F.—4,

No. 140. The Agent-Gestebal to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— . 21st February, 1891. I received this morning your telegram directing me to inquire from the Imperial Post Office what are the prospects of an early construction of the Pacific cable, and of the ocean steam-service from Vancouver, calling at New Zealand. The letters I recently addressed to your predecessor will, I think, have clearly shown to the Government that there was neither any prospect yet of the Pacific cable being constructed nor of a Vancouver mail-service being established on the condition of the ocean steamers calling at New Zealand: but I will take care to keep you informed by cable of whatever may take place. I take this opportunity of urging the expediency of your inviting Parliament to decide as early as possible whether arrangements of a more permanent kind are to take the place of those made last year for the San Francisco and Direct services. Hitherto it has been difficult to obtain, a decision in the House of Eepresentatives until late in the year, when the Imperial Parliament is prorogued, and the Ministers and heads of departments in this country disperse for their autumn holidays ; and the result has been that the difficulties attending any negotiations on this side with either the Treasury or the Post Office have been greatly increased. It would, therefore, be most desirable for the question to be settled earlier than in previous years, so that if any negotiation has to be attempted in this country it may be done in good time before the expiry of the present contracts. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. I). Bell.

No. 141. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Pbemieb, Wellington. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 6th March, 1891. In continuation of my letter of the 21st ultimo, I beg leave to state that on inquiry at the Imperial Post Office I was informed that no proposals were before them relating either to an ocean mail-service or a cable from Vancouver, and I telegraphed to that effect on the 23rd February. The Post Office authorities here had been in communication with the Canadian Pacific Eailway Company, but the question has always been one of subsidy, as well as the route to be taken. About two years ago, when the matter was officially before her Majesty's Postmaster-General, he gave it his strong support from an Imperial point of view, but since then nothing has been heard about it at the London Office. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. I). Bell.

No. 142. The Hon, the Peemiee to the Agent-Genekal, London. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 4th May, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th March last, confirming your telegram of the 23rd February, which notified that no proposals were before the Imperial Post Office with reference to either mail-service or telegraph cable from Vancouver. I have, &c, J. Ballance. Sir F. D. Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,300 copies), £30 Us.

By Authority: Geoboe Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9l. Price, Is. 3d.}

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