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No. 67. The Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 12th July, 1899. Re Pacific cable: New Zealand Government agrees to suggestion Imperial Government that Provisional Board should be appointed for purpose of inviting tenders, arranging scheme of management, settling rates and preliminaries, that rates should be unanimously agreed to at outset, and that subsequent changes be authorised by fixed majority of Permanent Board. It would be a graceful act on the part of Australian Colonies, and be much appreciated, if they would agree to one of the three representatives on the Board specially representing New Zealand. [Telegram in same terms on same date to the Hons. the Premiers, Melbourne and Brisbane.]

No. 68. The Hon. the Premier, Brisbane, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) Brisbane, 13th July, 1899. Re your telegram yesterday, Pacific cable: Am strongly of opinion that each contributing colony on proposed Board, whether provisional or permanent, should have separate representative with proportionally increased representation for the other contributories. I have urged this view on Government of New South Wales and have advised our Agent-General to same effect.

No. 69. The Agent-General, to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) London, 18th July, 1899. Pacific cable: Canada cables scheme favourably received. Nominating Board of representatives during the next few days. Promptness nominating Autralian delegates desirable.

No. 70. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to the Hon. the Premier, Brisbane. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd July, 1899. Concur with your views that contributing colony should have separate representation on Board. If this not obtainable, do you favour New Zealand having representation ?

No. 71. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to the Hon. the Premier, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st July, 1899. Re Pacific cable : I should be glad to have reply to my telegram of twelfth instant. Agent-General cables that promptness in nominating Australian delegates is desirable.

The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd July, 1899. Pacific cable : House of Bepresentatives considers question Tuesday basis agreement contained Agents-Generals cable sent through Premier, New South Wales, New Zealand to have representative on Board. What is position your end ? Have urged New South Wales to determine forthwith question representation. Telegraph probable increased cost cable owing rise price copper, guttapercha.

No. 73. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) London, 22nd July, 1899. Pacific cable increased £175,000. ... No further action here. Times yesterday strongly supported scheme.

No. 74. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, to the Hon. the Premier, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd July, 1899. I intend asking House of Eepresentatives next week to authorise the Government to proceed with Pacific-cable question on basis of agreement indicated in Agents-General's telegrams sent through you. Our share of cost to be as set out in our Committee's report of last year, which assumed that colonies' share would be four-ninths, New Zealand's not to exceed one-eighth of whole cost. I shall be much obliged if you will advise other Premiers. Kindly inform me what you and other Premiers intend doing.

Approximate Cost of Paper .—Preparation, not given ; printing (1,410 copies), £18 is.

By Authority: Johjj Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB99.

Prie* 9d.]