E.—2a

1873. NEW ZEALAND.

ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH CABLES, (FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency. No. 1. Hon. J. Voqel to the Hon. tho Colonial Seceetaet, New South Wales. Sic,— Sydney, 3rd March, 1873. I have the honor, on behalf of Mr. Reynolds and myself, to state that, should you think it desirable that soundings should be made at the cost of the two Governments for the cable between New South Wales and New Zealand, we shall be prepared to recommend to our Government to pay onehalf of the cost of such soundings, provided that the amount so to be paid by New Zealand shall not exceed £600. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New South Wales. Julius Vogel.

No. 2. Mr. Audlet Coote to Hon. J. Yogel. Hobartown, 20th March, 1873. —I have received reply to my telegram from my principals in London, dated yesterday, stating Company formed and registered for direct telegraphic communication between New Zealand, Australia, and London. They are also prepared with deposit of ten thousand pounds. Audlet Coote.

No. 3. Mr. Audlet Coote to Hon. J. Vogel. Sib,— Hobart Town, 29th April, 1873. I had the honor to address you on the 20th ultimo by telegraph, which I now beg to confirm. With regard to the powers of attorney and contracts, I have not yet been able to send you copies, the originals having been left with the Hon. H. Parkes in Sydney, for the purpose of referring to them when the telegraph business came before the Legislature. At the time I left them, it was understood these documents would be required in a few days That gave me no time to have them copied; hence the reason of ray not being able to send them on to you as promised. Permit me also to inform you, I have just received a telegram from the Hon. Saul Samuel (copy of which I enclose), that makes it unnecessary for those documents to be in Sydney until their Parliament meets again. Will you kindly inform me if those documents are still required in New Zealand. I will then telegraph to Sydney and ask Mr. Samuels to forward them direct to you a* Wellington. I have also to thank you for copies of the printed correspondence on the subject of submarine cables. I have, &c, The Hon. J. Vogel, C.M.G., Postmaster-GeneraL Audlit Coote.

Enclosure in No. 3. The Hon. Saul Samtjel to Mr. Audley Coote. This Government could not submit'agreement respecting cables to Parliament this Session. "Will do so early next; which will be nearly as soon as most other Colonies can submit to their Parliaments. Saul Samuel.

Saul Samue_

No. 4. The Hon. J. Vogel to Mr. Audlet Coote. Sic,— General Government Offices, Wellington, N.Z., 20th May, 1873. I have been instructed by the Hon. Mr. Vogel to acknowledge his receipt of your letter of April 29th, in which you explain why you had been unable promptly to send to this Colony copies of certain powers of attorney and contracts having reference to the provisional arrangement made in Sydney for the construction and laying of telegraph cables. I.—P. 2a.