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No. 53. The National Electric Signalling Company, Washington, D.C., to the Superintendent of Electric Lines, Wellington. (Telegram.) Washington, D.C., 12th April, 1904. Can supply five-hundred-mile sets from stock, average price ten guineas per mile complete. Specifications and tenders mailed.

No. 54. The Secretary, Lloyd's, London, to the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir, — Lloyd's, 31st August, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that the question of the establishment of wireless telegraphic stations at outlying points, in order to obtain reports from these outlying points of intelligence that may be of interest to all those connected with shipping and the commercial community in general, in various parts of the world, has been receiving very careful consideration at the hands of my committee. An application has recently been submitted to the Government of the Straits Settlements for permission to establish wireless telegraphy in that colony, and the Government "has been good enough to offer a license to Lloyd's for the purpose, on terms which are now a subject of negotiation. It appears to me that possibly it might be of considerable advantage, not only to Lloyd's and the mercantile community, but also to the Government of New Zealand, if arrangements could be made for the establishment of wireless telegraphic stations at certain points on the coast of New Zealand, and I should be grateful if you would be so good as to allow me to be informed whether the Government of New Zealand would allow a license to be granted to Lloyd's, with a view to the establishment of such stations. I am, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, N.Z. H. M. Hozier, Secretary.

No. 55. The Superintendent of Electric Lines, Wellington, to the Secretary, Lloyd's, London. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 22nd November, 1904. I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st August last, on the subject of the issue of a license for the establishment of wireless telegraph stations in New Zealand. In reply, I am to say that the Postmaster-General regrets that he is unable to recommend the Governor in Council to issue a license in general terms; but, on the receipt of an application for a license for a station at a particular place or places he will be pleased to give the matter his careful consideration. As a general rule, the issue of a license would be on the understanding that Lloyd's did not come into competition with existing telegraph and telephone stations, and that the wireless apparatus was not used for profit or in violation of the Electric Lines Act. I enclose, for your information, copy of " The Electric Lines Act, 188-4," and of " The Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1903." I have, &c, J. K. Logan,* The Secretary, Lloyd's, London, E.C. Superintendent of Electric Lines.

No. 56. The Secretary, Lloyd's, London, to the Superintendent of Electric Lines, Wellington. Sir, — Lloyd's, 18th January, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd November, upon the subject of the issue of a license for the establishment of wireless telegraph stations in New Zealand, and to beg that you will be so good as to express to the Postmaster-General the best thanks of my committee for the information with which His Excellency has kindly allowed me to be favoured. In reply, I am instructed to inform you that as the primary object of the establishment of wireless telegraph stations by Lloyd's would be for the purpose of communicating with vessels similarly equipped, the issue of a license to Lloyd's by the Postmaster-General would not bring Lloyd's into competition with existing telegraph or telephone lines. Indeed, so far from this being the case, it would really bring business to them, because we should be obliged to telegraph on the messages that might be received from vessels by means of wireless telegraphy, either to this country or to owners or others interested, wherever they might be. It is presumed that the Government of New Zealand would have no objection to Lloyd's charging the same reporting-fees for such wireless messages as are charged in the United Kingdom in the case of vessels that may communicate with the stations by wireless telegraphy. I am, &c, H. M. Hozier, Secretary. The Superintendent of Electric Lines, General Post Office, Wellington, N.Z.