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F.—B

No. 71.

His Excellency the Governor to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. Government House, Wellington, (Memorandum.) 29th March, 1902. The Governor has been requested by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to thank the Post-master-General for his telegram announcing the landing of the Pacific cable at Doubtless Bay. He appreciates receiving the first message sent over the Australasian section, and shares in the hope of its speedy completion, the project being of such importance and significance to the whole Empire. The Hon. the Postmaster-General. Banfurly.

No. 72. The Hon. the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 29th March, 1902. Many thanks for your telegram. I join with you in believing that the new cable will be of material advantage to Australia and New Zealand.

No. 73. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 29th March, 1902. Hearty greetings. Am looking forward to the completion of the cable as another long step in the direction of free intercourse with New Zealand, Canada, Great Britain, and Europe.

[Other replies in similar terms received.]

No. 74. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 29th March, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, stating that you wished to secure the services of Mr. C. L. Hertslet, an officer of this Department, for the Pacific Cable Board as Superintendent at your station at Doubtless Bay, and to inform you that the Postmaster-General, while regretting to lose Mr. Hertslet, has much pleasure in placing him at your disposal. Mr. Hertslet, who has already been released from duty, will sever his connection with this Department as from the 31st instant, and has been informed that by his resignation from this Service he forfeits all rights to compensation and other privileges as a Civil servant of the colony acquired during his service in this Department. The Postmaster-General much appreciates the honour conferred on the Department by the selection of one of his officers for so important a position. I have, &c, C. H. Beynolds, Esq., CLE., W. Gray, Secretary. General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, Melbourne.

No. 75. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, Auckland, to the Superintendent of Electric Lines, Auckland. Sir,— Auckland, 30th March, 1902. With reference to your letter of the 30th October, 1901 [No. 37], to the address of Mr. B. E. Peake, on the subject of the water-supply at Doubtless Bay, I wish to request that the work be proceeded with without delay under the specifications and conditions contained in the letter of the District Engineer at Auckland, which accompanied your letter above referred to. Your letter was duly submitted to the Board, and sanction to the work at a cost of £600 was duly conveyed in the Board's telegram of the 11th December to the Premier. I note that the estimate depends on the work being done while the contractor's staff is in Doubtless Bay. Under these circumstances, I am sure you will be good enough to press the matter at once on the attention of the proper authorities. I am, &c, C. H. Beynolds. General Manager, Pacific Cable Board. The Superintendent of Electric Lines, Auckland.