9

F.— 4

I beg that you will represent this matter fully to the Company for the purpose o'c obtaining the repayment and the reduction I have indicated, t shall be glad to receive a reply from you at the earliest date possible, in order that, when the question of approving the agreement is brought before Parliament, I may be able to explain what has been the decision of the Company. I think it not improbable that that decision may considerably influence Parliament in its vote upon an arrangement which, I am bound to say, appears to me to be, on the whole, very disadvantageous to New Zealand.— I have, &c, John Hall.

No. 30. The Postmaster-General, New South Wales, to the Postmaster-General, New Zealand. 16th April, 1880. Our iVgent-General asks if he is to give notice to Cable Company that you consent to contribute to subsidy on the ground that our advice to him, tliat you have intimated your willingness to join in payment of subsidy until the Parliament of your colony has had the opportunity of giving its sanction to the same, is not clear. Please advise. —Saul Samuel, Postmaster-General, Sydney.

No. 31. The Postmaster-General, New Zealand, to the Postmaster-General, New South Wales. 17th April, 1880. Cable subsidy. On 31st May, 1879, Postmaster-General New Zealand telegraphed you, " New Zealand joins in scheme for duplication as finally proposed as per printed memorandum of agreement dated 4th December, 1878, of course subject to consent of Parliament." As already reported, it has not yet been possible submit question Parliament, but will do so in approaching session. Meanwhile Government willing pay New Zealand's proportion of subsidy until Parliament decides. Is this sufficiently clear and explicit?—John Hall, Postmaster-General.

No. 32. The Agent-Geneeal, London, to the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. 21st April, 1880. If you pay subsidy to date to New South Whiles, and they consent, Company will give rebate to date. —Vogel.

No. 33. The Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Sydney. 23rd April, 1880. Following telegram received from Agent-General, London: "If you pay subsidy to date to New South Wales, and they consent, Company will give rebate to date." Does New South Wales give consent which appears to be required? If so, subsidy will be paid.—John Hall.

No. 34. The Postmaste a- General, Sydney, to the Postmaster-General, Wellington. 23rd April, 1.880. Sir D. Cooper was instructed by telegram on 21st instant as follows : New Zealand contributes. Give notice to Company. —Saul Samuel.

No. 35. 'Ihe Hon. Eobert Bamsay, Melbourne, to the Postmaster-General, Wellington. 27th April, 1880. Oblige by instructing your Agent-General to pay New Zealand's portion of the cable subsidy to the Company on Ist May, as Tasmania, Western Australia, and Queensland will not join. Proportions, to be paid severally bv New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and New Zealand, are £9,740 10s. Bd., £12,996 12s. 9d., £3,490 9s. 5d., and £6,172 7s. 2d. annually. Moieties of above are payable on Ist proximo.—Eobert Bamsay.

No. 36. The Commissioner of Telegraphs, Wellington, to the Hon. Eobert Bamsay, Melbourne. 29th April, 1880. Duplicate cable having only been open for traffic on 28th January, half-year's subsidy not due until 28th July. Amount payable by Now Zealand stated in Mr. Berry's letter 23rd December, 1878, to be £5,355. —John Hall.

No. 37. The Superintendent, Cable Company, Sydney, to Superintendent of Telegraphs, Wellington. Bth May, 1880. Our Company complaining that subsidy for duplication not paid, as agreed, first quarter's due on 28th April in London. Please say what New Zealand's proportion, and how arrived at. Sydney and Melbourne only colonies who have paid. There is now due for quarter £579 odd. An early reply begged. —Taylor.

No. 38. The Superintendent of Telegraphs, Wellington, to Superintendent, Cable Company, Sydney. 9th May, 1880. Be subsidy for duplication. Please see telegrams, Hon. Saul Samuel to Postmaster-General, Wellington, of lGth April, and reply to same of 17th April; also, from Hon. John Hall to Postmaster-General 2—E. 4.