F.-3

1887. NEW ZEALAND.

TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND AUSTRALASIAN COLONIES VIÂ PACIFIC CABLE, VANCOUVER'S ISLAND, CANADIAN LAND LINE ROUTE, AND ATLANTIC CABLE. (PAPERS RELATING TO).

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

No. 1. Messrs. Coote and Eowan, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. g IB) . 29, Queen Street, Melbourne, 21st January, 1886. We have the honour to inform you that we are about to lay before the Federal Council, and the Australian Colonies generally, a proposal for establishing cable communication with Great Britain and Europe via the Pacific and America. We are acting as the representatives of a powerful syndicate, and we advise you of our intentions thus early because it seems possible that NewZealand might desire to co-operate in such a scheme, by which cable rates will be materially reduced, and communication opened up with America. The proposals submitted by us to the Federal Council, and the calculations accompanying them, are now in the printer's hands. Copies will be forwarded for your consideration at the earliest possible moment. We have, &c, AUDLEY COOTH. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, New Zealand. F. C. Eowan.

No. 2. Mr. W. Kennaway to the Hon. the Commisbionee of Telegraphs, Wellington. g IB 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 11th August, 1886. I transmit to you herewith copies of letters I have received from the High Commissioner of Canada, relating to the project for establishing direct telegraphic communication between the Dominion and Australasia. At present it seems not to have reached beyond the stage of preliminary consideration and discussion, from which it is hardly likely to emerge unless the Imperial Government should give it active encouragement and large pecuniary support. I have, &c, Walter Kennaway, The Hon. the Commissioner of Telegraphs, Wellington. (for the Agent-General.)

Enclosure 1. Sir Charles Tuppeb to the Agent-General for New Zealand. g IE _ 9, Victoria Chambers, S.W., 28th July, 1886. With reference to our recent meeting respecting the establishment of direct telegraphic communication between Canada and Australasia, I now beg to send you, as arranged, some letters and memoranda, containing a definite proposal, prepared by Mr. Saudford Fleming and the other gentlemen who undertook to go thoroughly into the question. I shall be glad if you will be so good as to bring the subject before your Government, at your convenience, for consideration ; and I venture to hope that they will give you such instructions as will enable us to take some further steps towards bringing about so desirable an object. The Ao-ent-General for New Zealand, I have, &c, 7 Westminster Chambers, S.W. Charles Tupper.

Sub-Enclosure. Documents in reference to the Establishment of Direct Telegraphic Connection between Austbalia, New Zealand, Canada, and Great Bbitain. Order in Council in reference to the Establishment of Telegraphic Connection between the Australian Colonies, Canada, and Great Britain. g IE __ Privy Council, Canada, Ottawa, 10th June, 1886; By direction of the Eight Honourable the President of the Council, I forward you a copy of an Order in Council, dated the Bth June, 1886, with respect to the subject of the proposed I—F. 3.