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REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OP THE POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH CONFERENCE HELD IN NEW ZEALAND, IN MARCH, 1894

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBEES, WELLINGTON. Monday, sth March, 1894. The Postal and Telegraph Conference met at 10 a.m. on Monday, the sth March, 1894, when the under-mentioned gentlemen, representing the colonies hereunder named, were present—viz.:— New South Wales The Hon. John Kidd, M.L.A., Postmaster-General. S. H. Lambton, Esq., Deputy Postmaster-General. P B. Walker, Esq., M.1.C.E., M.1.E.E., Secretary, Telegraph Service. Victoria: The Hon. Agar "Wynne, M.L.C., Postmaster-General. J Smibert, Esq., Deputy Postmaster-General. South Australia The Hon. John Alexander Cockbuen, M.D., Lond., Minister of Education and Agriculture. Sir Charles Todd, K.C.M.G , M.A., E.E.S., &c, Postmaster-General and Superintendent of Telegraphs. Queensland The Hon. Walter Horatio Wilson, M.L.C., Postmaster-General and Minister of Education. J McDonnell, Esq., Under-Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department, and Superintendent of Telegraphs. Western Australia The Hon. Stephen Henry Parker, Q.C., M.L.C., Colonial Secretary B. A. Sholl, Esq., Postmaster-General and General Superintendent of Telegraphs. Tasmania The Hon. Joseph George Ward, M.H.E., Colonial Treasurer, PostmasterGeneral, and Electric Telegraph Commissioner, Minister of Marine, Commissioner of Customs, and Minister of Industries and Commerce, New Zealand. New Zealand The Hon Joseph George Ward, M.H.E., Colonial Treasurer, PostmasterGeneral, and Electric Telegraph Commissioner, Minister of Marine, Commissioner of Customs, and Minister of Industries and Commerce. W Gray, Esq., Secretary, Posts and Telegraphs. J K. Logan, Esq., Telegraph Engineer APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT. On motion of the Hon. Mr Kidd (New South Wales), Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the Hon. Mr Ward (New Zealand) be President of this Conference. ADMISSION OF THE PEESS. On motion of the Hon. Mr Ward (New Zealand), seconded by the Hon. Dr Cockburn (South Australia), Resolved, That the Press be admitted to the meetings of this Conference. PEESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The Hon. the President then addressed the Conference, as follows Gentlemen I desire, in the name and on behalf of New Zealand, to welcome you to this colony I assure you it affords me the greatest possible pleasure to have you amongst I—F 2.