9

POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH CONFERENCE, HOBART, 1898.

MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, HOBART.

MONDAY, 28th MARCH, 1898. The Conference met at 11 a.m., when the under-mentioned gentlemen, representing the Colonies herein named, were present: — New South Wales: The Hon. Joseph Cook, M.P., Postmaster-General. S. H. Lambton, Esq., Deputy Postmaster-General. P. B. Walker, Esq., M. Inst. C.E., M.I.E.E, Chief Electrician and Engineer-in-Chief Telegraph Department. Victoria: The Hon. John Gavan Dtjefy, M.L.A., Postmaster-General. . F. L. Otjttrim, Esq., Deputy Postmaster-General, Secretary to Postal Department, and Superintendent of Telegraphs. South Australia: Sir Charles Todd, K.C.M.G., Postmaster-General. Queensland : The Hon. J. R. Dickson, C.M.G., M.L.A., Home Secretary and Postmaster-General. John M'Donnell, Esq., Under Secretary to the Post and Telegraph Department and Superintendent of Electric Telegraphs. John Hesketh, Esq., Electrical Engineer. Tasmania : The Hon. Sir Philip Fysh, M.H.A., Treasurer and PostmasterGeneral. H. V. Bayly, Esq., Secretary to the Post Office. Election op President. The Honorable Joseph Cook moved, and the Honorable J. R. Dickson seconded, — "That the Honorable Sir Philip Fysh, K.C.M.G., be appointed President of the Conference." Sir Philip Fysh acknowledged the honor, and took the Chair. Secretary. The Honorable John Gavan Duffy moved, and the Honorable Joseph Cook seconded, — "That Mr. Thomas Cook Just be appointed Secretary to the Conference." Carried. Admission op the Press. The Hon. John Gavan Duffy moved, and the Hon. Joseph Cook seconded, — " That the representatives of the Press be admitted to the deliberations of the Conference, but not when in Committee." Carried. Commissions. The Hon. Jno. Gavan Duffy, the Hon. Joseph Cook, and the Hon. J. R. Dickson presented their Commissions as Representatives of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland to the Conference. Representation of South Australia. The Hon. John Gavan Duffy reported that the Ministerial Representative of South Australia, the Hon. J. G. Jenkins, had intimated to him that he would arrive in Hobart on Wednesday evening next.