T).—No. 3

Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you that my Lords have had brought under their notice, with a view of obtaining the assistance of Her Majesty's Government, several schemes for the purpose in question. There is no doubt that the establishment of telegraphic communication with the Australian Colonies would be in all respects of great advantage, and no one could view otherwise than with much satisfaction the accomplishment of so desirable an object. My Lords however, from the information at present before them, are unable to arrive clearly at a conclusion as to what, in the collective opinions of the Australian Colonies, would be the scheme of telegraphic communication which upon the whole would be the best, nor whether they would be justified, on behalf of this country, in granting aid out of Imperial funds. It therefore appears to my Lords that, before they come to any decision on the matter and on every ground of comparative knowledge and interest, it would be expedient to adopt the suggestion contained in the letter from the Agent-General of South Australia, of 19th March last, addressed to you, viz. : —That representatives should be deputed by the various Colonies to meet together and discuss the subject in all its bearings. And they would suggest that the Duke of Newcastle, unless he sees any objection to so doing, should cause a communication, conveying suggestions to the above effect, and embracing the matters proposed in Mr. Walter's letter, to be made to the Governments of the respective Colonies concerned. I am, Ac, P. Peel. Sir F. Rogers, Bart.

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PAPERS ON TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION.