I.—l

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Mr. Wakefield : 1 know the Telegraph Department would allow nothing of the kind. I have had to send such matter as ordinary matter. I know I have, within the last six weeks, sent upwards of 10,000 words of leading articles, not on the special wire, but as Press telegrams from our own correspondent. 189. Are you aware that a great deal of the matter that is published in the Lyttelton Times appears simultaneously in other papers ?—The news is the same, because we have agents on the same staff. 190. I mean that the very words that appeared in the Lyttelton Times on the following morning appear simultaneously in other papers as Press telegrams ? —-I am not aware of it; but it is extremely likely, because the agents get accounts of fires, attempted incendiarism, accidents, &c, at an early hour, to send out, by using the proofs. 191. Then the Press Association special wire has been used by particular persons, not for the dissemination of news, but to the detriment of public interests and the falsification of current events ?— No. I only know of two or three instances in which political articles were sent; but in every case I have drawn the attention of the agent to it, and requested him not to repeat it. The proper course is for the Association agent to send only ascertained facts, leaving the papers, if they want anything more, to get it through their own correspondents. 192. Mr. Stevens.] Tou state in your evidence that, in your opinion, better arrangements than the special wire could be made ? —Tes. 193. What are the better arrangements ? —lt would be a difficult thing to propose a complete scheme nowr. Ido not think it is quite fair to ask such a thing. I have indicated in my answer to Mr. Feldwick that, allowing an extension of hours, a reduction of rates, and the encouragement of agents to send one message so as not to duplicate, would be an improvement. 194. Was I right in understanding you to say that one association would be better than two ? — Tes. It would greatly relieve the wires. 195. That it would be a benefit for one of the present owners to absorb the other ?—Tes. 196. Is it not a fact that your contractors can exclude one of the evening or one of the morning papers, or both, in any of your centres ? —lt does not rest solely with the contractors. 197. The contractors, I presume, would be able to make the concession? —Not where there is an agreement to supply only one paper. 198. Would not your contractors be willing to agree to an amalgamation of the two agencies ? —■ There has been no meeting to consider the question. I believe some would be opposed to it. 199. Do you'think your proprietors would agree in any arrangement that could be made by which there would be only one association ? —I say it would be a decided benefit to every one concerned if it could be brought about, but I doubt whether it can be. 200. To the public ?—Tes, and to the Government, and the department. 201. Suppose it could be shown that the Government would be benefited by having only one association, would your Association be in any worse position? —It would relieve the department. I consider the present competition is beyond the ability of the department to bear, and the competition involves a large amount of loss to the Press generally. 202. Are your proprietors aware of your opinions on this subject?—l have placed them in possession of them. As to the special-wire business, my opinion is that the Press is engaged in a useless competition, which places difficulties in the way of insuring the transmission of really important news. 203. Are you able to say why your proprietors have not acceded to your view of the case? —There has been no time for me to ascertain their views. It was understood that if this session had lasted Mr. Horton was coming down from Auckland to give evidence ; and I believe that Mr. Reeves and Mr. Fenwick would also tender evidence. Overtures were made to us some time ago to absorb other papers, but they failed to result in any satisfactory arrangement. 204. Mr. Stevens.] Tou think that if an arrangement were made to have only one association instead of two it would be an improvement ? —I think so ; but I only state my own opinion on the subject. [At a subsequent stage the witness produced copies of agreements made with special-wire papers.] Mr. F. McCaethy sworn and examined. 206. The Chairman.] What is your name ?—Florence McCarthy. 207. What is your profession ?—At present I am a Press Telegraph Agent residing in Wellington. 208. We are ready to hear from you any representations you wish to make ou Press telegraphic business ? —I had no intention of making any particular representations. 209. Have you any complaints ? —I have no specific complaints beyond the general complaint that there are frequent delays in the transmission of messages, but I would not attempt to fasten the responsibility upon any person. 210. Have you any complaint to make against the special-wire system?— The system has some advantages, and many disadvantages. The advantage is that you can get a quantity of news through at a reasonable rate, providing the wires are working well. 211. Cheap ?—Tes, cheap. The disadvantages are that you are liable at any moment to have important news cut off in a manner that you cannot understand ; but I do not attempt to fasten any blame on any one, as in such circumstances the wires may not work well. 212. Tou do not complain of any breach of the special-wire agreement?—No; but it very often works awkwardly. There is another disadvantage, which I need scarcely allude to as nobody is to blame : The system has a tendency to demoralize telegraphy. Men seem to forget that, when more news is put in at one end than the wire is capable of carrying, it is likely to be shut out at the other end. 213. And does that arise from the fact that there is no specific sum charged for any number of words you want to send ?—lt has a tendency to induce a man to believe that the wire is capable of carrying any amount, and to pile it on.

Mr. Gillon.

August G, 1879.

Mr. McCarthy.

August 6, 1879.