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Enclosure 1 in No. 153. The Secretary to the Agent-Genekal to the General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., S IX) __ 12th March, 1903. I am directed by the Agent-General to request you to inform your Board that he has received a cablegram from his Government stating, in reference to the question of the terminal rates, that they are not 'prepared at the present time to depart from their proposal to raise the terminal rate to that which has been adopted by the Commonwealth of Australia. The Agent - General understands, however, that when farther considering the matter his Government's action will be influenced by the reply which the Government of [the Commonwealth may give as regards the proposal made by your Chairman, which at the last meeting of your Board it was decided to submit to the contracting Governments. The Agent-General further understands that, in the case of the Commonwealth's rate of sd. being maintained, his Government consider that either New Zealand's terminal rate should be increased to the same amount or that the amount to be credited to the colony should be not less than £2,000 per annum. I am, &c, Walteb Kennaway. C. H. Reynolds, Esq., General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, Sanctuary House, Tothill Street, S.W.

Enclosure 2 in No. 153. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, to the Secretary to the Agent-General. Pacific Cable Board, Sanctuary House, Tothill Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 14th March, 1903. I have submitted your letter of the 12th March to the Chairman of the Pacific Cable Board, and he desires me to state, for the information of the Agent-General, that, while noting that the proposal to raise the terminal rate of New Zealand is reserved, he understands that the question of the adjustment of the terminal charges on Pacific cable traffic will be further considered by the New Zealand Government on receipt of the memorandum by the Chairman on the subject which it was decided to submit to all the contracting Governments. I am, &c, C. H. Reynolds, General Manager. Walter Kennaway, Esq., Office of the Government of New Zealand.

No. 154. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 18th March, 1903. Agent - General, in advising that Eastern Company had reduced British Government rate between Great Britain and Australia and New Zealand to Is. also notifies following reduction in Government rate: To New Caledonia, from 2s. Bd. to 2s. 3£d. ; Fiji, 2s. sd. to 2s. o£d. ; Norfolk Island, 2s. Id. to Is. B|d.

No. 155. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 18th March, 1903. Pacific Government rates, United Kingdom to Australia, Is. 7Jd. ; United Kingdom to New Zealand, Is. 6Jd.; United Kingdom to New Caledonia, 2s. 3Jd,; United Kingdom to Fiji, Is. 6d.; United Kingdom to Norfolk, Is. 6d.

No. 156. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. Sir,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 20th March, 1903. ' ' I have'the , honour to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of the 26th January last, enclosing copy of a letter received by you from the Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company (Limited), announcing that from the 20th idem the tariff for Government messages to and from New Zealand would be Is. 7Jd. per word; also advising the reduced rates to and from Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Norfolk Island. I have, &c, W. C. Walker, For the Premier, The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

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