F._B

14

No. 19. The Under-Secretary, Colonial Secretary's Office, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Memorandum.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 22nd October, 1907. In reply to your memorandum of the 18th instant [not printed] I have to inform you that on the 2nd ultimo the High Commissioner was authorised to pay the sum of six thousand one hundred and two pounds twelve shillings aud five pence (£6,102 12s. 5d.), being New Zealand's contribution towards the deficiency on the working of the Pacific cable during year ended 31st March, 1907. Hugh Pollen, Under-Secretary. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [P.C. Fin. 07/25.)

No. 20. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, Wellington. (Memorandum.) General Post Office, Wellington, 21st November, 1907. Provision by Auckland Harbour Board, without Charge, of Water-pipes, Meters, Hydrants, &c, on Wharf erected for H.M.C.S. " Iris " at Auckland. The Pacific Cable Board was duly informed of the Auckland Harbour Board's decision on the above-noted matter. I am now jn receipt of a reply from the General Manager, Pacific Cable Board, asking that the Board's thanks be conveyed to the Minister for Public Works and to the Auckland Harbour Board for the concession granted. As the negotiations were conducted by your Department, I shall be glad if you will suitably communicate with the Auckland Harbour Board. D. Robertson, Secretary. The Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, Wellington. [P.C. Stns. 07/22.]

No. 21. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, London, to His Excellency the Governor, Wellington. My Lord, — Downing Street, 3rd December, 1907. With reference to my despatch of the Bth August I have the honour to request that you will be so good as to inform your Ministers that Sir H. W. Primrose, X.C.8., retired from the Chairmanship of the Board of Inland Revenue on the 28th October, from which date he will be entitled to receive the salary of £600 a year payable to the Chairman of the Pacific Cable Board. I have, &c, Elgin. Governor the Right Honourable Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c. [Tel. 08/46(9).]

DIVERSION OF TRAFFIC: TELEGRAPHISTS' STRIKE, UNITED STATES. ' No. 22. The Accountant, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 18th April, 1907. Have received the following from Superintendent, Wakapuaka : "I beg to state that any messages from New Zealand diverted to the Pacific route via Southport owing to the interruption of the New Zealand land-lines must be charged the full rate of threepence per word for the Extension cable section." Your service twenty-first January states Extension had agreed to settlement on proportions based on Convention Regulations forty-two, paragraphs one and two, and seventy-six, paragraphs five and seven, and that this agreement embraced messages diverted from New Zealand as well as from the Commonwealth. Perhaps you had better advise Mr. Milward and ascertain the position. [P.C. Diver. 07/63.]