F.—B,

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No. 98. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Downing Street, 25th March, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, copies of an Order in Council extending to British vessels on the high seas the provisions of " The Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1904." 2. It will be seen that the provisions of that Act will not apply in any case in which wireless telegraphy is being worked on board a British vessel registered in a British possession in accordance with the terms of a license granted by the proper authority in such British possession. This provision has been inserted to avoid any possibility of the incurring of penalties under the Act by persons acting on the strength of a duly granted colonial license. 3. I shall shortly send to you copies of the form of license for the working of wireless telegraphy on board ships which will be issued in this country. 4. I have to request that your Ministers will supply me with copies of any licenses for the working of wireless telegraphy on board ships already issued by them, and intimate the names of the vessels holding such licenses, for the information of the Postmaster-General. I shall also be glad if in future I may be informed of the names of any vessels to which licenses are issued, and of the terms of such licenses. I have, Ac, Elgin. Governor the Right Honourable Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., Ac. [For reply see No. 101.] [ Tel. 08/389(10).] Enclosure in No. 98. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, The 29th day of February, 1908. Present: The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Whereas it is provided by " The Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1904," that it shall be lawful for His Majesty in Council to order that the said Act shall, subject to any conditions, exceptions, and qualifications contained in the Order, apply during the continuance of the Order to British ships whilst on the high seas : Now, therefore, His Majesty, in pursuance and exercise of the powers in this behalf by the said Act of Parliament or otherwise in him vested, is pleased by and with the advice of his Privy Council to order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows :— 1. " The Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1904," shall apply to British ships whilst on the high seas, provided that a person on board a British ship which is registered in any British possession (other than the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), or in any British protectorate, shall not be deemed to commit an offence against " The Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1904," by reason of the installation or working of wireless telegraphy on such ship if the authority in such possession or protectorate, having power by law so to do, shall have granted a license for the installation and working of apparatus for wireless telegraphy on that ship, and if such person is acting in accordance with the provisions of such license. 2. " The Interpretation Act, 1889," shall apply for the purpose of the interpretation of this Order as it applies for the purpose of the interpretation of an Act of Parliament. 3. This Order shall be published in the London Gazette, and shall come into operation immediately from and after the expiration of three months after this Order is so published. 4. This Order may be cited as " The Wireless Telegraphy Order, 1908." A. W. Fitzroy.

No. 99. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Director, International Bureau of Telegraphic Administrations, Berne. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, Ist April, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of the Ist January, 1907, asking to be supplied with a list of radio-telegraph stations established in New Zealand, and to inform you that no stations have yet been opened by this Administration. I have, Ac, D. Robertson, Secretary The Director, International Bureau of Telegraphic Administrations (International Radio-telegraphic Convention), Berne. [Tel. 08/889(6).]