter's Agent and Dnion Steam Company complain of the absence of date from London cablegrams via Pacific. Perhaps you can get this rectified.
No. 277. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 9th January, 1903. Be code time : I would suggest hour and nearest five minutes instead of hour and date ; the latter could be filled in by our terminal offices same as Eastern do.
No. 278. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 9th January, 1903. Following from Pacific : " Do you consider that date and hour, omitting minute, on messages will sufficiently meet public requirements? .... If date and hour sufficient will endeavour negotiate "
No. 279. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 9th January, 1903. Your telegram re code time is before the Minister. I think it will be necessary to include minutes as well as hours. Probably your suggestion to take hour and nearest five minutes would meet the case, but Ido not think date should be omitted. Would it not be possible to devise a code for the 288 divisions of the twenty-four hours, or even to use a similar code to that for inland telegrams— thus, "A B " representing 1.5; "A C," 1.10, and soon? Let me know what Commonwealth Post Office says.
No. 280. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 9th January, 1903. In reply, the following from Judd : " Am informed that between La Perouse and Nelson all messages are forwarded with actual time of handing in. Over other sections Extension the fiveminute code-timing is in practice "
No. 281. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 10th January, 1903. Commonwealth replies : " Think date and hour would suffice."
No. 282. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th January, 1903. Code time : I note Commonwealth's reply. I saw Mr. Harrison, Eeuter's representative, yesterday. He indicated that inclusion of time of lodgment to nearest five minutes very important in many of his telegrams, as many of his code messages covered orders for produce to be determined within a given number of hours. ....
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No. 283. The Supebintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Sbcbbtaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 10th January, 1903. Quite agree re time. I think hour and nearest five minutes essential, but not date. The dates could be supplied by the Pacific stations
No. 284. 'ho Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the General Manageb, Pacific Cable Board, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 12th January, 1903. Code time : Urge signalling date and time presentation within nearest five minutes. Many business firms say thie essential. My own experience confirms.
No. 285. The Secretaby, General Post Office, Wellington, fco the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 12th January, 1903. Hope to be able to reply this morning re code time. Several of the principal business firms have been consulted. Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin satisfied with date and hour, but Christchurch of opinion that actual time of presentation should be given, " especially so if Pacific is to be up to date like the Eastern." The business firms in Christchurch also state that " many contracts hinge on the actual time." One of the principal merchants showed the Officer in Charge, Christchurch, a cable instructing him not to use the Pacific owing to the omission of date and time. Have you considered the suggestion about a code-word representing time of presentation within the nearest five minutes—date, of course, being telegraphed as well.
No. 286. The Hon. the Postmasteb-General, Wellington, to the General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th January, 1903. Code time : Hour nearest five minutes and date essential. Unless Board agrees, Pacific cable, in my opinion, so far as concerns European traffic, next to useless for commercial purposes. Considerable loss business will follow, while Eastern route placed in forefront. Have received strong representations business firms Australia and New Zealand for insertion date and actual time presentation. If this not done their cable business will go via Eastern. Trial might be given to insertion time of presentation to nearest five minutes by forwarding office, leaving date to be added by Bamfield. Strongly urge Board agree.
No. 287. The Genbeal Manages, Pacific Gable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmastbr-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 14th January, 1903. Board at meeting to-day consider financially impossible to give date, hour, and minutes, as it would double cost. They think it would be better to give date and hour instead of hour and minutes. Do you understand ? We propose to give nearest hour —that is to say, maximum error thirty minutes, average fifteen. Hope you will think it possible to concede.
