D.—No. 1. D

Otago, in a survey of Cook's Straits, with a view to ascertaining the best line for a sub-marine telegraphic cable connecting the two Islands. Your letter arrived most opportunely as I was abimt to have addressed you, at Mr. Balfour's request, copy of which I enclose, on the subject of the transfer of his services "altogether to the General Government. I have only therefore now to say that his services for the purpose named are immediately available, and I shall be gratified to learn that the GeHeral Government can take him permanently into their service. It is with regret that this Government would part with so valuable an officer as Mr. Balfour, of whom it cannot think too highly, but in the temporary depressed state of the Province, the Government could not feel itself justified in retaining disservices after the 33th September next. Mr, Balfour has been instructed to proceed lo Wellington by the first opportunity. I have, &c, J. Hyde Harris, Superintendent. P.S.—Should the General Government agree to retain Mr. Balfour in its service, I have the honor to request that he may still be allowed to complete any works he may have undertaken for this Government. J. Hyde Harris, Superintendent. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Enclosure to No. 8. Marine Engineer's Office, Dunedin, May 30th, 1865. Sik, — As the termination of my present engagement with the Provincial Government of Otago is now rapidly approaching, and as mv knowledge of the present temporary depression of the Provincial affiliw prevents me from having much expectation that the Government, however well disposed to me individually, will consider themselves justified in maintaining the Marine Department after the close of my engagement, I venture to request that your Honor, with the concurrence of the Executive, will be good enough to bring my name before the General Government, with a recommendation that my services should be transferred to them. This will tend to economy in many ways, as I should expect to be quite able to advise all the Provinces with regard to proposed Marine works, and as I should then be officially connected with the Light-houses, instead of managing them for the Marine Board, as I have done for the last two years in an informal manner. As there can be no doubt that any recommendation from your Honor's Government would have very great weight, I venture to hope that they will consider themselves justified in recommending this transfer with a certain amount of strength. lv making this request 1 should not wish it for a moment to be supposed that 1 am desirous to leave Otago, for on the contrary, I should be glad to remain could 1 be ot service to the Province ; but whether I remain or go, the unvarying courtesy with which I have betn treated by your Honor, and the members of the Executive generally, have made an impression on my mind which can never be effaced. I have, &c, James M. Balfour, Marine Engineer. His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. No. 9. Wellington, 26th July, 1565. SIR, — I have the honor to report that, acting on your instructions received in Otago on June Bth, I came to Wellington in the Queen, leaving on the 10th, in order to make a minute examination of Cook's Strait, and to procure samples of the bottom, and all other information necessary for enabling the best route to be selected for connecting the North and Middle Islands of New Zealand by a sub-marine telegraphic cable. On my arrival in Wellington as there happened to be no steamer in port which was available for the work, I occupied myself by making au enlarged copy of a portion of the Admiralty chart of the Strait, on which to protract the soundings when taken, and getting the necessary sounding apparatus prepared ; but especially by making an examination of all the bays near the entrance to Wellington

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TELEGEAPHIC CABLE AGEOSS COOK STRAIT.