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Queensland, and Tasmania, and yourself, with reference to the Pacific cable, together with a copy of the reply. I have, &c, W. C. Walker, for the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 62. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 20th June, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd ultimo, transmitting copy of a letter from the Colonial Office conveying the decision of the Imperial Government regarding the form and extent of the assistance it is prepared to give to the Pacific-cable scheme; also copy of cablegrams you addressed to me with reference to the decision. I have, &c, W. C. Walker, for the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 63. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 30th June, 1899. I have the honour to forward hereunder copy of a cablegram from the Agent-General for Tasmania to the Postmaster-General of that colony, forwarded by the Secretary, General Post Office, Hobart, to the Secretary, General Post Office, here. I have, &c, E. J. Seddon, Premier: The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 64. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 3rd July, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th May last, enclosing copy of a joint letter from the High Commissioner for Canada and the Agents-General of the colonies interested, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with respect to the form and extent of the assistance which the Imperial Government is prepared to give to the scheme for connecting Canada with the Australasian Colonies by direct cable. I have, &c, E. J. Seddon, Premier. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 65. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-General. Sic, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 3rd July, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th May last, enclosing copy of a further joint letter addressed by the High Commissioner for Canada and the AgentsGeneral of the colonies concerned, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the subject of the Pacific cable ; also copy of my cablegram of the 16th idem, and of your reply the same day. I have, &c, E. J. Seddon, Premier. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 66. The Hon. the Premier, Sydney, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 10th July, 1899. Following two cables were received from Agent-General on the seventh instant, and delayed through my absence from Sydney: " Pacific cable meeting, Tuesday, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, with High Commissioner for Canada, and Agents-General for New South Wales, Victoria, New Zealand, and Queensland. Imperial Government now offer to co-operate fully with colonies in raising capital for cable and in construction and management. Proposes this should be carried out by Board of Commissioners, located in London, selected by contributing Governments as follows : The United Kingdom, three members; Canada, two; Australia and New Zealand together, three. England asks for this proportion of representatives, as proposes virtually provide the capital, any annual deficiency for interest, and perhaps sinking fund, being met in proportion already agreed upon. Imperial Government suggest preliminary steps should be taken by Provisional Board thus appointed to invite tenders, arrange scheme of management, settle rates and other preliminaries with a view to preparing for legislation. Imperial Government suggests that rates should be unanimously agreed to at outset, subsequent changes to be authorised by fixed majority of Board. If you generally agree to scheme thus provisionally outlined, desirable that members of Board be notified promptly, and should be capable business men. This message to be communicated by you to the three colonies interested." Second cable reads as follows : '' Pacific cable : Message cabled to-day previously seen by Secretary of State for the Colonies and cabled by High Commissioner to Canada. It was agreed, at suggestion of Secretary of State, that should be left to Australia and New Zealand Governments to decide whether one of three Australian delegates should be specially representative of New Zealand. Please inform other Governments interested." From a cable received Saturday afternoon, above suggestion re representatives was made by Agent-General for New Zealand, not by Secretary of State.