F.—B.

equally interested maintaining communication on the telegraph-line, and any interruption is temporarily repaired by them until the regular linemen arrive. In other words, we have the bestprotected system of telegraphs in the world. During 1902 do not think we suffered an interruption the duration of which exceeded two hours."

No. 104. The Undeb-Seceetaby, Public Works Department, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Public Works Department, Wellington, 30th December, 1902. (Memorandum.) Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. In pursuance of the arrangement that the Pacific Cable Board shall pay the whole of the cost of the building, land, &c, at the above cable-station, I now send herewith, for transmission to the Board, a statement showing the amount expended by this Department on the work, and shall be glad if you will kindly take the requisite steps to recover the amount due accordingly. H. J. H. Blow, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Under-Secretary.

Enclosure in No. 104. Statement showing Amount expended by this Department in connection with the Erection of Buildings, &c, at Doubtless Bay Cable-station, together with Value of Crown Land appropriated therefor. Particulars. Amount. £ s. d. Contract payments for buildings ... ... ... .. 4,937 16 10 Pipes, &c, for water-supply ... ... ... ... 477 6 6 Wages laying pipes, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 94 1 1 Freight on pipes, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 26 J 6 9 Salary of overseer ... ... ... ... ... 106 15 0 Salary of architectural draftsman ... ... ... ... 49 0 0 Furniture ... ... ... ... ... ... 29 4 6 Travelling-expenses of officers ... ... ... ... 22 9 8 Advertising ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 18 0 Purchase of land, and transfer expenses ... ... ... 138 3 0 Value of Crown land reserved (16 acres) ... ... ... 32 0 0 £5,918 11 4 Public Works Department, Wellington, 16th December, 1902.

No. 105. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th January, 1903. Can you say what proposals have been made to get rid of the interruptions on Vancouver Island land-line? Letter which should reach you on Wednesday will explain my inquiry.

No. 106. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 10th January, 1903. Be Vancouver Island interruptions:—Bamfield replies: " Yes ; Canadian Pacific Eailway preparing to overhaul the whole line."

No. 107. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Fanning Island. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 13th January, 1903. . . . . It is gratifying to know that the cable is working so well, but the fact of such a large number of interruptions in a very short time at Vancouver Island has undoubtedly given a temporary check to the international business. If we have heard the last of these, there should be a marked spring in the volume of traffic, especially since the insertion of the code time has been arranged, always assuming that not more than an hour or an hour and a half will be taken up in transmission, as we have been led to believe would probably be the case Yours, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. D. Cuthbert, Esq., Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Fanning Island. 4—F. 8.

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