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' No. 5. The Manager, United Press Association, to the Secretary for Telegraphs. Sir,— Wellington, 3rd May, 1880. I have just learned that, in a letter addressed to Mr. Horton on the 16th March, the Hon. the Commissioner stated that hs would allow special-wire messages put in before midnight and not finished before 1 a.m. to be completed at Press rates if marked by the senders to be so completed. On inquiry from Mr. Robertson, I learn that he has not as yet received any instructions to this effect. May I ask whether the new rule is now in force. If so, I would probably be glad to take advantage of it to-night to some slight extent, as the " Rotomahana " is at the Bluff and the Pr'isco mail will probably arrive during the evening. As I have failed to see you personally, I should esteem a reply in time to instruct agents as a favour. I have, &c, The Secretary, New Zealand Telegraphs. E. T. Gillon.

No. 6. The Secretary for Telegraphs to the Manager, United Press Association. Sir,— Wellington, 7th May, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant with reference to completing messages presented before midnight and not finished before 1 a.m., and in reply beg to inform you that I have forwarded you a copy of the letter sent to Mr. Horton, but have not yet received from Mr. Horton any acknowledgment of that letter or acceptance of the conditions therein detailed. I have, &c, The Manager. United Press Association. A. T. Maginnity.

No. 7. The Chairman" of Committee, United Press Association, to the Hon. the Commissioner of Telegraphs. Sir, — Christchurch, 131 h May, 1880. I have to apologize'for not having yet replied to your letter of the 15th March, addressed to Mr Horton, and since forwarded to me, wherein you reply to the request for a fresh lease of a special wire (under modified conditions) to this Association. I note with satisfaction that, though the Grovernment has grave doubts whether legal authority at present exists to grant such a lease, it will propose legislation on the subject at the coming session of Parliament. I regret that, owing to the Committee not having met since the date of your letter, I am unable to inform you in detail whether the various propositions contained in that letter meet the views of the Association, but hope to be in a position at an early date to give a definite reply. In the meantime I shall feel obliged if you will, in accordance with your promise, direct that " Messages put in before midnight and not finished before 1 a.m. may be completed at Press rates if marked by the senders to be so completed." I have, &a., The Hon. the Commissioner of Telegraphs. Vm. Beeves.

No. 8. The Secretary for Telegraphs, to the Chairman of Committee, United Press Association. Sir,— Wellington, 31st May, 188<X I am directed by the Hon. the Telegraph Commissioner to enclose to you the copy of a memorandum addressed to him upon the subject of the concession made to the United Press Association in my letter of the 15th March, whereby special-wire matter presented before midnight and remaining untransmitted at the hour of closing might be completed at Press rates if specially marked. The Commissioner presumes that the concession above named will not be required on the evenings of Saturday and Sunday, but, to avoid any misunderstanding, has, before giving any positive instructions on the point, directed me to forward to you a copy of the memorandum. Awaiting your reply, I have, &c, The Chairman of Committee, United Press Association. A. T. Maginnity.

Enclosure in No. 8. Memoraditm. The Hon. the Commissioner. Referring to the concession granted to the Press Association, enabling them to clear all specialwire work put in before midnight and remaining untransmitted at hour of closing special wire, at Press rates, I beg to recommend that such concession should not apply to the evenings of Saturday and Sunday, excepting in very special cases, such as the arrival of the English mail at Auckland or the Bluff. I think this consideration is due to the officers of the department, as their hours of duty during the remaining days of the week are both long and arduous.