16

A.—2,

No. 23. (Circular.) g IB Downing Steet, 26th August, 1890. The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have desired to be furnished, for the purpose of record, with information as to the law and practice of escheat and the disposal of casual revenues of the Crown in the colonies. In connection therewith, I may refer you to the Imperial Act, 15 and 16 Yict, cap. 39. As this department is not in every case supplied with information, and in other cases there appears to be some uncertainty, I shall be obliged by your supplying me with the desired information for the colony under your government, with copy of any local Act bearing on the subject. 1 have, &c, KNUTSFOED. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 24. (New Zealand, No. 38.) nnn My Lobd,— Downing Street, 29th August, 1890. With reference to my despatch of the 9th ultimo, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, a copy of a letter which I caused to be addressed to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury respecting the wish of the five colonies represented afc the Adelaide Postal Conference, that the decision of Her Majesty's Government not to join m the proposed guarantee to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company in connection with the reduction in the telegraphic rates between Australia and England should be reconsidered, together with a copy of their Lordships' reply. It will be observed that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury reluctantly find themselves unable to meet the wishes of the Australian Colonies m this matter I have, &c, matter ' KNUTSFOEP. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Onslow, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 18.

Enclosure No. 1. Colonial Office to Treasury. Sik __ Downing Street, 9th August, 1890. With reference to your letter of the sth ultimo, and to previous correspondence respecting reduction in the charges for telegrams between England and Australia I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you a copy of a telegram from the Governor of New South Wales on the Üb] Tam to request to be informed of the reply which the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury would desire should be returned to this representation. I am, &c., The Secretary to the Treasury. Jo HN Bramston.

Bub-enclosure. Telegram from the Eight Hon. Lord Cabrington (New South Wales) to Lord Knutsford. (Eeceived, Bth August, 1890.) . f 1 After careful consideration of the whole subject, the five colonies represented at the late Postal Conference in Adelaide—namely, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and New bouth Wales—respectfully urge reconsideration of the proposal that England share m the guarantee to Eastern Extension Telegraph Company. In answer to the statement that it would be contrary to the general policy of the Imperial Government, and would open the door to numberless claims of a similar nature, it is pointed out, with confidence, that there can be no similar claim, as no other country is so remotely situated, and at the same time connected with England by commerce of such great magnitude. T . Henry Parkes, for New South Wales and colonies. J- am, inc., 3 Carrington.

Enclosure No. 2. Treasury to Colonial Office. c _ Treasury Chambers, 22nd August, 1890. I have laid before the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury your letter of the 9th instant, forwarding a copy of the tekgram from the Governor of New South Wales, urging a