F.—B.

No. 254. The Superintendent, Pacific Gable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 3rd November, 1902. 1 p.m.—l have just received the following from Mr. Reynolds: "Cable Fiji-Vancouver will_ not be opened for traffic for some weeks Private and Press messages must be refused."

No. 255. The Hon. the Postmaster-Geneeal to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th November, 1902. Desieb strongly impress you, and Board through you, that traffic being diverted from Pacific to Extension route through representatives of company personally urging business people and others use company's cables. Just received circular from leading business house Australia, issued by Eastern Company, stating that Extension route, from experience, is the best. This is having undoubted effect on Pacific traffic. As one of contracting colonies, New Zealand strongly objects these representations being continuously and industriously circulated without Board attempting contradict. We have endeavoured neutralise, but Board's determination at present not to advertise Pacific cable or challenge Eastern Company's action tied our hands. Position most unsatisfactory to colony. Have also to bring under your own and Board's notice strong point made by Eastern Company in registering free in London code-indicators, so as to assist to secure monopoly certain traffic with colonies. Matter already represented Superintendent, Doubtless Bay. Consider Board should at once arrange to have cabled free from colonies for registration in London all code addresses for messages intended for Pacific route, and thereby get on level terms with Eastern Company. At same time, wide publicity should be given to what is being done. If action not at once taken, foresee enormous increase of business to Eastern Company at cost Pacific Board.

No. 256. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peime Ministeb. (Telegram.) London, 21st November, 1902. Pacific cable : Special meeting yesterday carefully considered Postmaster-General's suggestions. Board agrees to cable experiment for registration of code telegraphic address, also authorises Government giving publicity in Press or otherwise Board's rates and arrangements. Also inquiry will be made as regards canvassing, and Chairman will see Eastern Telegraph Company confidentially, and also consult with Colonial Office and Board's legal advisers as regards terminal charges.

No. 257. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmastbr-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 22nd November, 1902. Please notify widely that traffic for Great Britain vid Vancouver will on opening of Pacific cable be delivered ordinarily in London by the Atlantic companies, in provinces usually by Pose Office. Atlantic companies register code addresses in London free. Senders using code addresses should use addresses registered by British post-office or by Atlantic companies. This intimation is being made here.

No. 258. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th November, 1902. Do I understand that Atlantic telegraph companies will deliver all cablegrams for Great Britain, or only cablegrams addressed to London, the Post Office delivering the others as at present?

No. 259. The Supebintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 24th November, 1902. Atlantic companies will deliver cables in London and large centres where they have their own offices, handing all others to the post-office, exactly as is done by Eastern Extension.

No. 260. The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board, London, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 27th November, 1902. Sell's Directory of Eegistered Telegraphic Addresses contains a very large number of addresses registered in Great Britain by the Post Office. The Atlantic companies will deliver all telegrams

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