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No. 55. The General Manager, Pacific Cable, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— Wellington, 15th March, 1902. With reference to the correspondence that has passed between the Pacific Cable Board and the New Zealand Government on the subject of the selection of the staff for the Doubtless Bay Station, I beg to report, for the information of the Postmaster-General, that my Board desired me to ascertain, on arrival in New Zealand, if the New Zealand Government had any qualified officer of the Telegraph Department who was willing to join the service of the Pacific Cable Board, and subscribe to all the conditions of that service, whom the Government could recommend for the important position of Superintendent of the Doubtless Bay Station. In accordance with these instructions, I approached you on the matter, and you were good enough to bring to my notice Mr. Charles Louis Hertslet, at present Acting Chief Postmaster of Blenheim, an officer of twenty-eight years' service, with marked electrical abilities and an unblemished record as to character. Having seen Mr. Hertslet, lam quite satisfied that that officer is well fitted for the Pacific cable service, and his colonial experience and departmental knowledge will be of special value to the Board in starting the new station with an English staff. Mr. Hertslet has passed the necessary medical examination, and I shall be prepared to appoint him to the service of the Board, with effect from the date that he ceases his connection with the New Zealand Postal Department. I beg you will convey to the Hon. Sir Joseph Ward my thanks for placing so efficient an officer at the disposal of the Board. I am, &c, C. H. Beynolds, General Manager, Pacific Cable Board. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 56. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Chairman, Harbour Board, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st March, 1902. Postmaster-General desires me to ask whether your Board would be so good as to relieve all cable-steamers belonging to the Pacific Cable Board, or engaged in laying or repairing the cable, or in other cable business, from payment of all port and harbour dues when visiting Auckland. The "Anglia," which is laying cable between Queensland, Norfolk Island, and New Zealand, is due at Doubtless Bay on Sunday next, and will probably come on to Auckland for coal and provisions. Sir Joseph Ward would feel much obliged if you could have this question settled before the " Anglia" reaches Auckland.

No. 57. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Harbour Board, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 21st March, 1902. I have the honour, by direction of the Postmaster-General, to ask whether your Board will be so good as to relieve cable-steamers belonging to the Pacific Cable Board from port dues while at Wellington. As you are no doubt aware, the Pacific cable, while under the control of a Board, is purely a Government undertaking, to which this colony is a party. I have, &c, The Secretary, Wellington Harbour Board, Wellington. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 58. The Secretary, Harbour Board, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Wellington Harbour Board, Wellington, 21st March, 1902. In reply to yours of to-day's date, asking whether the Wellington Harbour Board will relieve steamers belonging to the Pacific Cable Board from port dues whilst in Wellington : I shall have pleasure in placing your letter before the Wellington Harbour Board at its meeting on Thursday next, when I am certain that your request will receive every consideration. In the meantime I shall be glad if you will point out to me, or, if you think it desirable, obtain the opinion of the Crown Law Officers, whether under the Harbours Act or any other legislation the Board has the power to make the remission of charges sought by the Postmaster-General. So far as I am personally aware, such a power of remission does not exist. I am, &c, William Ferguson, Secretary. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.