SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE. (FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1873 Session I, F-03a

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1873. NEW ZEALAND.

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

(FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO.)

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency. No. 1. The Agent- Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Treasures. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 3rd May, 1873. I do myself the honor to transmit herewith, for the information of the Government, copy of a letter received from the General Post Office on the 22nd ultimo, from which it will be seen that the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury have authorized the giving up to-New Zealand of the surplus, amounting to £1,534, which, after defraying all charges, has accrued to that Department from the correspondence conveyed in the mails between the United Kingdom and the Colony by the San Francisco route, from the commencement of that service in March, 1870, to June, 1872. I have, &c, I. E. Featiieeston, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 1. Mr. J. Tilley to the Agent- Genebal. Sib,— Genera] Post Office, 22nd April, 1873. Having brought under the consideration of Her Majesty's Treasury the application made in your letter of the 15th ultimo, on behalf of the Government of New Zealand, I am directed by the Postmaster-General to inform you that he has received the authority of their Lordships for giving up to New Zealand the surplus, amounting to £1,534, which, after defraying all charges, has accrued to this Department from the correspondence conveyed in the mails between the United Kingdom and the Colony by the route of San Francisco, from the commencement of that service in March, 1870, to June, 1872. In communicating to you this decision, I have to state that, as the amount was originally charged against the Colony in the Postal Accounts, the Eeceiver and Accountant-General of this Department has been instructed to adjust the matter by placing the sum of £1,534 to the credit of New Zealand in the Postal Accounts for the fourth quarter of the year, 1872, which are now in process of preparation. I have, &c, John Tilley.

No. 2. The Hon. Henby Pabkes to the Hon. Colonial Seceetaet. Sib, — . Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, 23rd July, 1873. In reference to the contract made by New South Wales for a line of steam mail packets between Sydney and San Francisco (particulars of which have been communicated to you), I have the honor to inform you that this Government has now decided to withdraw from the position of seeking the co-operation of the other Colonies, and to throw the service open for the conveyance of letters to and from Australia and New Zealand for the postage only. 2. As you are aware, this Government had secured to it the choice between a mail delivery calculated at forty-five days, and one at forty days to and from Liverpool; and the contract has been closed for the service of twelve knots per hour, or 600 hours between Sydney and San Francisco.

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3. I notice some abservations addressed by Mr. Vogel to Mr. Samuel, which appear to convey the impression on the part of your Government that the contract may possibly not be carried out. I beg to assure you that this Government has no reason to entertain the slightest doubt of the integrity and ample means of the Contractors, who represent large firms in Sydney, Melbourne, London, Liverpool, and in New Zealand. The new boats of the line, built expressly for this service, will commence running from Sydney and San Francisco about the middle of next year; but this Government is prepared to start an interim service (though not of equal speed) in January next, should such temporary service be found to be required, after the expiration of the present Suez Contract. 4. The Government of New South Wales is prepared to convey the letters of New Zealand for the postages on the mail matter carried, without asking any direct contribution towards the subsidy of £68,000. The only arrangement necessary on the part of New Zealand to receive the full advantages of this service, will be the employment of a fast steamer between Kandavau and a New Zealand port; and any proposal for that object which will be satisfactory to you, will be entertained by this Government with a cordial desire to consult the interests of your Colony. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Henby Paekeb. Ej Authority; Gxoieß DlDflßCiiy, GoTernraent Printer, Wellington.—lB73. [Price 3d.]