2

F.-8

China Telegraph Company, in answer to my communication, replies as follows : " London states that, with regard to the date of the guarantee year, they fully appreciate the advantages of changing it; but, seeing that the arrangement will so shortly expire, it is hardly worth while making any alteration now, because they assume that both this and the subsidy arrangement, which also expires next year, will have to be reconsidered and readjusted." I have, &c, Charles Todd, Postmaster-General and Superintendent of Telegraphs. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 4. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Post and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Melbourne, Sir,— 6th February, 1899. With reference to the Port Darwin subsidy agreement of 1879, which terminates on the 30th October next, and the guarantee agreement, dated the 30th April, 1895, which expires on the 30th April, 1900, on two months' notice being previously given, I am directed to state that the Hon. the Postmaster-General is inclined to think that the colonies should give the Cable Company the two months' notice required, and he desires that the attention of your Administration should be invited to the necessity for giving such notice. Mr. Duffy would be glad if you would kindly favour him with an expression of your opinion on the subject. I have, &c, F. L. Outtrim, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Deputy Postmaster-General.

No. 5. The Secretary, General Post Office Wellington, to the Superintendent, Eastern Extension Company, Wakapuaka. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th February, 1899. What is the explanation of Press message from Brisbane that your company had proposed to make Brisbane the terminus of the Australian cable system ?

No. 6. The Superintendent, Eastern Extension Company, Wakapuaka, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Wakapuaka, 16th February, 1899. Have been unable to find out. It may mean a cable from Darwin to Normantown.

No. 7. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Adelaide. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st February, 1899. Presume you have received letter from Melbourne Post Office, suggesting that colonies should give Cable Company notice under agreements of 1879 and 1895. Is there to be concerted action now ? If so, we would fall in .with decision other colonies. We are, however, not directly interested in 1879 agreement.

No. 8. The Postmaster-General, Adelaide, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Adelaide, 4th March, 1899. There appears to be no necessity for immediate action, and I advise waiting few months. There is nothing to pay on 1895 agreement for reduced international rates, nor likely to be. The company may possibly submit some proposition. Do you concur?

No. 9. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster - General, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 9th March, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th ultimo, with reference to the termination of the Port Darwin subsidy agreement of 1879 and the guarantee agreement of the 30th April, 1895.