F.—B

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No. 22. The Inspector of Telegraphs, Auckland, to the Superintendent of Electric Lines, Wellington. Auckland, 10th August, 1901. (Memorandum.) Pacific Cable. In reply to your memorandum of the 18th ultimo [not printed], I beg to report that I have seen Mr. Harris, the owner of the land to be taken for offices, &c. He accompanied me, and I pointed out to him what we required. I send herewith sketch-plan of the land, showing the position of the various buildings. I have marked off about 13-J- acres, which is all that is of any value to us. The frontage is 14 chains, with a depth of 10 chains. The eastern boundary does not run at right angles to the front. The back boundary is about 13 chains. Mr. Harris accepts £10 an acre for this piece, and will complete a deed when required to do so. I would recommend that the Survey Department be asked to instruct its officer at Mangonui to survey the section and mark off the boundaries. There is a fence along the eastern boundary and about half-way along the front from the eastern fence to the creek, but I do not think the latter portion is on the proper line. I also recommend that 15 acres of the Crown land adjoining be reserved for additional paddock accommodation. I may mention that the land in the neighbourhood is very poor, consequently all will be required. An estimate of the cost of copper wire for this work will be sent next mail. W. G. Meddings, Inspector. The Superintendent of Electric Lines, Wellington.

No. 23. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd August, 1901. Pacific cable—Station Superintendents, Doubtless Bay : Government desires nominate William Furby, now Electrician and Inspector Telegraphs, as Superintendent, and Charles Hawk, now Assistant Officer in Charge Telegraphs, Wellington, as Assistant Superintendent. Bank and file to be afterwards selected from our trained staff.

No. 24. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 23rd August, 1901. Sir, — Pacific Gable. Beferring to your letter of the 3rd July last [No. 34, F.-8, 1901], I beg herewith to transmit copy of correspondence with the Pacific Cable Board, by which it will be seen that the Board has approved of the terms of the memorandum dated the Ist July last, addressed by Mr. B. E. Peake to Sir J. G. Ward, relating to the land and buildings required at the landing-place in New Zealand for the Pacific cable. I have, &c, Walter Kennaway, for the Agent-General. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington.

Enclosure 1 in No. 24. The Secretary to the Agent-'Genekal to the Secretary, Pacific Cable Board. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 9th August, 1901. Sir, — Pacific Gable. I am directed by the Agent-General to forward herewith a copy of memorandum relating to the provision of a cable-station which Mr. B. E. Peake has submitted to Sir J. G. Ward, the Postmaster-General of New Zealand, for approval. Mr. Peake arrived at Bussell, New Zealand, on the 29th June, and was met by the Superintendent of Electric Lines, Captain Grey (the New Zealand Government cable pilot), and an architect of the New Zealand Government Public Works Department. The memorandum, copy of which I enclose, is the outcome of a proposed arrangement discussed at Melbourne between Sir J. G. Ward and Mr. Peake in connection with the control of the cablestation and Government staff by one Superintendent, instead of having two supervising officers ; and in forwarding the memorandum the New Zealand Government remark that it can be decided later on whether the Superintendent shall be appointed by the Pacific Cable Board or by the Government, but that the matter of land and buildings is of immediate concern. The Agent-General will be obliged by your submitting the memorandum to your Board for their approval, with an indication that the proposals generally have the approval of the New Zealand Government. Mr. Peake has been informed accordingly, and he will no doubt forward a similar memorandum to the Board. I am, &c, Walter Kennaway. The Secretary, Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate.