F.—4a

1880. NEW ZEALAND.

DUPLICATION OF TELEGRAPH CABLE FROM PORT DARWIN (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of F.-4, 1880.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency,

No. 1. The Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney. 16th June, 1880. fie cable subsidy. Instructions sent to our Agent-General for payment two quarters' subsidy. Papers will be laid before Parliament forthwith, but after full consideration this Government cannot recommend Parliament to confirm the agreement.—John Hall.

No. 2. The Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Chief Seceetabt, Melbourne. 16th June, 1880. (Same as to Postmaster-General, Sydney.)

No. 3. The Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. 16th June, 1880. Be cable subsidy. Eegret your decision ; hope you will re-consider it. We consider Mr. Fisher's telegram of thirty-first May, seventy-nine, pledged your Government to join and to recommend your Parliament to confirm agreement. Please bear in mind if New Zealand does not join, you will not have use of new cable if old interrupted.—Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney.

No. 4. The Chief Seceetabt, Melbourne, to the Colonial Seceetabt, Wellington. 19th June, 1880. Be cable subsidy. The telegram dated 3Lst May, 1879, from Mr. Fisher, your late Postmaster-General, states as follows : " New Zealand joins in scheme for duplication as finally proposed as per printed memo, of agreement dated 4th December, 1878, of course subject to consent of Parliament, which meets early" in July. A sum sufficient to meet New Zealand's proportion of subsidy will be placed on estimates." We consider this pledged your Government to recommend and endeavour to secure the sanction of Parliament. Upon this understanding we made our calculations for payment of subsidy, and so intimated to other colonies and Company. We are certain you will on reconsideration see that you cannot withdraw from the position taken by your predecessor. —Bobebt Ramsat.

No. 5. The Hon. H. Paekes, Sydney, to the Colonial Seobetaet, Wellington. 19th June, 1880. (Same as from Chief Secretary, Melbourne.)

No. 6. The Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Chief Seceetabt, Melbourne. 22nd June, 1880. Cable duplication. In compliance with your wish, will submit resolution which will afford Parliament opportunity of confirming agreement if it thinks proper. But Government consider the terms so inequitable to New Zealand that they cannot advocate confirmation. —John Hall.

No. 7. The Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Colonial Seceetabt, Sydney. 22nd June, 1880. (Same as to Chief Secretary, Melbourne.)

By Authority : (Jeobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington. —1880.