No. 288. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 15th January, 1903. . Current dates are not signalled in Eastern Company, but are inserted by operators. Traffic from America bears London time
No. 289. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 16th January, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of letters from you, numbered and dated as per margin, on matters connected with the Pacific cable. In reply, I have the honour to state, for the information of the Postmaster-General, that I have used every effort to have some working arrangement made with the Atlantic cable companies on the subject of giving date and time of
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messages. As the Postmaster-General is aware, the Atlantic cable companies are prepared to let us use the cipher, which would express the date and hour, but not the minute, though in practice this would mean that the time of the message would be given on the average within fifteen minutes of the actual moment of sending. No doubt some commercial firms would prefer to have it even more exactly. The difficulty is that to give the date, hour, and minute would require two words, and would, it is estimated, cost us £10,000 a year. The Eastern Company's system is to assume the date and telegraph the hour and minute. I urged the Board to adopt the same system as the Eastern Company, but the other members, and the Chairman particularly, were unwilling to do this, holding that there might be some risk and possible errors in the date. Finally it was agreed, at a meeting of the Board, that the Chairman should ask you to agree to accept the date and hour, and forego the question of the minute. The Australian Government has already agreed to this. If an answer is received from you declining to do this, then the Board promised me to reconsider the matter. The Postmaster-General will be pleased to know that the Attorney-General here, Sir Bobert Findlay, has given a legal opinion in favour of my view that the Board has power to redress the injustice caused by the excessive terminal rates imposed by Australia. In other words, Sir Eobert Findlay holds that the Board may make arrangements granting special rebates in consideration of low terminal charges. The Chairman, who holds the contrary view , has already hinted that if New Zealand is to claim a special rebate then something ought to be done for Canada and the United Kingdom. The matter is to come up at the next Board meeting. I will do the best I can for the colony, and am inclined to think that the ultimate result of the whole thing will be that the Australian terminal rate will be reduced. You will be glad to learn that the amount of business coming over the cable is showing a gratifying increase, and that the number of telegrams between the United States and New Zealand and Australia is much larger than was predicted. The General Manager showed me the last week's returns, from which I noted that more than one-third of the whole Pacific business was with the United States and Canada. This, I think, is encouraging. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves. 17th January, 1903. P.S.—Since writing the above I have had another interview with Mr. Reynolds, who informs me that the Postmaster-General has telegraphed from New Zealand to the effect that it is absolutely necessary that the Board should give the minute as well as the date and hour. If this is done in the case of all messages it will mean that we must pay the Atlantic companies for two words. The Chairman and Mr. Eeynolds estimate that this will cost the Pacific Cable Board 14 per cent, of its income. Mr. Eeynolds states that, as regards messages outwards to New Zealand, we could " fluke " the dates, as our own operators could fill in the necessary figures on receipt of the messages. The difficulty is that this cannot be done in the case of Homeward messages, as the operators are not our servants, but the servants of the Atlantic companies. The Chairman has summoned a special meeting of the Board for next Monday, and I will either cable the result then arrived at to you or will arrange with Mr. Eeynolds to do so. I should like to add that if for some weeks past I have not been cabling to you on the subject of the Pacific cable business, I hope you will not suppose that lam not following it all very closely. Mr. Eeynolds tells me of every telegram he sends out to New Zealand and of the answers he receives. Ido not therefore think it needful to telegraph myself, as that would merely double the expense. As regards the question of terminal rates, the. Manager indicated to me yesterday that he thought the British representatives of the Board would propose to pool all terminal rates, and then divide according to each country's proportion of guarantee. This would, of course, be a much better arrangement for New Zealand than the present state of things, but I propose hearing it discussed before deciding to support it. W. P. E.
No. 290. The General Managee, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Officer in Charge, Telegraph Office, Dunedin. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sik, — Dunedin, 16th January, 1903. I would call your attention to the fact that recently we have received several cablegrams from Suva, and also messages from Vancouver, from which the time handed in and date of despatch have been omitted and marked " Nil." As it is important that we should in nearly all cases know the time at which a message has been handed in, we shall be obliged if you can give instructions that the practice hitherto in force of showing the time and date be reverted to. Yours, &c, S. C. Cope, The Officer in Charge, Telegraph Office, Dunedin. For General Manager.
No. 291. The Hon. the Postmaster-General to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th January, 1903. Pacific cable: Several principal London New Zealand firms giving directions divert cables to Eastern route owing absence time and date via Pacific. Matter certain crop up in Parliament. Will be alleged Board playing into hands Eastern Company, and that all efforts New Zealand popularise Pacific cable destroyed. Supporters Pacific cable incensed.
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No. 29.2. The Sbckbtary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th January, 1903. Head Office Union Company complain that date and time omitted from Suva and Vancouver as well as London messages. I presume Vancouver and Fiji time of presentation should be inserted.
No. 293. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 21st January, 1903. Other stations decline to insert code time without explicit orders from London.
