SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1877 Session I, F-04b

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1877. NEW ZEALAND.

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Postmasteb- Genebal, Wellington. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 21st August, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 23rd June.* I think the arrangements which have been made for the carriage of the colonial mail across the Atlantic may now be considered to be on a permanent footing —that is to say, when there is no Inman boat to take the mails made up on the Thursday, the White Star boat takes them. As long as either leaves on that day it is to be presumed their services will be continued. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 2. The Hon. J. T. Fishes to the Agent-Genebal, London. Sib, — General Post Office, Wellington, 19th October, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st August last, in which you state that the arrangements which had been made for the transit of the colonial mails across the Atlantic may now be considered as of a permanent nature, inasmuch as there is tolerable certainty of a despatch being insured every fourth Thursday by a steamer of either the Inman or White Star line. It is desirable, however, that you should still continue your exertions to have this matter placed on a more definite footing, and arrange if possible for the publication of a time table for twelve months in advance, as in the case of the mails conveyed by the steamers of the Peninsula and Oriental Company. • Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., I have, &c, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. T. Pishee.

No. 3. Messrs. Fosteb and Thomson to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Deab Sib,— New York, 21st September, 1877. We enclose herewith the deed or declaration forwarded to us by Messrs. John Mackrell and Co., of London, duly executed by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and their sureties. We also enclose letter from Messrs. John Mackrell and Co. to you. The delay in the matter arose from the indifference of the officers of the Company to execute the document. Tours respectfully, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Fostee and Thomson.

Note.—This deed is identical with that which appeared on pages 14 to 16 of the papers relating to the San Francisco Mail Service, numbered F. 4a, being sub-enclosure to No. 19 of that series, with the exception that the following attestation has been added thereto :— Signed, sealed, and delivered by the within named Pacific Mail} Pacific Mail Steamship Company. Steamship Company, by Win. P. Clyde, President of the > (1.5.) Wm. P. Clyde, eaid Company, in the presence of ) President. Chas. S. Hiil, Notary Public, New York.

Enclosure in No. 3. Messrs. John Mackbell and Co. to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. Sib, — 21, Cannon Street, London, 7th June, 1877. In accordance with instructions received from the Agent-General for your colony, and from

• Vide No. 16, F. 4a.

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the Agent-General for New South "Wales, we have obtained, to be executed in duplicate by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and by their sureties, the necessary deed to enable you and the PostmasterGeneral of New South A^ales to vary during the current year, 1877, the route by which the mails have been contracted to be carried, by adopting a route from Sydney via Auckland to San Francisco, and vice versa, and to vary the number ot hours during which the mails are to be carried, and the payments to be made for the same; and we send you one of the duplicates herewith. Although this deed only applies to arrangements during this year it will apply to and cover voyages commenced this year, but which will terminate in 1878. Please acknowledge receipt of the enclosed. We have, &c., The Postmaster-General of New Zealand. John Mackeell and Co.

No. 4. The Hon. John Daties to the Hon. the Postmaster-Generax, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 27th September, 1877. In view of delay, consequent on Ministerial changes, in obtaining Parliamentary sanction to modification of Pacific Contract, I am of opinion that no further time should be lost in rearranging the Time Table so as to alternate better with Suez mail, to give contractors a little more time at Sydney in consideration of Auckland detour, and to insure mails reaching Fr'isco in time to catch a fast steamer at New York. We have sketched out a time table providing for these requirements, a copy of which will go by the mail on 3rd October. The following is the principle of it: Leave Sydney, say, Thursday, 6th December ; arrive London Monday, 21st January ; leave London Thursday, 31st January ; arrive Sydney Monday, 18th March; leave Sydney again Thursday, 28th March. These dates will enable you to form an opinion on the suitability of the table for New Zealand, and I shall be glad to hear from you at your earliest convenience, if you approve. I propose at once submitting it to Contractors' Agents here, and if all parties agree it might be brought into operation as soon as possible, say, Ist January. John Daties, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Postmaster-General.

