F.-8

8

No. 31. The Inspector of Telegraphs, Auckland, to Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 30th September, 1903. I met Mr. Reynolds this morning, and arranged with Secretary, Harbour Board, to meet him. This afternoon I took him to the Harbour Board Office and introduced him to the Chairman and Secretary. Their launch was placed at our disposal, and we all went round harbour, inspected various sites, and came to conclusion the one at Kauri Point very suitable.

No. 32. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 21st October, 1903. Direct working Southport to Sydney commenced yesterday morning, and has proved very satisfactory. A second circuit has been set up for Queensland traffic.

No. 33. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the Agent-General. Sir, — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 19th November, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that the Treasury Department has this day been requested to remit to you by cable the sum of £57 lis. 7d., the balance due in respect of New Zealand's proportion of the loss in the working of the-Pacific cable for the period ended the 31st March, 1903. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, The Hon. W. P. Peeves, For Prime Minister. Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 34. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Memorandum.) 26th November, 1903. The Imperial Treasury having applied through the Colonial Office for the payment of the New Zealand contribution to the cost of the Pacific cable for the year ended the 31st March last, amounting to £10,057 lis. 7d., I have made the payment under the authority of bank order No. 23 of 20/1/03 and of the cablegram received from the Hon. the Minister on the 20th instant. I may mention that the bank order was not accompanied with any instructions either from the Treasury or from the Telegraph Department in respect of the particular purpose for which the payment was required, and no application was made for it until I received on the 21st instant the Colonial Office's letter, copy of which I herewith transmit. I need scarcely remark that it would have saved time and expense had the Colonial Office communicated with myself instead of telegraphing to Lord Ranfurly, particularly as that office was aware that £10,000 had been imprested to me to meet the payment in question. The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. W. P. Reeves.

Enclosure in No. 34. The Assistant Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Agent-General. Sir,— Colonial Office, S.W., 21st November, 1903. I am directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to state that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury are anxious that the New Zealand contribution to the cost of the Pacific cable for the year ended the 31st March last, amounting to £10,057 lis. 7d., should be paid over to the credit of the vote for telegraph subsidies and Pacific cable at the Paymaster-General's Office as soon as possible, since payment has to be made on the Ist proximo to the National Debt Commissioners of the annuity in respect of the moneys advanced for the construction of the cable. 2. From a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand, dated the 20th July, His Majesty's Government are aware that a sum of £10,000 was imprested to you by your Government in December last for payment of their share of the cost of the cable for the year 1902-3, leaving only the small amount of £57 lis. 7d. to be still arranged for. A telegram explaining the importance of payment before the Ist December was sent to Lord Ranfurly on the 10th instant, and it has been thought desirable to acquaint you also with the circumstances of the case. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. H. Bertram Cox.

No. 35. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. (Telegram.) Loudon, 26th January, 1904. Board has decided to make Auckland headquarters " Iris," and gratefully accept your offer in letter of 28th September land and equipments. Kindly authorise local officers to consult with Lacy as to requirements, and inform Lacy.