No. 294. The Hon. the Postmaster-General to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 26th January, 1903. Code time : Board's decision announced London Press cables twenty-first. Nothing from Keynolds.
No. 295. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. (Telegram.) London, 29th January, 1903. Code time finally settled only this morning. Eeynolds telegraphed accordingly. I do not understand how it is that Press correspondent anticipated.
No. 296. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 29th January, 1903. Glad to inform you that by co-operation Atlantic companies original date, hour, and minute to nearest fiye minutes will be in future inserted in free preamble of messages from Europe to Australia and New Zealand ; messages from Canada or United States will bear Vancouver date, time. Eeceivers of messages from Australia and New Zealand in Europe will get original date and nearest hour of filing. Impossible to give minutes this side, except at prohibitive cost.
No. 297. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager, Reuters Telegram Company, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 30th January, 1903. Referring to previous correspondence on the subject of the omission of the date and time of presentation in telegrams received by the Pacific cable route, I have the honour now to inform you that, commencing forthwith, the original date, hour, and minute to the nearest five minutes will be inserted free in the preamble of messages from Europe transmitted by the Pacific cable, and messages from Canada and the United States will bear the date and time of transmission at Vancouver. The addressees of messages from New Zealand via the Pacific cable will receive the original date and nearest hour of presentation. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Manager, Reuters Telegram Company (Limited), Wellington. [Letter of the same text and date also sent to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company (Limited), Wellington.]
No. 298. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 11th February, 1903. I have the honour to forward herewith copy of cablegrams exchanged in connection with the insertion of the time and date in cablegrams via Pacific. The advice that your Board had been able to bring the matter to such a conclusion was received here with the greatest satisfaction. I think there can be no doubt that the payment to the Atlantic cable companies for the service will be amply recouped by the additional traffic which will be drawn to the Pacific route on this account. 1 have, &c, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London.
[For Enclosures 1-4 in No. 298, see Nos. 284, 286, 287, 295; No. 5 not printed.]
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No. 299. The Hon. the Peimb Ministee to the Agent-Geneeal. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 11th February, 1903. S IE) Insertion of Code Time and Date in Cablegrams. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th December last [No. 271], advising that you had represented to the Pacific Cable Board that the New Zealand public were making strong "protest against the omission of the date and hour of presentation in your country of cablegrams via Pacific. The arrangement, as indicated in the telegrams exchanged, copy of which I attach, will, it is considered, be satisfactory, and should assist in the direction of increasing the traffic by the Pacific route. There can, I think, be no doubt that the expenditure of £2,700 a year to secure the insertion of code time in Pacific messages transmitted over the Atlantic cables will be more than recouped to the Board by the increased traffic which will be attracted on this account. The unfortunate interruptions—no less than seven since the 27th December last—have done much to retard the growth of the traffic, and it is to be hoped that there will be no further suspension of work between the present time and the laying of the cable from Bamfield to Alberni, which deviation, I trust, will effectually free the Vancouver Island line from interruptions. It is regrettable that the route, such a short time after its opening, should have been interrupted so frequently because of the badly chosen land-line. However, notwithstanding all these disadvantages, it is clear that the service is growing in public favour, mainly because the time of transmission is shorter than by the Eastern route. I also enclose copy of cablegrams exchanged with the General Manager of the Pacific Cable Board on the subject of the insertion of time and date in cable messages. I have, &c, J. G. Wabd, For the Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. [For Enclosures 1-4 in No. 299, see Nos. 274, 291, 294, and 296.]
No. 300. The Chaieman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington. g IE) _ 24, Queen Anne's Gate, S.W., 18th February, 1903. You are no doubt aware that the Eastern Telegraph Company has lately brought out a code for private and family transactions entitled the "Via Eastern" Telegraphic Social Code, and that this code has been widely circulated in Australia and New Zealand, as well as in Great Britain. As the title of this code conveys the impression that the code can only be used by the Eastern route, I write to inform you that the book is on sale at all bookstalls (price 55.), and that it can be used on any telegraph route in the world. It is true that the Eastern Telegraph Company have some proprietary rights in the copyright of the book, and that they have placed the book in their offices, and in those of the associated companies, for the purposes of senders of messages ; but I understand that the Commercial Cable Company has done the same, both in respect to this and to other codes, and that it would be open to any telegraph-office any company or Government to have a copy to which reference could be made by senders or receivers of messages. I am not aware whether the code will be on reference at the telegraph-offices of your Department, but it would seem advisable for the public to know that if they and their correspondents possess copies of the code the messages framed on the code can be sent by the Pacific or by any route. I have, &c, 8. Walpole, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Chairman, Pacific Cable Board.
