A.—2

5

Council indicating that it applies only to certain specified colonies. And the Governor could he instructed, under the 17th section of " The Federal Council of " Australasia Act, 1885," not to assent to any Act of Council to which the representatives of any colony or colonies had formally objected, unless it contains such a provision. 9. While, therefore, I should be unwilling to press any colony to join the Council unless and until it is satisfied that this course will be advantageous, I trust that it may be found practicable to arrange for the representation therein of New South Wales and New Zealand; and I will only add that I have had much satisfaction in assisting to pass a measure which, although in its present shape it is tentative and capable of improvement and development, may, if judiciously used, be of much value to the Australasian Colonies and to British interests generally. I have, &c, EKED. STANLEY. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

No. 6. (New Zealand, General.) Sir, — Downing Street, 11th August, 1885. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office formally notifying the adhesion of the Trench Colony of Senegal to the International Telegraph Convention. I have, &c, ERED. STANLEY. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

Enclosure. Sir, — . Foreign Office, stli August, 1885. Article XVIII. of the International Telegraph Convention requires that adhesions to that Convention should be notified to the signatory powers by the country in which the last Conference was held; and this duty therefore at present devolves upon Great Britain. As New Zealand, South Australia, Victoria, the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, New South Wales, and Tasmania are parties to this Convention, I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to request you to move the Secretary of State for the Colonies to cause the Governors of those colonies to be informed that the President of the French Republic has notified the adhesion of the French Colony of Senegal to the International Telegraph Convention, such adhesion to date from Ist July, 1885. I am to request, further, that the following particulars of the accession may be stated at the same time: (1.) Senegal will rank in the fifth class of States contributing, under Article LXXVI. of the Convention, to the expenses of the International Telegraph Office. (2.) The franc is the only money used in Senegal. (3.) The terminal rate for Senegal is at the present time included in the rate of the cable from Teneriffe to Senegal, and this rate has been already notified by the International Telegraph Office. Senegal not being as yet connected with any other cable system, there is no present occasion to consider the question of transit rates. (4.) Senegal will be included amongst the countries to which the European regulations apply. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V. Lister.

No. 7. (New Zealand, No. 54.) Sir, — Downing Street, 17th August, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 83, of the 20th June, transmitting copies of the Financial Statement made the preceding evening by the Colonial Treasurer in the House of Representatives in Committee of Supply. I have, &c., EIiED. STANLEY. Governor Sir W. F, D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., 0.8., &c.