No. 5. The Hon. John Daties to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir,— Sydney, 27th September, 1877. Keferring to my telegram to you of the 27th instant (copy of which is appended hereto), I have the honor to forward for your information six printed copies of the time table for the regulation, of the San Francisco Service, which appears to this department best calculated to meet all the circumstances that require to be considered in forming a time table for this service. On one of the printed tables herewith have been inserted in ink the dates of arrival and departure of the mail via Brindisi, with the view of showing the alternation of these dates, which have been calculated on the existing Peninsula and Oriental time table, with the proposed days of arrival and departure of the San Francisco mail. The table itself will best explain how far an alternation can be effected. I may, however, remark that, as the mail via Brindisi for some time past has arrived at Melbourne considerably before the specified time, it may fairly be expected that it will continue to do so, in which case there will be a better alternation of days in this respect with the proposed San Franciso time table. Sir Daniel Cooper, in a letter, dated 9th October, 1875, he addressed to the Colonial Secretary of this colony, remarks that " the steamers should arrive at San Francisco on a Thursday, so that the mails can leave by the only through train at 7 o'clock on Friday morning, and so reach New York on the following Friday morning at 7 o'clock. In case of the steamer arriving a day late, or a day being lost on the railway, the Saturday (White Star) steamer would delay her departure, below the bar of the river, until the mail and passengers could be got on board." By fixing the day of departure from Sydney on Thursday, and allowing twenty-eight days for the voyage to San Francisco, it is thought that this consideration will be met. I suppose we may now calculate upon there being no objection on the part of the Imperial Authorities to Thursday being fixed as the day of departure from London, and I think it is understood that that day is the one best suited to meet the interest of the colonies. The time between London and San Francisco has been calculated at eighteen days, and it is thought expedient to give the minimum time in the proposed table. In the case of the mail from London, it is essential that no time should be lost at San Francisco on arrival there of the mail from London, and there is a danger, if more time than eighteen days is allowed, and fixed by schedule of time, that, in case of mails occupying only the eighteen days from London to San Francisco, the mail packet might not be in readiness to proceed on with them until the later time mentioned in the schedule, and a day might be lost in this manner. Indeed, I am informed that this has occurred, at all event s, on one occasion. I do not think I need say more in explanation of the proposed time table than to express a hope that you will give it your early attention, and communicate to me as soon as possible whether it meets your approval. It would, I think, be desirable to bring the new table into operation, say, in January next. I have, &c, John Davies, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Postmaster-General.

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Enclosure in No. 5. PROPOSED Time Table for the Mail Service between Great Britain, New Zealand, and New South Wales, by way of San Francisco.

* Or immediately on arrival of London mail at San Francisco. Note. —The dates printed in italics are those of the Brindisi route with the above time table.

No. 6. The Postmasteb-Genebal, Sydney, to the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 19th October, 1877. Totte kind attention is asked to my telegram and letter of twenty-seventh ultimo, respecting modification of Pacific Mail Contract and rearrangement of time table. Early reply will much oblige. Postmastee-Geneeal, The Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sydney.

No. 7. The Hon. J. T. Fishee to the Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th October, 1877. Amended time table Fr'isco Service.—Pressure important business since coming into office has prevented my replying to your letter 27th ultimo. Will endeavour to give question attention early next week. J. T. Fishee, The Postmaster-General, Sydney. Postmaster-General.

No. 8. The Hon. J. T. Fisher to the Postmaster- Geneeal, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th November, 1877. Approve of your proposed time table Fr'isco Service. Will you please arrange with Contractors' Agents to have it brought into force from first January next ? Am sending copy to AgentGeneral by outgoing mail. J. T. Fishee, The Postmaster-General, Sydney. Postmaster-General.

HOMEWARD ROUTE. OUTWARD ROUTE. Leatb Abbive at Leave Arbite at Sydney. Auckland. San Francisco. London. London. San Francisco. Auckland. Sydney. Thursday. Tuesday. Thursday. Monday. Thursday. Monday. Wednesday. Monday. 1877. 6 Dec. 1878. 3 Jan. 1877. 24 Dec. ... 1878. 21 Jan. ... 1878. 16 Jan. ... 1878. 21 Jan. 1877. 1877. 11 Dec. 1878. 3 Jan. 1878. 21 Jan. ... 11 Feb. 13 Feb. ... 18 Feb. 6 Dec. 24 Dec. (Mon) 31 Jan. 15 Feb. (Fri.) 18 Feb. ... 13 Mar. ... 18 Mar. 5 Apr. (Fri), via Srindisi. 1878. 3 Jan. 21 Jan. (Mon.) 1878. 8 Jan. 31 Jan. 18 Feb. ... 11 Mar. ... 28 Feb. 15 Mar. (Fri.) 18 Mar. ... 10 April ... 15 April. 3 May (Fri), via Srindisi. 13 May. Si. May (Fri), via Srindisi. 10 June. 28 June(Fri), via Srindisi. 8 July. 5 Aug. 2 Sept. 30 „ 28 Oct. 25 Not. 23 Dec. 1879. 20 Jan. 31 Jan. 18 Feb. (Mon.) 5 Feb. 28 Feb. ... 18 Mar. ... 8 April ... 28 Mar. ... 12 Apr. (Fri.) 15 April ... 8 May ... 28 Feb. 18 Mar. (Mon.) 5 Mar. 28 Mar. ... 15 April ... 6 May 25 April ... 10 May (Fri.) 13 May ... 5 June ... 28 Mar. 25 April 23 May 20 June 18 July 15 Aug. 12 Sept. 2 April 30 „ 28 May 25 June 23 July 20 Aug. 17 Sept. 25 April ... 23 May* ... 20 June ... 18 July ... 15 Aug. ... 12 Sept. ... 10 Oct. ... 13 May ... 10 June 8 July ... 5 Aug. ... 2 Sept. ... 30 „ 28 Oct. 23 May ... 20 June 18 July ... 15 Aug. ... 12 Sept. ... 10 Oct. 7 Not. ... 10 June ... 8 July ... 5 Aug. ... 2 Sept. ... 30 Sept. ... 28 Oct. ... 25 Not. ... 3 July ... 31 „ ... 28 Aug. ... 25 Sept. ... 23 Oct. ... 20 Not. ... 18 Dec. ... 1879. 15 Jan. 10 Oct. 7 Not. 15 Oct. 12 Not. 7 Not. ... 5 Dec. 1879. 2 Jan. 25 Not. ... 23 Dec. 1879. 20 Jan. 5 Dec. 23 Dec. ... 5 Dee. 10 Dec.

