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Postmaster-General has decided to give the requisite notice of the intention of this colony to withdraw from the agreement, dated the 13th December, 1892, between this Government and the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), in terms of the provisions of clause 6 thereof, and the Agent-General has been instructed accordingly I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney W Geay, Secretary [Letters of the same tenor to the Postmaster-General, Adelaide, the Postmaster-General, Perth , and the Secretary, General Post Office, Hobart.]

No. 17. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manageb in Austealasia, Eastern Extension Company Sib, — General Post Office, Wellington, 25th January, 1895. 1 have the honour to inform you that, following on the action of Victoria in withdrawing from the cable guarantee agreements, the Postmaster-General has decided to give the requisite notice of the withdrawal of New Zealand from the agreement dated the 13th December, 1892, between this Government and your company, in terms of the provision of clause 6 thereof. The Agent-General has been instructed accordingly I have, &c, W Geay, Secretary The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Melbourne.

No. 18. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Genebal. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 17th April, 1895. Referring to my letter of the 21st January last, I have now the honour to inform you that the Hon. Mr Ward telegraphs [not printed] that the arrangements in connection with the continuation of the cable guarantee have now been completed. Such being the case, it will not be necessary to notify the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, as indicated in my letter abovequoted, and I understand that the Hon. Mr Ward has advised you to this effect. I have, &c, Sir Westby B. Perceval, K.C.M.G., R. J Seddon. Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 19. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 22nd March, 1895. Referring to your letter of the 21st January last, I beg to state that I have been informed by the Hon. Mr. Ward that an agreement had been made at the Conference at Hobart which does away with the necessity of giving notice to the Eastern Extension Anstralasia and China Telegraph Company that New Zealand intends to withdraw from the agreement of the 13th December, 1892. Under these circumstances I do not propose to issue the notice. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W B. Peeceval.

No. 20. Memorandum from the Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peemiee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 15th May, 1895. Eastern Telegraph Company's Agreement. I beg to transmit for the information of the Government six prints [see enclosure in No. 21], received from the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company, of the new agreement, completed on the 30th April, 1895, for continuing the guarantee arrangement as to rates between that company and the contributing Governments. One part of the agreement, in original, is retained in this department. W. B. Peeceval.