ELECTRIC CABLE COMMITTEE.

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J?.—No. 4.

5. That Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania be invited to join in these proposals, but should they, or any of them, decline to do so, New South Wales, New Zealand, and Queensland pledge themselves to carry them out. 6. The scale of charges over the land lines of the various Colonies not to exceed the present rates. There being no fixed rate from the southern boundary of Queensland to tho proposed cable at tho Gulf of Carpentaria, it is agreed that the price shall not exceed 10s. for ten words, signature and address free, provided that in no case, in any of the Colonies, shall the charge be greater than tho current rates for the time being. 7. Each contracting Colony to enjoy, equally with other contracting Colonies, all rights with respect to fixing or altering the tariff, precedence of Government and urgent messages, and all other rights, powers, and privileges enjoyed by the contracting Colonies ; and it is hereby expressly stipulated that the interpretations to be put upon any doubtful point in this memorandum shall be in the direction of overcoming all obstacles in the way of bringing the Colonies into close and friendly relations with such other. 8. That copies of this memorandum be transmitted to the Colonies of Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, in the hope that they will become parties to it. 9. This memorandum to be considered provisional, and subject to the approval of Parliament in each contracting Colony, and in the event of Parliament not sanctioning it, the arrangement to be null and void. 10. The views embodied in this memorandum, it is agreed by the Hon. John Eobertson, of Now South Wales, the Hon. Julius Vogel, of New Zealand, and the Hon. Charles Lilley, of Queensland, shall be submitted to their respective Cabinets for approval. John Eobeetson. Julius Vogel. Chaeles Knight. Sydney, 6th January, 1870. For Charles Lillet, by his authority, John Eobertson.

No. 4. Memorandum respecting Telegraphic Communication between Great Britain and Australia. The Telegraphic Maintenance and Construction Company, having successfully laid three cables across the Atlantic, are now engaged in connecting Suez with Aden and Bombay. Captain Sherard Osborne has lately been in correspondence with Mr. Verdon, and advocates alternative routes, based upon subsidies to be borne entirely by the Australian Colonies, and varying in amount from £55,0C0 to £47,000 per annum. Mr. Fraser, of Batavia, has also addressed the Governments of the Australian Colonies on the same subject, and has furnished them with detailed information in connection with his project. His scheme involves an outlay of half a million, and for the purpose of obtaining this money it is proposed that a guarantee should be granted, to be equally divided between the Dutch Government and the Governments of the Australian Colonies. Mr. Fraser is at present in London, and anticipates that the Dutch Government will grant him the concession he requires, which has been recommended by the Government of NetherlandsIndia. The views entertained by the Governments of tho Southern Australian Colonies in reference to the respective merits of the rival schemes, arc at present not quite in accordance with those held by the Governments of New South Wales and Queensland; but it is believed that an examination of the conditions attached to both will result in the conviction that the proposed line via Java and Queensland recommends itself as at present the most practicable and economical. To remove, however; any hesitation which may be felt by tho Southern Colonies, and as a recognition of the confidence which the Governments of the Colonies of Queensland and New South Wales have in Mr. Eraser's project, it is suggested that these two Colonies should, if necessary, undertake the joint responsibility required, such guarantee not to exceed £17,500 per annum. This should be done, not for the purpose of receiving any exclusive benefit, but for the purpose of facilitating the arrangements subsequently to bo entered into with Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, with a view to the establishment of a ratable and proportionate guarantee to bo borne by them on a scale graduated in accordance with tho business transacted on their behalf. It is agreed that the Government of Queensland undertake the construction of the land lino to Normanton, or some other point on the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria to bo afterwards determined on. It will, of course, bo necessary that the guarantors should have a voice in fixing the scale of charges payable on the section between Australia and Java, to be from time to time subject to revision. The views embodied in this memorandum it is agreed by Mr. Eobertson and Mr. Douglas shall be submitted to their respective Cabinets. John Eobeetson. 6th October, 1869. J. Douglas.

No. 5. Sic,— Batavia, 30th April, 1869. On the 3rd of July, 1866, while visiting your Colony, I had the honor to address a letter to your predecessor in office on the subject of telegraphic communication between the Australian Colonies and Europe, by way of Java, with the view of ascertaining whether, in event of a definite proposal being made to carry out this connection, when the proper time arrived, I might be able to count upon