F.—B

8

distant from the great commercial centres, and feel that much lower rates should be secured if possible. I still much regret that you have not been able to meet us in respect to money-order rate. You have possibly overlooked fact that the new form of message, introduced in March last, reduced the average number of words to eleven, as originally stated by me.

No. 40. The Managee in Austealasia, Eastern Extension Company, Adelaide, to the Hon. the Post-mastee-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Adelaide, 7th May, 1900. Be your telegram sth : Cannot agree with your argument that lower rates should rule for places distant from great commercial centres, because cost of maintenance and working cable must necessarily be greater, therefore the tariff instead of being lower should be proportionately higher. The company, however, wishing to serve the interests of the colonies, have given New Zealand the cheapest cable-service in the world. If there is any further information required will you kindly write.

No. 41. The Deputy Postmasteb-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, Bth May, 1900. Be your wire, thirtieth ultimo : This department agrees with action you are taking to induce Eastern Extension Company to adopt reduced fixed rate telegraphic money-orders. Company will probably cause less business if they retain present rates for such messages.

No. 42. The Deputy Postmasteb-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 9th May, 1900. Authoeity obtained to levy local rate of one penny per word on messages, including money-order advices for New Zealand, from 14th instant.

No. 43. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, Hobart, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Hobart, 10th May, 1900. Tasmania adopts word-rate for telegrams to New Zealand on 14th instant.

No. 44. The Deputy Postmastee-Genebal, Melbourne, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 10th May, 1900. Cable-bates : From 14th instant our inland rate will be one penny per word. Same rate will apply to money-order telegrams.

No. 45. The Postmastee-Genebal, Adelaide, to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Adelaide, 11th May, 1900. All colonies have now agreed to word-rate from 14th May. Sydney only had Executive approval from that date, and asked that old rates should be charged till then. Western Australia agrees to one penny.

No. 46. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Memorandum.) 15th May, 1900. Easteen Extension Telegbaph Company.—l beg to transmit herewith copy of letter received from the above company, and my reply thereto, in which they ask for payment of £1,197, balance due to them to 30th April last. W. P. Beeves.

Enclosure 1 in No. 46. The Managee, Eastern Extension Company, London, to the Agent-Genebal, London. Sir,— Winchester House, 50, Old Broad Street, E.C., 14th May, 1900. I have the honour to inform you that, according to the figures telegraphed Home from Australia, the message receipts over the New Zealand cables for the year ended 30th April