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A.—2

No. 82. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor Sir Hercules Eoeinson. (General.) Sir,— Downing Street, 22nd October, 1879. I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Post Office, accompanied by a copy of the revised regulations and tariffs adopted by the International Telegraph Conference which met in London in July last; and, in compliance with the wish expressed by the Postmaster-General, I have to request that you will obtain, and signify to me at an early date, the approval of your Government of the revised regulations and tariffs adopted by the Conference. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure in No. 82. The General Post Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — General Post Office, London, 17th October, 1879. With reference to the recent International Telegraph Conference of London, at which New Zealand was represented, I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that, as the delegates of each country represented at the Conference were furnished with a signed copy of the Revised Regulations and Tariffs for submission to their respective Governments, and as no alteration in the Telegraph Convention itself had been made, it was not considered necessary that the Government of this country should notify to the other Governments the changes which had been agreed upon at the Conference. Under the terms of tho Convention the approval of the various Governments must be given before the Revised Regulations and Tariffs can come into force; but it was understood that such approval would be conveyed to the Government of this country without any request being made for it. This view appears to have been concurred in by two foreign Governments, at least, which have already, in accordance with Article 16 of the Convention, communicated their approval of the Revised Regulations and Tariffs. Another Government, however, has inquired whether it may expect a formal notification from the Government of this country; and this raises a doubt whether others may not also be looking for such a notification. Steps are now, therefore, being taken to notify the results of the Conference, through the diplomatic channel, to all the foreign Governments concerned; and Lord John Manners thinks it right, at the same time, to send a copy of the Revised Regulations and Tariff to the Colonial Office, and to suggest that, if Sir Michael Hicks Beach sees no objection, it may be brought to the notice of the Government of New Zealand, with a view to the approval of that Government being obtained at an early date. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. S. A. Blackwood.

No. 83. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Oeeicer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Slit, — Downing Street, 10th November, 1879. I have the honor to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, the enclosed copy of a memorandum which has been prepared by the Local Government Board for the assistance of Guardians and others in framing and carrying out arrangements for the performance of public vaccination. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.