3

]?.—6c

The tariff thus referred to is to be reduced as follows :—For a message not exceeding ten words between Port Darwin and London to 605., and Gs. for each additional word, the names and addresses of the sender and addressee thereof being counted as part of the message. For a like message between Port Darwin and Java to 205., and 2s. for each additional word; between Port Darwin, Singapore, India, or Penang, to 305., and 3s. per additional word; and between Port Darwin and Hong Kong to 605., and 6s. per additional word. The Company being, however, at liberty to charge (except as to messages between Port Darwin and London) any transmission or transit charges of the Governments of the countries at which the message will have to be delivered, or through which it will be transmitted. If the rates the Company may have to pay between Madras and London are hereafter reduced more than Is. below £1 75., including the charges made by the Indian Government, then during the continuance of such reduction, the tariff between Port Darwin and London is to be reduced in like manner; but if the Company have to pay an increased rate beyond the present rate, they may determine the arrangement as to the reduced tariff, in which case the subsidies of £20,000 are to cease to be payable. If the subsidies of £20,000 become payable, then, so long as the same are payable, the Company are to keep open for use and in good repair and condition all lines of cables or telegraph wire belonging to or worked by them between any of the places previously mentioned, except between Singapore and Hong Kong. The subsidies of £20,000 are to be reduced for every day during which the lines of cable or telegraph wire lastly mentioned are not in good working order and condition and open for use, in excess of au aggregate period of thirty days in any year computed from the day when the subsidies of £20,000 shall commence, until the cable or wire shall be again in good working order and condition and open for use for a continuous period of 183 days. The Governors of the colony or either of them contributing the subsidies may give notice to the Company in London to determine the agreement as regards such colony; but if the Company can satisfy the Governors or Governor giving the notice that all reasonable efforts to repair or replace without delay the cable or wire thus out of repair have been and are being made, then such period is to be extended as the Governor or Governors shall determine, but no extension is to be granted to make up a period in excess of eighteen calendar months. The agreement then provides as to how notices, <&c, on behalf of the Governors or Australian Governments are to be given. It also provides how notices may be served on the Company; and lastly, it stipulates that neither the Governors nor yourselves shall be individually personally responsible in respect of the said agreement. An arrangement has been come to between the Company and the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company for the necessary cable according to a new design, which, after a thorough investigation by Messrs. Clarke, Ford and Co., the Engineers of the Eastern Extension &c. Telegraph Company, has been approved by them, and we are daily expecting to receive a copy of their report, that you may approve the form of cable. We think that the colonies may be congratulated upon the arrangements you have secured for them —and this practically without imposing any burden upon them, for it cannot be doubted that the subsidy which has to be paid will be adequately compensated for in the reduced tariff for messages which you have, in consideration thereof, secured. It is to be hoped that the other Australian colonies will see the great importance of securing the reduced tariff by the cable north of Port Darwin, which will more than compensate for the subsidies they may have to contribute. We have, &c, The Hon. Sir J. Vogel and Sir D. Cooper. John Mackbell and Co.

No. 2. Messrs. John Mackbell and Co., to the Hon. the Colonial Secbetaet. Sie, — 21 Cannon Street, London, 9th July, 1875. We have received at the last moment of the mail leaving, from the Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited) a copy of the report of their Engineers upon the cable proposed to be laid down between New Zealand and Sydney. We have no instructions from Sir Julius Vogel as to forwarding this to you, and have not time to obtain any before the mail leaves; but as a copy has, by the directions of Sir Daniel Cooper, been sent to the Colonial Secretary at Sydney, we think it right a copy should be forwarded to you, and there' fore enclose the same herewith, We have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. John Mackbell and Co.

Enclosure in No. 2. Messrs. Claeke, Fobd, and Co., to the Easteen Extension &c. Telegraph Company. New Zealand Cable. Gentlemen, — 2, Pope's Head Alley, Lombard Street, Ist July, 1875. We have made several experiments on the new form of cable proposed by the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company to be laid between Australia and New Zealand ; and as we understand from you that time presses, we hasten to give you the benefit of our opinion, so far as it goes, up to the present time. We consider that the cable in question has much to recommend it as an economical form of deepsea cable for depths exceeding 800 or 1,000 fathoms, and we have no doubt that it is one that will probably be much used in the future where economy is essential.