THE ’FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 October 1901, Page 4

THE ’FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

Motions by Postmaster-General

Wellington, Oct. 11,

The Postmaster-General gave notice this evening to mote the following resolutions on the next sitting day regarding the San Francisco mail service: — The Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, in committee of the whole, to move the following resolutions:

That in view of the temporary agreement with the J.D. Spreckels and Coy (the Oceanic Steamship Coy of San Francisco) for the performance of a threeweekly service between San Francisco and Auckland for one year, expiring next month.

(a) JThis -House authorises the Government to enter into a contract with, the said company for a renewal of the present San Francisco mail service for a term of three years, subject to the following conditions . £

(b) That the payment for the conveyance of mails - from New Zealand to San Francisco shall be at the rate of Is 6d per lb for letters, Is per lb for books, packets, etc., and 6d per lb for newspapers ; * (c) That in view of the foregoing payraonta a fixed annual subsidy of 1120,000 be paid, provided that one British'owned steamer registered in New Zealand be employed in the service. (d) That the time between San Francisco and Auckland shall not exceed seventeen days.

(e) That no bonus shall be paid for „ early arrival, and a penalty at the rate of j£4 an hour shall bo enforced only when late delivery exceeds 48 hours. (f) That all mails tendered to the contractors at Auckland and San Francisco by qr on behalf of the Postmaster General of New Zealand, shall be conveyed by the contract vessels and'sufficient and secure accomodation provided for the same.

(g) That suitable accomodation and lighting shall be provided for the purpose of sorting the mails on board the contract vessels, aqd first-class accomodation provided without charge for a mail agent and an assistant, or, if required, two assistants.

(h) That during the continuance of the contract, and so long as the same shall be faithfully carried out by the contractors, no charge for harbor duos, or other rates shall be made or levied under “The Harbors Act, 1878,’’ or any amendment thereof, or under any special Act in that behalf at the port of Auckland for any of the steam vessels employed in carving out the contract.

(i) That any agreement entered into hefween the Postmaster-General of Now Zealand and J. D. Spfecklos and Bros’ Coy shall, where applicable, follow the provisions of the agreement entered into between the Postmaster-Gen oral and the Union Steamship Coy of New Zealand (Ltd), on the 14th day of August, 1895, jand the renewed agreement made on the 11 h day of April, 1899.

(j) And that the terms and conditions of clause 7 of the agreement of 14th of August, 1895; providing for the detention of the vessels at San Francisco for the mails for Great Britain shall be given effect to as far as may be consistent with the contract subsisting between the J. D. Sprockets and Bros’ Company and the United States Government Vancouver mail service. Resolution No 2as follows 1

That in the event of it being found impracticable to arrange a contract for too three-weekly San Francisco service on the foregoing terms this House authorises the Government to enter into negotiations for establishing a three-weekly or a four-weekly Vancouver mail service. {.%) That the contract shall be for a term of not loss than three or more than five years.

(b) That the payment shall not exceed £20,000 a year. (c) That the service shall be performed by vessels of-not less than 6,030 tons, having first-class passenger accommodation, and fitted well with all modern im- . provements and also refrigerating chamber and chilled chambers for fruit and dairy produce. (d) That the time shall not exceed 18 days between ,Vancouver and New Zealand port, the selection of which to be at the contractors’ option. (e) That the terms and conditions of contract proposed in respect of the S m Francisco service shall be applied to the Vancouver so far as they can be adopted. Federal mail service. Resolution No 8; That thd Government shall also, negotiate for a fortnightly intercolonial Service to provide prompt connection With the Federal mail service at Melbourne arid Sydney.

(a) Between Wellington and Sydney, (b) Between Melbourne and the Bluff, and in addition in the event of the SanFraneisco service not being arranged.

(o) Between Sydney and Auckland,