12

¥.— 8

ment, respecting the decision of the former in re charging for water supplied to H.M.C.S. " Iris " while berthed at the new wharf. I think that the Harbour Board has been very generous to place the pipes, meters, and hydrants in position free of charge. 1 note that you have written to the Board's General Manager on the subject. I am, &c, C. L. Hf.rtslet, Superintendent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [I.C. Stns. 07/20.]

No. 16. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Doubtless Bay, N.Z., Station, 17th September, 1907. Sir, — The Pacific Cable Board. Referring to our telegraphic correspondence dated the 14th instant [No. 71, F.-6, 1908J in re the missing steamer " Monowai," I beg to inform you that the Board's stations at Norfolk Island, Southport, and Sydney remain open continuously. Doubtless Bay is the only Pacific station that closes on Sundays, holidays, and after midnight on week-days. It therefore follows that the only additional attendance required to give New Zefiland a temporary continuous service is to open this office. I feel assured that the Board desires that the continuous service of the State cable should be placed at the disposal of the public during circumstances which give rise to public anxiety, such as national calamities, or when passenger steamers are seriously overdue. Ido not anticipate that the Board will expect payment for any such extended service, but will be satisfied with the revenue which may result from handling traffic during the extra attendance. I have, &c, C. L. Hertslet, Superintendent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [Acknowledged on the 27th September, 1907.] [P.C. iMisc. 07/47.]

No. 17. The High Commissioner to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London, S.W., 25th September, 1907. Sir, — Pacific Gable. I beg to enclose herein copy of a letter from the Colonial Office, covering a communication from the Imperial Treasury showing the amounts recoverable from the colonial Governments in respect of the expenses of the Pacific cable for the year ended 31st March last. It will be seen that the amount due from New Zealand was £6,102 l2s. 5d., which, after obtaining a bank order by cable from the New Zealand Treasury, I have paid by cheque on the Foreign Imprest Account, and the voucher is No. 14 in the acoount dated 10th September to Ist October, 1907, going to the Treasury by next week's mail. A copy of the accounts of the Pacific cable as presented to the House of Commons is also enclosed [Enclosure in No. 12]. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. W. P. Reeves. [Acknowledged 14th November, 1907.] [P.C. Fin. 07/37.] Enclosure in No. 17. The Under-Secretary, Colonial Office, to the High Commissioner for New Zealand. Sir,— Colonial Office, London, S.W., 23rd August, 1907. I am directed by the Earl of Elgin to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Treasury [Treasury, 16th August] on the subject of the amounts recoverable from the colonial Governments in respect of the expenses of the Pacific cable for the year ended 31st March, 1907, and to inquire whether you can arrange to pay over to the Imperial Treasury the sum of £6,102 12s. 5d., that being the amount due from the Government of New Zealand. I have, etc., The High Commissioner for New Zealand. H. Bertram Cox.