P.-8

1899. NEW ZEALAND.

TELEGRAPH CABLES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-8a, presented on the 18th October, 1898.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTEALIAN CABLES. No. 1. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Post Office and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Melbourne, Sir,— 18th July, 1898. With reference to the Tasmanian-Victorian cable-traffic guarantee, and with respect to the apportionment of the deficiency in receipts for the twelve months ended the 30th April, 1895 [see P.-6, 1896], I beg to inform you that Tasmania is pressing this department for an immediate settlement of the proportion due by New Zealand for that period. It was understood by this office that the Hobart Conference agreement would apply to the year 1894, and the other colonies interested have since concurred in this view and paid their respective proportions. I beg therefore to request that the question may again be considered by your department, as Tasmania looks to this office for a settlement in the event of the failure of your office to pay. This latter contingency is, however, I trust, not likely to occur, as it would not be equitable nor in accord with the principle under which the various guarantees were pooled amongst the colonies. I shall be glad to receive an early reply. I have, &c, P. L. Outtrim, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Deputy Postmaster-General.

No. 2. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 29th July, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, referring to the apportionment of the deficiency on account of the Tasmanian-Victorian cable traffic for the twelve months ended the 30th April, 1895, and asking that the question of admitting liability in respect of this colony for the year 1894 be again considered. In reply, I have to express my regret that the department is unable to admit that its liability extends back prior to the Ist May, 1895. It was understood that the arrangement arrived at was that the pooling of the Tasmanian cable guarantee would date from the time the new cable guarantee came into force. Under these circumstances the Postmaster-General is unable to agree to meet the claim for the year 1894, I have, Sec, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Melbourne. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 3. he Postmaster-General, Adelaide, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Post and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Adelaide. Sib,— 14th September, 1898. ' Eeferring to resolution No. 68, page 76, of the Hobart Conference report [see P.-3, 1898], I ha,ve the honour to inform you that the agent of the Eastern Extension Australasia and

1— F. 8,