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No. 170. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Postmastees-Geneeal, Mauritius and Cape Town. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd November, 1901. Hearty congratulations on establishment direct telegraphic communication.

No. 171. The Postmastee-Geneeal, Cape Town, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Cape Town, 3rd November, 1901. Eecipbocate your congratulations, and trust that the direct wire may result in a closer connection between not only our Departments, but the colonies we serve, to the mutual advantage of both.

No. 172. Messrs. William Wood and Co., Ohristchurch, to the Secbetaey, General Post Office. Wellington. Sib, — 183, Hereford Street, Ohristchurch, 22nd November, 1901. I understood we were to look for a reduction in the cable rates at the beginning of December this year. Is that so ? We have a meeting next week of our Chamber of Commerce. Can you tell me where the cable is laid to now on the line to England vid Africa? Thanking you in anticipation, We have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Wm. W t ood and Co.

No. 173. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Supebintendent, Eastern Extension Company, Wakapuaka. (Telegram.) Wellington, 25th November, 1901. Kindly inform me what sections Cape-Australia cable have been laid, and when the section between South and Western Australia will be completed.

No. 174. The Supebintendent, Eastern Extension Company, Wakapuaka, to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Wakapuaka, 25th November, 1901. Completed Durban to Mauritius, Mauritius to Bodriguez, Bodriguez to Cocos, Cocos to Perth. Perth to Adelaide will be laid by "Scotia" last week in January, 1902. Later on will be laid Cocos to Colombo and Cocos to Singapore.

No. 175. The Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. William Wood and Co., Ohristchurch. (Telegram.) Wellington, 26th November, 1901. Cable rates and your letter 22nd instant : It is announced that the cable rate between Australia and Great Britain will be reduced January next from 3s. 6d. to 3s. a word, but reduction will not affect New Zealand, as it is not a party to the Eastern Extension Cable Company's agreement; nor is Victoria or Queensland. The Cape cable is now completed from Durban to Western Australia, and the final section, Perth to Adelaide, expected to be laid last week in January. [The whole line Durban to Adelaide was opened on the Ist March.] Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,435 copies), £'67 17s. 6d.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o2 Price Is. 3d.]

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