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No. 17. (Circular.) Sik, — Downing Street, 13th February, 1886. I have the honour to transmit, for the information of your Government, a copy of correspondence, as1 noted in the margin, respecting a Conference to be held on the 3rd of May next relative to the convention of the 14th of March, 1884, for the protection of submarine telegraph cables. I request that you will inform me as early as possible whether your Government are desirous of being represented at the Conference. You will, however, observe that only colonies which have acceded or intend to accede to the Convention can properly be represented. I have, &c, GEANVILLE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosures. Sik, — Foreign Office, 28th January, 1886. I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to request that you will inform Secretary Colonel Stanley that, in consequence of amendments made by the Legislatures of some countries, parties to the convention of the 14th March, 1884, relative to the protection of submarine telegraph cables, further negotiation between the Powers has become necessary ; and that Lord Salisbury has accepted, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, an invitation from the French Government to send delegates to a further Conference to be held at Paris on the 3rd of May next. I am accordingly to request that you will move Colonel Stanley to make known this intelligence to the colonies concerned, in order that, if they think fit, steps may be taken for the attendance of their representatives on this occasion. If it is not desired in any particular instance to send delegates, this office will give attention as far as possible to any'wishes in this matter which the Secretary of State may express. Mr. C. M. Kennedy, C.8., will more particularly attend to Foreign Office questions in this further negotiation. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Bobeet Bodeke.

Sik,— Downing Street, 3rd February, 188 G. I am directed by Colonel Stanley to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th ultimo, relative to the Conference proposed to be held at Paris on the 3rd of May next, on the question of the protection of submarine telegraph cables, and to state that he has forwarded a copy of it to the Governors of South Australia and Victoria. Before, however, communicating with the Governments of the other colonies enumerated in the additional article to the Convention of the 14th March, 1884, Colonel Stanley would be glad if the Marquis of Salisbury would cause him to bo informed whether in his opinion colonies which have not given notice of accession to the Convention are entitled to be represented at the Conference. I am to add that Colonel Stanley presumes that Canada would, as having attended the previous Conference, be entitled to be represented at the present one ; but as it does not appear that the Convention has been signed on her behalf, or that she has acceded to it, he would be glad to be informed whether Lord Salisbury considers that an invitation should be addressed to the Dominion Government. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign OfEce. E. G. W. Hebbeut.

Sib,— Foreign Office, 4th February, 1886. In reply to your letter of yesterday I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to state that only colonies which have acceded or intend to accede to the Convention of the 14th March, 1884, to which their right of accession is specially reserved, can properly be represented at the proposed further Conference to amend the text of the Convention as already agreed to. I am at the same time to suggest, for the consideration of Secretary Colonel Stanley, that it may be well to make known this opinion in the case to the Government of Canada, and also to the other colonies which have not yet announced whether or not they desire to be included under the convention. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Robekt Bouekb.

No. 18. Sib, — Downing Street, 15th February, 1886. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, the accompanying copy of a correspondence with the General Post Office on the question of granting exemption from light and harbour dues to vessels engaged in laying and repairing submarine cables. I have, &c, GEANVILLE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.