F.—B,

No. 233. Captain W. D. Ebid, Auckland, to the Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 14th August, 1902. Union Company have boat here carry 4to 5 tons. I consider her worth £20, and cost £6 to put her in order, keel-band, paint, and repair. I asked for price ; they wish me to quote. Just the boat I understand you want. Length, 27 ft.; breadth, 7 ft. ; depth, 2 ft. 11 in. Proper surf-boat from Tahiti, built pitch-pine. Wire if I shall quote total price, £26 to £27.

No. 234. Captain W. D. Eeid, Auckland, to the Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 15th August, 1902. Union Company will sell boat for £22. Captain Bollons and myself agree she is worth that. Company purpose sending her south by to-morrow's boat. Wire if she will suit, and me to repair. Total cost, £28 to £29. A suitable boat.

No. 235. The Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Mercantile Marine, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 15th August, 1902. Purchase boat from Union Company, and have it put in thorough repair and properly equipped. Advise me when this is done.

No. 236. The Hon. the Acting-Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th August, 1902. Your cablegram seventh : Suitable boat procured. Unless Spreckels instructs, outgoing steamer will not call at Fanning Island.

No. 237. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Acting-Premier. (Telegram.) London, 19th August, 1902. Pacific Cable Board request you give formal permission Spreckels call Fanning Island.

No. 238. The Hon. the Acting-Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th August, 1902. Your telegram nineteenth : Spreckels requested instruct outgoing steamer call Fanning.

No. 239. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Acting-Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 22nd August, 1902. Sib,- Pacific Gable and Fanning Island. I beg to enclose herewith copies of cablegrams that have passed between us, and of correspondence with the Pacific Cable Board, relating to the calling at Fanning Island of the San Francisco mail-steamers and to the supply and delivery of a surf-boat at the island on behalf of the Board. I have, &c, The Hon. the Acting-Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.

Enclosure 1 in No. 239. The Hon. the Acting-Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Eeceived Ist August, 1902. Consented to Frisco steamers calling at Fanning Island on voyage from Auckland. Contractors applied outcome request by Cuthbert. Assume this with Board's concurrence. Enclosure 2 in No. 239. The Secretary to the Agent-General to the Secretary, Pacific Cable Board. Sir,— 13, Victoria Street, 6th August, 1902. I am directed by the Agent-General to transmit herewith copy of cablegram which he has received from his Government. I am, &c, The Secretary, Pacific Cable Board, Walter Kennaway.

7— F. 8,

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