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I am now directed to express to you this Government's full appreciation of your company's generosity in having allowed, for such a lengthy period, the free exchange of the weather reports in question. The information which the telegrams contained, especially with regard to changes of atmospheric pressure, was of much value in enabling the approach of meteorological disturbances from the westward to be detected here. Captain Edwin, Weather Reporter, also desires that his personal acknowledgments of the assistance which your company rendered him in his duties, by permitting the exchange of such telegrams, should be conveyed to you. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Manager in Australasia, Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Melbourne.

No. 4. The Superintendent, Eastern Extension Company, Wakapuaka, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. The Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Sir,— Cable Bay, Wakapuaka, Nelson, 11th May, 1904. I have received instructions from London that the reduced rate of Is. 7|d. for Great Britain for British Government telegrams has been extended to the whole of Europe for these messages. Yours, &c, P. H. Selfe, Superintendent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 5. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Eastern Extension Company, Wakapuaka. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 18th May, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, stating that instructions had been received from London that the reduced rate of Is. 7Jd. for Great Britain for British Government telegrams had been extended to the whole of Europe for such messages. I should be glad to be informed whether the reduced rate named applies also to colonial Government telegrams. I have, &c, The Superintendent, Eastern Extension W. Gray, Secretary. Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), Wakapuaka.

No. 6. The Superintendent, Eastern Extension Company, Wakapuaka, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Wakapuaka, 26th May, 1904. In answer to your letter of May 18: Yes; reduced rate does apply to New Zealand Government telegrams to Europe.

No. 7. The. Hon. the Postmaster-General, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 24th June, 1904. Please say whether any alteration is proposed from Ist July, under paragraph two of article seventy-five of London regulations, in method of accounting for British Government telegrams entitled to reduced rates at any stage in their transmission. No alteration will be made in the case of Government telegrams originating in this country.

International Telegraph Convention Regulation LXXV. Each State credits the limitrophic State with the amount of the charges for all the telegrams it transmits to it, calculated from the frontier of the two States to destination, without keeping account of the reductions granted to State telegrams on certain lines; these reductions are the subject of a special regulation between the administrations interested.

No. 8. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 28th June, 1904. No alteration proposed method accounting Government telegrams originating New Zealand.