11

F.—B

Number of International Messages and Words.

In addition to the above, a very considerable intercolonial traffic is carried between Australia, New Zealand, and the Fijis, keeping the southern sections of the cable fully occupied during business hours. I have, &c, S. Walpole, Chairman. The Secretary, His Majesty's Treasury, Whitehall, S.W.

No. 13. The Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Memorandum.) Public Works Department, Wellington, 22nd August, 1907. In his estimates for the current year our District Engineer at Auckland provides an item of £2,000 for moorings and buoys for the cable-steamer " Iris," in addition to the cost of a wharf whioh is now in course of erection. Will you kindly let me know if the Government has to provide moorings and buoys, and, if so, whether you wish provision made in public-works estimates for the amount mentioned. H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary.' The Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department. [P.O. Stns. 07/14.] •

No. 14. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, Wellington. (Memorandum.) General Post Office, Wellington, 26th August, 1907. Public-works Estimates: Moorings and Buoys for H.M.C.S. "Iris." Apparently Government will have to provide the moorings and buoys. I attach copy of a letter from the late Right Hon. Mr. 'Seddon to the General Manager of the Pacific Cable Board on the subject. D. Robertson, Secretary. The Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, Wellington. [P.C. Stns 07/16.] , ;

Enclosure in No. 14. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, to the General Manager. Pacific Cable Board, London (at Wellington). Sir, — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 28th September, 1903. Referring to our conversation respecting site and wharf for cable purposes at Auckland : Should it be decided to change from Fiji, I have the honour to inform you that if the company decides to make Auckland its depot the New Zealand Government would be prepared to furnish a site there and provide the necessary equipments, and in making any recommendations to your Board you may state that such: an offer has been made by this Government. I have, (fee, The General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, Wellington. R. J. Seddon.

No. 15. The Superintendent, Paoific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, 3rd September, 1907. I beg to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter dated the 21st ultimo, conveying copy of correspondence between the Auckland Harbour Board and the Public Works Depart-

Messages. Words. Year. Ordinary. , * Press. J ment. „ ,. Govern- „ Ordinary. Press. J ment. Remarks . Total. Total. 1902-3 18,494 915 35 19,444 202,313 24,210 1,831 202,313 24,210 228,354 Cable opened 8ch Dec, 1902. *Cricket. 1903-4 1904-5 1905-6 1906-7 approximate) 64,595 67,677 77,331 3,128 3,018 3,109 890* 387 259 68,613 71,082 80,699 96,783 744,034 781,028 834,778 744,034 83,116 37,819* 781,028 71,575 19,110 834,778 74,76313,225 83,116 71,575 74,763 864,969 871,713 922,766 1,126,940