F.—Sk

4

trade terms in Article XX., paragraph 6. (2.) The substitution of the word "or" for "and" to make it clear that letters and figures although grouped together are counted separately under Article XX., paragraph 6. (3.) The adoption of a system for the transmission of homonymous names of telegraph-offices as single words under Regulation XIII., paragraph 6. (4.) The assimilation of the European and extra-European systems under Regulations XXIV. and XXV. Satisfaction was given to the first of these propositions by Regulation VII., paragraph 2, Regulation IX., and Regulation XIX., paragraph 7; to the second by Regulation XIX., paragraph 7; and to the third by Regulation XIII., paragraph 7, and Regulation XIX., paragraph 1, section la. As regards the fourth proposition, which supported one of the propositions brought forward by the British delegation, it was not possible to secure a complete assimilation between the two s}'stems, but a considerable step was taken in the direction contemplated by the New Zealand administration (see Regulation XXIV., paragraph 3, in conjunction with the rates declared by the European administrations in Tableau B). The New Zealand administration, in a letter to the Postmaster-General, dated the 4th September, 1902 (which was received after the final date for the reception of propositions), suggested two additional subjects for discussion —viz., (1) a provision to meet cases in which the sender refused to insert the words " Chez," " Aux soins de," or other equivalent under Regulation XIII., paragraph 9; and (2) a ruling upon Regulation XVIII., paragraph 5, to meet cases when the repetition of a telegram not being in accord with the first transmission, the addressee asks for further repetition and the answering service corroborates the first transmission. . The first of these propositions was subsequently withdrawn in a letter dated the 29th December. As regards the second proposition, it was not found practicable to obtain a decision of the Conference, and the point must accordingly be regarded as left open in so far as the interpretation of the regulations may be doubtful. The view takeii by the British Post Office is that, according to the spirit of the regulations, the addressee ought to be called upon to pay the cost of one of the two service messages, seeing that the telegraph service was not in fault in the original transmission of the telegram. It is clear, however, that the regulations do not specifically provide for cases of this kind; and as such cases must be few in number, the addressees might well be given the benefit of the uncertainty, and the cost of both the service messages might be refunded to them. Such a course would not tend to complicate the international accounts, inasmuch as neither the charges for repetition nor the service messages enter into those accounts. August, 1903.

EASTERN EXTENSION COMPANY'S CABLES.

No. 2. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 29th April, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant [not printed], forwarding, for my information, copy of communication received by your Department from the manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), intimating that the transmission between New Zealand and Australia —both ways —of daily meteorological reports over that company's cables would be discontinued after the 30th idem. I reply, I beg to inform you that the matter has been brought under the notice of the Department concerned. I should add that the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company had already similarly written to the Postmaster-General on the subject. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Secretary to the Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne.

No. 3. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Company, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 11th May, 1904. I have the honour to refer to my letter of the 29th ultimo, in connection with the discontinuance of the transmission between New Zealand and Australia of the meteorological reports over your company's cables after the 30th April.