E.—No. 7.

8

PAPERS RESPECTING PURCHASE OE ELECTRIC

No. 611'.

No. 915-

No. 200, Feb. 28, 1867.

I shall have the honor to submit at an early date certain alterations and modifications in tho Rules and Regulations now in force, rates of charges for private messages, and other matters which appear to me to be necessary to ensure tho successful working of the line in a commercial point of view. I have, &c, W. Weaver, To His Honor the Deputy Superintendent, Auckland. Engineer-in-Chief.

No 11. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. the Colonial Secretary to Mr. F. W thitaker. (915.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sfß,— Wellington, sth December, 1866. In reference to your letter of the 17th ultimo I have the honor to forward to you a copy of a Memorandum by the Honorable the Postmaster-General, on the subject of the Auckland and Waikato Telegraph, and to request your Honor to be good enough to give effect to the recommendations contained therein. I have, &c, E. W. Stafford. His Honor F. Whitaker, G overnment Agent, Auckland.

Enclosure in No. 11. Memorandum by the Hon. tho Postmaster-General. While I do not think that under existing circumstances it would be wise to attempt to place tho A.uckland and Waikato Telegraph under the management of Mr. Sheath, it must be borne in mind that being now the property of the Colonial Government, it is subject to " The Electric Telegraph Act, 18G5," and to the Tariff and Regulations issued under the authority of that Act. Copies of these documents are enclosed. I submit the Agent to the General Government be informed accordingly, and bo requested to consider this telegraph as under his immediate control, the working of it to be regulated a» far as possible by the regulations above mentioned. The staff proposed should be sanctioned temporarily, but as it appears large in comparison with that provided for the telegraph in the South, a return should be furnished of the business transacted at each station during tho last six months, and of tho revenue derived therefrom, distinguishing messages for the Military Authorities, the General Government, the Provincial Government, and the public. This return could probably be obtained from the Military Authorities, but if not, a return in the above form should be furnished at the expiration of two months from the present time. John Hall. 4th December, 1866. lam not aware from what vote these expenses are to be paid. No vote was taken for them, because at the time of the passing of the Appropriation Act it was intended this telegraph should bo transferred to the Provincial Government. John Hall.

No. 12. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. the Colonial Secretary to Mr. F. Whitaker. (No. 20.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Sir,— 28th February, 1867. In reference to my letter of tho sth December, enclosing a Memorandum by the Hon. the Postmaster-General, on the subject of the Auckland and Waikato Telegraph, and requesting you to give effect to the recommendations therein contained, 1 have the honor to request that you will give directions that there should be no unnecessary delay in furnishing the returns referred to by Mr. Hall of the business transacted at each station during the last six months, and of the revenue derived therefrom, distinguishing messages for the Military Authorities, the General Government, the Provincial Government, and the public. It will further be necessary that half-yearly returns should be forwarded, of all furniture and articles in charge, for the information of the Auditor of Public Accounts. I have, &c, The General Government Agent, &c, W. Rolleston, Auckland. Acting Under Secretary.

No. 13. Copy of a Letter from Mr. F. Whitakee to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. (No. 816.) Office of the Agent for the General Government, Sir,— Auckland, llth March, 1867. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, of the number and date quoted in tho margin, referring to yours of the sth of December last, which enclosed a copy of a Memorandum from tho Hon. the Postmaster-General, calling for certain returns connected with tho Electric Telegraph in this Province, and requesting mo to give directions that there should be no unnecessary delay in furnishing those returns. In reply I beg leave to assure you that the letter to which you refer, viz., that of sth December, 1866, was referred by me to the Superintendent of Telegraph, immediately after its receipt at this office, requesting him to give effect to the instructions it conveyed.