No. 301. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Supeeintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th March, 1903. What is°object in your adopting "official" time, which is half an hour in advance of ours? Eastern Company at Wakapuaka recognises local time.
No. 302. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secebtaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 6th March, 1903. General Manager instructed all Pacific stations to observe a common official time, which is twelve hours ahead of Greenwich. I think I advised you of this when Vancouver section opened.
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No. 303. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 12th March, 1903. German administration state S.R. telegrams (request for repetition) are accepted free of charge for transmission over Pacific cable, contrary to Regulation 18 of International Convention. Post-master-General would be glad if you would enable him to answer this so far as New Zealand administration is concerned.
No. 304. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 12th March, 1903. Our S.R. telegrams for transmission via Pacific cable are not accepted free of charge.
No. 305. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 13th March, 1903. Please give instructions that the date be signalled in all messages, both international and intercolonial.
No. 306. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Pacific Cable Board, Sanctuary House, Tothill Street, Sir,— Westminster, London, S.W., 19th March, 1903. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th February, reporting that the settlement of the date and time question as regards telegraph messages vid Pacific had been received with the greatest satisfaction. The matter was a very difficult one to arrange, as the Atlantic companies and the telegraph administrations in the United States and Canada, which do not adhere to the International Convention, are extremely averse to supplying any information as to the original date and time free to the public, and they also naturally do not care to make special rules for dealing with Pacific traffic, forming, as it does, so small a portion of the total traffic they carry. The cost will be considerable, but the Board recognised that there was no alternative in the matter, accustomed as the public in Australia and New Zealand are to this great convenience. The Atlantic companies, though charging for the carriage of the information, were good enough to materially assist us in the arrangements necessary to give effect to the exceptional procedure required. I am, &c, C. H. Reynolds, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. General Manager.
No. 307. The Secretary of State, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 2nd April, 1903. Canadian Government has requested Cable Board, London, to allow transmission five hundred words Press news daily free of charge for three months. Do you and Australia approve? If so, send request to Cable Board.
No. 308. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 9th April, 1903. Date and time on messages to Europe : Glad to inform you that owing to further asistance of Atlantic companies we have arranged, without extra cost, a cipher which enables Homeward messages to be delivered bearing the original date and time to the nearest ten minutes instead of nearest hour.
No. 309. Messrs. Briscoe and Co., Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Victoria and Harris Streets, Wellington, 14th May, 1903. We wish to place on record our appreciation of the promptness obtained of late in connection with the receipt and despatch of cablegrams vid Pacific. We would mention one in particular which we despatched from Wellington to London at about 6 p.m. on the evening of the Bth instant, the reply to which was in our office before 9 a.m. on the 9th instant. Recently, also, our Australian cables have been delivered much more satisfactorily. Yours, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Bbisooe and Co. (Limited).
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No. 310. The Deputy Postmastke-Genbeal, Sydney, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Postmaster-General's Department, General Post Office, Sydney, Sir,— 16th May, 1903. With reference to your telegram of the 14th instant [not printed] on the subject, I have the honour to intimate that in this State the same forms are used for telegrams by both Eastern and Pacific routes, but are stamped " Vid Eastern " or " Via Pacific," as the case may be. I have much pleasure in forwarding specimens of the forms referred to. I have, &c, J. Dalgabno, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Deputy Postmaster-General.
No. 311. The Hon. the Postmastee-Gbnebal, Wellington, to the Chaieman, Pacific Cable Board, London. g IB) _ General Post Office, Wellington, 29th May, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th February last, on the subject of the code-book issued by the Eastern Telegraph Company for private and family transactions. . 1 note that it is considered desirable for the public of this colony to know that if they and their correspondents possess copies of the book the messages framed on the code can be sent by the Pacific or any other route. I have accordingly had the officers of my Department so advised, and also intimated the fact through the columns of the Press. I have, &c, J. G. Waed, Postmaster-General. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, London.