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No. 9. The Hon. J. T. Fisiieb to the Agent-Geneeal, London. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 17th November, 1877. I have the honor to forward for your information a copy of a time table submitted by the Postmaster-General of New South Wales for the regulation of the San Francisco Mail Service for the ensuing year, and of which I have approved. I may add that the Postmaster-General, Sydney, has teen written to, asking him to make the necessary arrangements with the Agents for the Contractors, on behalf of both colonies, for bringing the time table in question into operation from the Ist of January next. Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., I have, &c, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. T. Fishee.

No. 10. Mr. Geat to the Seceetaet, General Post Office, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st November, 1877. Will Fr'isco Contractors adopt amended time table from January next ? Out of the question to despatch next month's mails on date fixed by amended time table. Suggest that altered dates be not adopted in London until January. The Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. W. Geat.

No. 11. Mr. Lambton to the Seceetaet, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 22nd November, 1877. Amended Fr'isco time table agreed upon by Postmasters-General New South Wales and New Zealand to come into operation January next was forwarded to Contractors' Agents here, who do not object to it. Agree with you it would be unadvisable to despatch next month's mail according to new table. We propose to bring it into operation in January, both as regards departures from Australia and England—that is, the mails to leave Sydney third January and London third January should be first to travel under new table. If you concur in this please reply, and we will finally notify Contractors' Agents here, and advise Agent-General in London by telegram. Presume you will do the same. The Secretary. General Post Office, Wellington. S. H. Lambton.

No. 12. Mr. Geat to the Seceetabt, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd November, 1877. Amended Fr'isco time table to have effect from the third<|January. Please direct Contractors accordingly. Postmaster-General will advise our Agent-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. W. Geat.

No. 13. The Hon. Sir Geobge Gbet to the Agent-Genebal, London. JjVisco Service. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th November, 1877. Amended time table from January. Mails leave London third and thirty-first. January mails hence due London February eighteen. Contractors accepted table. Inform Post Office Contractors and sureties should renew bond expiring December. G. Geet.

No. 14 Mr. Gteat to the Secketaet, General Post Office, Sydney. Sib, — General Post Office, "Wellington, 24th October, 1877. I am directed to request that you may be good enough to furnish this department with fuller particulars of the items for law costs, telegrams, &c, amounting to £99 12s. 7d., debited to this colony in the statement of account forwarded under cover of your letter of the 13th June last, than were afforded in the statements accompanying your letter. I am to add that this information was inadvertently omitted to be asked for when acknowledging the receipt of your communication above quoted. I have, &c, W. Geat, The Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. Secretary.

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No. 15. Exteact from Telegbam from the Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Postmabteb-Genebal, Wellington. " London, 25th October, 1877. Befoee payment, Cunningham requires cablegram from new Postmaster as follows: — " I confirm the settlement made with Cunningham, and authorize execution release." The Agent-Genebal.

No. 16. The Hon. J. T. Fisher to the Agent- Genebal, London. (Telegram.) "Wellington, 31st October, 1877. Cunningham compromise.—l confirm the settlement made with Cunningham, and authorize execution release. I have, &c, J. T. Fisheb, Sir Julius Vogel, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Postmaster-General.

By Authority: Geoeqe Didsbukt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB77.

Price 6d.]

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