F.—s

16

In the event of the Indian Government persisting in, and being able to enforce their claim for, an increased transit rate, the guaranteeing Governments will share with the company whatever loss may be sustained. We are, &c, Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales. E. Braddon, Agent-General for Tasmania. W. B. Perceval, Agent-General for New Zealand. J. C Bray. Agent-General for South Australia. And. Clarke, Acting Agent-General for Victoria. Malcolm Fraser, Agent-General for Western Australia. The Chairman, Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), London.

Enclosure 5 in No. 35. The Eastern Extension Company to the Agent-General. Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company, London, E.G., Dear Sir,— 13th December, 1892. On behalf of the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (Limited), I undertake that the several agreements regarding the new cable-rates to New Zealand from London, and New Zealand from Australia, are in the form agreed upon by the New Zealand Government with our Manager in Australasia. The agreements are dated this day. I am, &c, W. B. Perceval, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand. F. E. Hesse.

No. 36. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 14th February, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th December last, forwarding copies in duplicate of the two agreements of the 13th idem, entered into between the Governments of Australia (Queensland excepted) and New Zealand, and the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company. I note that, before signing them, you obtained the assurance of the Eastern Extension Company, in the letter of which you enclosed a copy, that the documents submitted for your signature were in the form agreed to by this Government. You will already have learned that the Indian Government has decided that the existing transit rate of 35 centimes is not to be increased while the through tariff remains at 4s. 9d. a word. I have, &c, A. J. Cadman, for the Premier. W. B. Berceval, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 37. The Hon. Mr. Ward, Sydney, to Mr. Gray. (Telegram.) Sydney, 29th March, 1893. Please arrange for a reduced press cable rate of one penny per word, to come into operation from Ist April next. Our land rates to be the same as at present both ways. Give this publicity.

CABLE TO NEW CALEDONIA. No. 38. The Hon. the Premier, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Sir, — Premier's Department, Melbourne, 18th November, 1892". I have quite casually become acquainted with a contract which has been made by New South Wales and Queensland for the construction of the first section of a main telegraph cable from Australia to America. This, as you are aware, has been a matter of considerable discussion for some years past as a general Australasian question, but the two colonies mentioned appear to have settled the matter without reference to the other Australasian Governments. I have addressed representations in a friendly tone to the Premiers of New South Wales and Queensland, and a copy of my letters I now have the honour to transmit herewith for your information, together with a copy of the printed paper [not published] which contains the contract and connected correspondence. I shall be glad to know whether you approve of the attitude of this Government with regard to this subject, and shall be pleased if you think well to support the representations contained in my letters. I have, &c, Wm. Shiels. The Hon. the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Wellington.