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11th MAY 1878. Present : The Honorable Graham Berry, in the Chair : The Honorable J. F. Burns, The Honorable J. P. Boucaut, Tho Honorable C. S. Mem, C. Todd, Esq., C.M.G., The Honorable Sir J. M. Wilson, The Honorable H. Cuthbert. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Cuthbert moved, seconded by Sir James Wilson—" That Mr. Todd be examined on the subject matter of the inquiry." —• Carried unanimously. At the request of the Members of the Conference, Mr. Boucaut proceeded to examine Mr. Todd. Mr. Cuthbert laid before the Conference copy of a telegram from the Colonial Secretary of Western Australia, explaining the basis on wliich that Government would contribute to a second line of telegraph, and moved—" That it be printed as an appendix to tho minutes of the day."— Carried unanimously. The following is the telegram referred to :— Telegram for the Honorable the Chief Secretary of Victoria. Perth, Western Australia, 6/4/78. The subjoined telegram has this day been forwarded by this Government to that of South Australia, in re Cable Conference :— " Eeplying to your telegram of March 20th, inviting this Government to send a representative to tho Conference to be held at Melbourne on 25th April, to consider the question of duplicating cable, I would ask Colonel Glover's scheme alone to be considered. This colony is willing to consent to any negotiations for a cable to start from its shores either to Banjoewangie, Anjer, or Ceylon, and will construct land lines necessary to connect same, besides paying its proportion towards relieving South Australia of great cost of Darwin line, also contributing its quota for new cable, such being calculated either on basis of population or revenue. If a scheme of this nature will receive fair consideration, this Government will depute Mr. Fraser to represent it." SOGER TTJCKFIELD GOLDSWORTHY, Colonial Secretary. The Conference adjourned until Wednesday next, 15th instant, at half-past ten a.m. GRAHAM BERRY, President.

15th MAY 1878. Present: The Hon. Graham Berry, in the Chair ; The Honorable J. F. Burns, The Honorable J. P. Boucaut, The Honorable C. S. Mem, C. Todd, Esq., C.M.G., The Honorable Sir J. M. Wilson, The Honorable H. Cuthbert. The Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The President laid before the Conference a letter he had received that morning from the Government of New Zealand, embodying the views of that Government on certain points in connection with the project of laying down a duplicate cable. The letter was ordered to be read and entered on the Minutes of tho day. The following is the letter referred to :— 102. New Zealand. Sir, Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Ist May 1878. I havo the honor to inform you that, owing to the near approach of the Session of Parliament and the consequent number of important matters occupying the attention of Ministers, this Government exceedingly regret being unable to send a representative to the Cable Conference ; and they accordingly desire to take this opportunity of placing before the other Members of the Conference their views as to tho proposed duplication. It appears to this Government that the question resolves itself into the three following heads :— Firstly.—As to the route the cable should follow. Secondly. —As to the basis upon wliich the subsidy shall be distributed ; and Thirdly.' —As to what proportion of the subsidy the Imperial Government should be called upon to contribute. 2. As regards the route, we are of opinion that a survey of both routes, viz., that from Port Darwin to Singapore, touching at Banjoewangie, and that from North-West Cape to Singapore, also touching at Banjoewangie, should be made before the choice of either can be decided upon finally. The New Zealand Government will bo willing to contribute their share towards such survey. 3. This Government have gone carefully into the question of subsidy proposed by the Eastern Extension Company for the duplication of the cable by either of the above routes, as also the proposal as to the sinking fund, and beg to express their views as follows : The Government think that the payment of the subsidy by tho several colonies should be assessed on the money value of the telegrams passing