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No. 13. Mr. Audley Coote to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sib,— Hobarton, 12th October, 1874. Ec Submarine Cables. I had this pleasure on the 23rd ultimo, when I sent you copy of a telegram that had been forwarded to the Messrs. Siemens. I have now the honor to refer to the telegram in this morning's paper from Sydney —viz., " The Postal and Cable Conference have agreed to an arrangement of all matters connected with the cable between Sydney, New Zealand, and Torres Straits." I shall feel much obliged if you will kindly inform me at your earliest convenience the arrangements you have made, so that I may wire particulars to my principals, that they may be in readiness to receive the delegate from this side, should you have decided to send one. I have, &c, The Hon. J. Vogel. . Audley Coote.

No. 14. Mr. John Mobison to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sib, — London, 4th September, 1874. Having considerable trade myself with the colonies as a shipowner and merchant, I have been very much annoyed of late for want of immediate communication with New Zealand, there being no knowledge by any one, Government Agents, Telegraph Companies, or merchants, of the sailings of vessels carrying letters between Australia and New Zealand, and even any telegrams sent to Melbourne or Sydney may have to wait a week at these ports before a message could go forward ; also, being aware that many in New Zealand are anxious and ready to pay for a telegraph service, I took the liberty to wire you on 31st August as follows : — " Owner large steamers —' Seine ' just finished successfully Brazilian—can lay cable New ZealandAustralia in about nine months. Four hundred thousand cash or guarantee " — considering you would forward or explain what the Governments would do towards that end. The " Seine," s., 3,500 tons, has been employed in laying the Brazilian Cable, and is one of the best vessels adapted for that work, being now disengaged, with other large steamers owned by myself, will show you I have the means of laying cables, and being interested in telegraphy for twenty years can supply any type or gauge that may be required. What I intended to supply was as specified herein, which would be of the best and latest improved cable yet laid, payment for which I would take in cash (and preferred), which might be most acceptable to you ; but if the Government would not purchase, I could arrange otherwise with a liberal guarantee of interest on £400,000, and for the monopoly for, say, thirty-five years. To expedite the making and laying of the cable until a company could be formed, I would undertake to do the work on an advance from your Government of two-thirds the value, giving security; but should none of these plans be accepted by you, I will feel obliged by receiving your proposal upon the subject. I am known to your Agent-General here, Dr. Featherston (although 1 have not told him of my addressing you), and otherwise can give you every satisfactory reference that I can do this work in a proper and efficient manner. I have, Ac., The Hon. J. Vogel. John Mobisojt. SPECIFICATION. Say 20 miles shore end 12 tons per knot. 80 „ intermediate ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 „ „ 1100 „ Main Cable If „ All materials to be of the best of their several kinds, and subject to the usual tests, and to be equal to those laid in the Mediterranean and Indian Seas, and to convey as many messages as any existing cable of the same length. Wire for shore end 10375 Intermediate ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10-270 Main 16000 No. 13 Horn. Steel. Clark's Compound over all in each case, as per sketches herewith. . £ Can be made in three months, and sent and laid in six months.

No. 15. Mr. Attdley Coote to the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. Sib,— Sydney, Ist May, 1875. Ec Submarine Cables. Permit me to inform you that 1 reached this city yesterday, and that urgent telegrams call me to London to arrange matters with reference to the cable negotiations; the message also informs me I shall have to return to your colony immediately after my arrival in London. You have, I have no doubt, been informed by wire that a little difficulty has for the moment arisen in arranging the final details with the representatives in London ; but as I am called immediately to