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His Excellency the Governor is in receipt of a . . . cablegram giving the result of the tendering for the manufacture and laying of the cable, and this Government has given its consent to the acceptance of the tender of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company. So far I have not received any specifications of the work tendered for, or the terms and conditions on which the offers were invited. These I should be glad to receive as early as possible, as well as one copy or more of the accepted tender itself if procurable. There has been an unusual lack of information about this important matter, and it might be advisable to suggest to the Pacific Cable Board that it would be a great convenience if this colony could be supplied with early copies of important advertisements or documents issued by the Board. No doubt any omission up to this time has been unavoidable. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, for the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 14. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 6th December, 1900. I have the honour to forward herewith copy of a communication from the Secretary of State through His Excellency the Governor : — " For convenience of drafting, and other reasons, it is proposed that the Pacific cable contract shall be signed on behalf of Her Majesty's Government by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, and on behalf of Canada and the Australasian Colonies by High Commissioner and the four Agents-General. I request that Agent-General may be instructed accordingly." As you are aware, the necessary authority was immediately given you to sign the contract on behalf of this colony. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, for the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 15. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London,'S.W., Sir,— 19th December, 1900. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your cablegram of the 30th November last [not printed] authorising me to sign the Pacific cable contract on behalf of the Government. I understand that the contract will be ready for signature in the course of next week. I transmit herewith copy of letter received from the Colonial Office, enclosing copies of cablegrams which have passed with the Governors of Canada and Australian and New Zealand Colonies [not printed] ; also copies of two letters which I have addressed to the Colonial Office with respect to the matter. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Eeeves.

Enclosure 1 in No. 15. The Agent-General to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, S.W., Sir, — 3rd December, 1900. I am directed by the Agent-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist instant [not printed], and, in reference thereto, to state that he has received a cablegram from his Government authorising him to sign the Pacific cable contract on behalf of the colony. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Walter Kennaway.

Enclosure 2 in No. 15. The Agent-General to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, S.W., Sir,— Bth December, 1900. I am directed by the Agent-General to transmit herewith copy of "The Pacific Cable Act, 1900," declaring that New Zealand's proportion of the guarantee referred to in the resolutions set forth in the schedule to "The Pacific Cable Authorisation Act, 1899" (copy herewith), shall not exceed one-ninth of the whole cost, as provided in No. 7 of those resolutions. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Walter Kennaway.

No. 16. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th December, 1900. Appoint you do whatever necessary give effect resolutions schedule "Pacific Cable Authorisation Act, 1899," and amending legislation 1900.