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1. Guarantees in connection with losses caused by the reduction of the rates on foreign telegrams transmitted over the European cable and the South Australian land-line— vide agreement with the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), dated 31st March, 1891, and the agreement between the contracting colonies, dated Ist November, 1892. 2. The guarantee in connection with losses caused by the reduction of rates on telegrams transmitted over the New Zealand cable— vide agreement with the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), dated 13th December, 1892, and agreement between the contracting colonies, dated 10th February, 1894. 3. This Government will also, from the 30th April, 1895, cease to contribute to the subsidy now paid to the Government of Tasmania in connection with the Tasmanian cable— vide clause 2 of the agreement above quoted of the Ist November, 1892. I have therefore to request that you will be so good as to cause the necessary notice of the termination of the agreement dated 13th December, 1892, to be given to the Cable Company by the Agent-General for New Zealand (who signed the agreement on behalf of the contracting colonies), by leaving, such notice at the office of the company in London before the 30th March next. The Government of South Australia has been requested to have a similar notice given to the Cable Company in connection with the agreement dated 31st March, 1891. ... ■ ■ I have, &c, ~. , The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. . Geobge Tuenee, Premier.

No. 13. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managee in Austbalasia, Eastern Extension Company Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 12th December, 1894. I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th ultimo, in reference to the intention of the Victorian Government to withdraw from the cable guarantees. The Hon. Mr. Ward has strongly urged the Postmaster-General of Victoria to reconsider the determination of that colony to withdraw from the guarantees, and at the same time has cabled the other contributing colonies to make joint representations to endeavour to persuade the Victorian Government to continue existing arrangements. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary W Warren, Esq., Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Melbourne.

No. 14. ; " '■■''■'< The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Genebal.' Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 21st January, 1895. I have the honour to inform you that the Victorian Government has given notice of its intention to withdraw from the guarantee in connection with the reduction in the rates for telegrams transmitted over the New Zealand-New South Wales cable. I have therefore to request that, in accordance with clause 6 of the agreement signed by you on the 13th December, 1892, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, you will be so good as to notify the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company not later than one calendar month prior to the 30th April next that this colony intends to withdraw on that date from the agreement in question. Sir Westby B. Perceval, K.C.M.G., Agent-General for I have, &c, New Zealand, London. B. J. Seddon.

No. 15. The Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Melbourne. Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 24th January, 1895. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th ultimo, notifying that it is the intention of your Government to withdraw, as from the 30th April next, from the guarantees and contribution to subsidy described therein under headings numbered 1, 2, and 3. I have informed the Agent-General for this colony of your intention, and have requested him at the same time to give notice of the withdrawal of New Zealand from the guarantee in connection with the reduction in the rates for telegrams transmitted over the New Zealand-New South Wales cable, as set forth in the agreement dated the 13th December, 1892. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Melbourne. E. J Seddon, Premier

No. 16. j The Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 25th January, 1895. I have the honour to inform you that, the Government of Victoria having requested this Government to give notice of its withdrawal from the Intercolonial Cable Guarantee Agreement signed by the Governors of the contracting colonies under date of the 10th February, 1894, the