No. 312. The Sbceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manages, Pacific Cable Board, London. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 11th June, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the first ultimo [not printed] confirming your telegram of the 9th April, advising that arrangements had been completed with the Atlantic cable companies whereby the original date and time of presentation to the nearest ten minutes would be indicated on cablegrams vid Pacific. The public of New Zealand are quite satisfied with the arrangement. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, Sanctuary House, Tothill Street, Westminster, London.
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UNITED STATES PACIFIC CABLE.
No. 313. The Hon. the Acting-Premieb to the Agent-General. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 22nd October, 1902. I have the honour to refer to the current report that competition to the Pacific Gable Board for the traffic between New Zealand and North America will shortly appear in the Pacific Commercial Company as well as in the Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company. Probably you are already aware of the particulars of the agreement between the United States Government and the Paoifio Commercial Company to lay a cable between San Francisco, Honolulu, Guam, China, and Manila; but for convenience of reference I transcribe on a separate sheet what its conditions in the main are pronounced to be. This report, therefore, has all the appearance of authenticity, an appearance that is strengthened by the denial which the Manager of the Commercial Cable Company has seen fit to make—namely, that, so far as his company is concerned, the statement that it is intended to lay a cable from Honolulu to Panning Island is untrue. I attach on a separate sheet copies of the telegrams which have been published herein. Under the circumstances, it has seemed to me prudent to advert formally to this matter of competition, for the information of the Pacific Cable Board, to which I request you will be so good as to refer it. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Acting-Premier. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
Enclosure 1 in No.' 313. [Melbourne Age, 13th September, 1902.] Conditions op thb Conteaot bntebbd into between the United States Government and the Pacific Commercial Company to lay a San Feancisco, Honolulu, Guam, China, and Manila Cable. 1. The Government shall have at all times priority in the privilege of using the cable ; Government despatches shall go ahead of all other despatches sent by private individuals or other Governments. 2. The Postmaster-General shall have the right to fix the rates at which Government matter shall pass over the wires. 3. In time of war the cable shall pass absolutely under Government control. 4. The Government shall have the right to take over the cable at any time at a price fixed by a Board of Arbitrators selected in the usual manner. 5. The Cable Construction Company shall have the right to use the soundings made by the Government with a view of constructing the cable. 6. The present concession being for aline from San Francisco to Honolulu, to Guam, to China, where it will connect with the British line from Hongkong to Manila, it is stipulated that the company will, as soon as it is practicable, construct an independent live from the Chinese coast to Manila, so that the line from San Francisco to Manila shall be altogether an American-owned line.
Enclosure 2 in No. 313. (Telegram.) London, 14th October, 1902. Eeuteb's San Francisco agency reports that the Pacific Commercial Company states that the New Zealand Government's plan for a cable from Honolulu to Fanning Island has been practically accepted.
(Telegram.) New York, 15th October, 1902. The Manager of the Commercial Pacific Cable Company states that, so far as that company is concerned, the statement that it is intended to lay a cable from Honolulu to Fanning Island is untrue.
No. 314. The Director, International Bureau of Telegraph Administrations, Berne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) [Translation.] Berne, sth January, 1903. Commercial Pacific Cable Company of New York announces the laying of its cable between San Francisco, California, and Honolulu, Oahu Island, Hawaiian Group, and its opening to the public from Monday the sth January. The tariff between San Francisco and Honolulu will be 50 cents, or 2-60 fr. per word. Telegrams are subject to the rules of the extra-European system, and should bear the indication " via Commercial Pacific." The Anglo-American Telegraph Company announces that from the opening of the San Francisco-Honolulu cable the rates for telegrams despatched from Brest, Havre, or London will be 4-50 fr. per word, and will be applicable to the five North Atlantic companies.
Approximate Coat of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,475 copies), £t& 17s.
By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o3. Price Is. 6d.} 9—F. 8.
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Bibliographic details
TELEGRAPH CABLES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8, presented on the 28th August, 1902.], Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1903 Session I, F-08
Word Count
39,171TELEGRAPH CABLES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8, presented on the 28th August, 1902.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1903 Session I, F-08
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