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No. 20. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Governor. (Telegram.) London, 14th June, 1904. Pacific Cable Conference.: With reference to your telegram of tenth May, Commonwealth have now agreed as to representation by single delegate, and have appointed Copeland. Agent-General, New South Wales, having, however, just undergone operation will not be available for three or four weeks. Can your Ministers arrange attendance of delegate here about middle of July? Telegraph name and date of arrival as soon as possible, in order that I may be able to give early notice to Canadian Government, who have nominated Muloch, Postmaster-General.

No. 21. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— The Pacific Cable Board, Doubtless Bay Station, N.Z., 20th June, 1904. I have been instructed by the General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, to forward you the attached papers, which are self-explanatory. With regard to the amount recoverable from the New Zealand Government for salaries, I may state that from the Ist April to the 31st December Messrs. Keys, Smith, and Hands were paid at the rate of £80 per annum, plus £25 locality allowance, and from the Ist January to the 31st March, 1904, at the rate of £100, plus £25 locality allowance. I am, &c, C. L. Hertslet, Superintendent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

Enclosure 1 in No. 21. The Pacific Cable Board, Queen Anne's Chambers, Tothill Street, Westminster, London, S.W., 13th May, 1904. The New Zealand Government. Dr. to the Pacific Cable Board. £ s. d. Rent for five months as per statement enclosed ... ... ... 93 17 4 Salaries of three operators for twelve months as per statement enclosed 330 0 0 £423 17 4 C. H. Reynolds, General Manager, Pacific Cable Bonrd.

Enclosure 2 in No. 21. The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, London to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. g IR Pacific Cable Board, London, 15th May, 1904. I forward a statement of the sums due by the New Zealand Government to the Pacific Cable Board for the working of the Doubtless Bay cable-station during the year ending the 31sfc March, 1904. ~ . , ~ , With regard to the staff salaries, these have been compiled from the returns sent monthly by you, and audited by your Cash Accounts. The charge for interest for half the capital cost of the station has been calculated from the Ist November, 1903, as the payment for the buildings, £5,938 3s. 6d., was only made by the Board through the Bank of New Zealand, Auckland, in October, 1903. The payments for furniture, &c, making up the total of £7,509 6s. sd. were made by the Board in 1902-3, but for simplicity and convenience the whole rent-charge has been taken to commence from one date. The "charges for cable instruments and appliances have not been included in the capital cost, nor has the cost of the new cottage and furniture supplied for the assistant clerk in charge quite recently. The latter item will come into next year's account. I shall be obliged if you will countersign the bill for salaries, and forward the statements in original, together with a copy of this letter, to the Postmaster-General. The amount due to the Board may be paid into the Board's (London) account with the Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. I am, &c , C. H. Reynolds, C. L. Hertslet, Esq., Superintendent, Doubtless Bay. General Manager.