3

F.—B

advises waiting for a few months before taking any further step in the matter. He states that there is nothing to pay on the 1895 agreement for reduced international rates, nor is there likely to be, and that the Cable Company may possibly submit some proposition. lam inclined to agree with Sir Charles Todd, but at the same time think that all the colonies should be in agreement on the point whether notice should be given now or later on. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Melbourne. W. Gbay, Secretary.

No. 10. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-Geneeal, Adelaide. Sir,-- General Post Office, Wellington, 9th March, 1899. I have to acknowledge receipt of your reply to my telegram of the 21st ultimo, in connection with the colonies giving notice under the cable agreements of 1879 and 1895. I note that you consider there is no need for immediate action, and advise waiting for a few months, with which I agree. I have replied to Melbourne to that effect. I assume that you will obtain the views of the other colonies, and see that due notice is given the company. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Adelaide. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 11. The Acting Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, to the Hon. the Premier. The Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sir,— Melbourne, 18th May, 1899. I have the honour to inform you that the message receipts for the year ended the 30th April last, under the guarantee of the Australasian Governments, amount to £330,003 ss. Id. The year's working has shown a heavy falling-off in the traffic, and the following comparative statement will show that the decrease of the previous year, amounting to £49,184, has been followed by a further decrease of £28,754 for the year just ended : — Year 1896-97—Eeceipts ...£407,941 Year 1897-98—Eeceipts ...£358,757 Year 1897-98—Eeceipts ... 358,757 Year 1898-99—Eeceipts ... 330,003 Decrease ... £49,184 Decrease ... £28,754 From the report, just published, the calculations of the Pacific Cable Committee were based on an annual increase of traffic of 10 per cent., but it will be seen that this is far from being borne out by the actual figures. I have, &c, J. Euston Squier, Acting Manager in Australasia. The Eight Hon. E. J. Seddon, P. 0., M.H.E., Premier of New Zealand, Wellington.

PKOPOSED PACIFIC CABLE. No. 12. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Memorandum.) 26th August, 1898. I beg to transmit herewith copy of letter from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, transmitting copy of despatch, with enclosures, referring to the Pacific telegraph-cable, from the officer lately administering the Government of Queensland, and copy of letter, with enclosure, from the Agent-General for Victoria. Walter Kennaway, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. For the Agent-General..

Enclosure in No. 12. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Agent-General. g IB __ Downing Street, 26th August, 1898. I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you for your information, with reference to previous correspondence respecting the proposed Pacific telegraphcable, copies of a despatch, with enclosures, on the subject from the officer lately administering the Government of Queensland, and of a letter, with enclosure, from the Agent-General for Victoria. I am, &c, C. P. Lucas, For the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The Agent-General for New Zealand.