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Sydney, of 23rd April, and reply of same date; also, i'rom Hon. Robert Ramsey, Melbourne, to Colonial Secretary, Wellington, on 27th April, and reply thereto on 29th April. No reply to this latter message lias been received, and the Commissioner directs me to say that the reason amount has not been paid is that New Zealand was, in the first plaee. asked to pay half-year's subsidy, when only quarter due, and then the amount is in excess of what it was understood New Zealand would be called upon to pav. As soon as the question of amount payable by New Zealand is settled, our Agent-General will be instructed to pay amount due.—C. Lemon.

No. 39. The Superintendent, Cable Company, Sydney, to the Superintendent of Telegraphs, Wellington, 'llth May, 1880. Cracknell tells me Western Australia agrees join ; Tasmania and Queensland refuse ; and that proportions are : New South Wales, £9,615 2s. 7d. ;' Victoria, £12,829 Gs. 4d.; South Australia, £3,445 10s. Bd.; Western Australia, £417 2s. Gd.; New Zealand, 6,092 17s. lid.—-Taylor.

No. 40. The Superintendent, Cable Company, Sj^dney, to the Superintendent of Telegraphs, Wellington. 12th May, 1880. In my service re duplication subsidy, Bth instant, please read, "Agreed second quarter due end April; by agreement first quarter subsidy due end Januarv, second quarter end April." Please say if vour Agent-General instructed, pay, or can I do anything else explain matters. —Tayloe.

No. 41. The Superintendent of Telegraphs, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Cable Company, Sydney. 13th May, 1880. The Commissioner desires to know how two quarters' subsidy can be due at the end of April, when cable only open for traffic on 28th January. Please reply. —C. Lemon.

No. 42. The Superintendent, Cable Company, Sydney, to the Superintendent of Telegraphs, Wellington. 14th May, 1880. See clauses 8 and 9, London agreement. —Taylor.

No. 43. The Superintendent of Telegraphs, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Cable Company, Sydney. 14th May, 1880. We have no copy of tho London agreement. —C. Lemon.

No. 44. The Superintendent, Cable Companv, Wakapuaka, to the Superintendent of Telegraphs, Wellington. 14th May, 1880. Herewith forward for your assistance copy of clauses 8 and 9of London agreement. With regard to payment of subsidy, clause 8 states that the subsidy of £32.400 is to bi; paid by equal quarterly payments, for the period of twenty years, to be computed from the day when the cables shall be laid and open for use ; or, if such last-mentioned day shall happen within eight calendar months from the Ist July, 1879, then to be computed from the expiration of four calendar months after such lastmentioned day. Clause 9 says that, if tho cables are laid within eight calendar months from the Ist of July, 1879, the first of such quarterly payments shall become due at the expiration of seven calendar months from the said Ist July, 1879. Is this sufficiently explicit? You will see the first quarters' subsidy was due on 31st January, and the second quarter on 30th April.—J. S. Shapley.

No. 45. The Postmaster-General. Wellington, to the Hon. Eobert Bamsay, Melbourne. 15th May, 1880. Beg to request reply to my message of 29th April. Have received communication from Company ; but, as New Zealand has no arrangement with the Company, information required from yourself.— John Hall.

No. 46. The Chiep Secretary, Victoria, to the Postmaster-General, Wellington. 21st May, 1880. Be cable subsidy. Begret delay in replying to yonr telegram of 29th April. Beference to contract. Clauses 8 and 9 will show that cable having been opened within the time, first payment became due on Ist February, and second on Ist May. Queensland and Tasmania decline to join in subsidy; therefore fresti adjustment necessary, and on population basis, proportions are: Victoria, £12,829 Gs. 4d.; New South Wales, £9,G15 2s. 7d. ; South Australia, £3,445 10s. Sd. ; New Zealand, £6,092 17s. lid. ; Western Australia, £417 2s. 6d. Please instruct your Agent-General to inform AgentGeneral of New South Wales that you contribute. See clause 11 of contract. Highly desirable no farther delay take place in concluding the matter. —Chief Secretary, Victoria.

No. 47. The Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Chief Secretary, Victoria. Wellington, 29th May, 1880. Be cable subsidy. Under your explanation this Government is willing to pay share cable subsidy without prejudi - to condition stated in Mr. Fisher's telegram 31st May last, that the adoption of the scheme by New Zealand is subject to approval of its Parliament. We have never seen copy of London agreement quoted by you. If you will send one, we will give necessary instructions to our AgentGeneral. —John Hall.

By Authority : GtEOKGE Didsbuet, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBo.

Price 9d.]