i\—B

28

No. no. The Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington, lo the Hon. the Premier, Melbourne. Sic,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 24th October, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your cablegram of the 12th instant [No. 106]. I forwarded you on Saturday a copy of the Act, which passed both Houses of our Legislature, and has received the Governor's assent. I considered it advisable to obtain legislative authority at the outset, and do not anticipate any difficulty in obtaining the approval of Parliament to a reasonable increase in the cost of the cable should it exceed the sum named in the Act. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Melbourne. R. J. Seddon.

No. 111. The Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 25th October, 1899. As you are aware, Parliament has passed Pacific Cable Act. Understand strong pressure been brought bear to grant concessions to Eastern Telegraph Company. To do so would materially affect colonies guaranteeing Pacific cable, and, if conceded, New Zealand will hold itself free consider situation, for inevitable that concessions, if granted, will increase contributions from Pacific-cable guarantors.

No. 112. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 26th October, 1899. Pacific Cable : Wired Crick yesterday.

No. 113. The Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington, to the Hons. the Postmasters - General, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 27th October, 1899. I have the honour to enclose herewith for your information a copy of " The Pacific Cable Authorisation Act, 1899," giving effect to certain resolutions of the Parliament of this colony respecting the construction of a Pacific telegraph-cable. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General W. C. Walkee (for the Postmaster-General). [Melbourne] [Sydney] [Brisbane].

No. 114. The Hon. the Pbemieb, Wellington, to the Hons. the Peemiees, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 27th October, 1899. On Saturday last I sent you a copy of the Bill which it was the intention to present to Parliament, authorising New Zealand's participation in the construction of the proposed Pacific cable, and I now do myself the honour to enclose herewith two copies of the Act, No. 19, 1899, Pacific Cable Authorisation, as it has received the Governor's assent. I have, &c, W. C. Walkee (for the Premier). The Hon. the Premier [Melbourne] [Sydney] [Brisbane].

No. 115. The Hon. the Pbemieb, Wellington, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Ottawa. Sic,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 27th October, 1899. I have the honour to forward herewith for your information two copies of the Pacific Cable Authorisation Act, No. 19, 1899, giving effect to certain resolutions of Parliament respecting the construction of a Pacific telegraph-cable. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Ottawa. W. C. Walkee (for the Premier).

No. 116. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 27th October, 1899. I have the honour to forward herewith four copies of the Pacific Cable Authorisation Act, No. 19, 1899, which leaves the Government free to carry out its present proposals with regard to