OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-6, presented on the 11th September, 1896.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1897 Session II, F-06

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Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-6, presented on the 11th September, 1896.]

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

SAN FEANCISCO MAIL-SEEVICE. No. 1. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, Bth September, 1896. Referring to your letter of the 19th November last, I have the honour to remind you that your colony's contribution of £4,000 a year towards the San Francisco mail-service expires on the 31st October. I shall be glad to receive from you as early as possible the usual formal intimation that the Postmaster-General of New South Wales will continue the contribution for the twelve months from Ist November next. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 2. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Postal and Electric Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Sir, — Sydney, oth November, 1896. In reply to your communication of the Bth September last, I am directed to inform you that the Postmaster-General has approved of this colony contributing at the rate of £4,000 a year towards the San Francisco mail-service for another year, from the Ist instant to the 31st October, 1897. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Deputy Postmaster-General.

No. 3. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 21st November, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth instant, notifying that the Postmaster-General of New South Wales had approved of your colony contributing £4,000 towards the San Francisco mail-service for another year, commencing from the Ist instant. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 4. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir — 22nd April, 1897. Referring to your letter of the 16th February last [see No. 50], I beg to transmit copy of letter received from the General Post Office in reply to my letter (copy enclosed), asking for the Postmaster-General's consent to the continuance of the Imperial Government's contribution to the San Francisco service until the expiration of the contract for the conveyance of the mails between New Zealand and San Francisco. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Reeves. I—F. 6.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 4. The Agent-General to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir,— 13, Victoria Street, S.W., sth April, 1897. Referring to your letter of the 3rd October, 1893, respecting the renewal of the San Francisco mail-service, in which you stated that the Imperial Post Office would continue the payments for the maintenance of the service until the next Postal Union Congress, my Government, seeing that the next Postal Congress meets in Washington in May next, have instructed me to obtain the Postmaster-General's consent to this payment being continued until the expiration, in November next, of the contract for the conveyance of the mails between New Zealand and San Francisco. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office. W. P. Reeves.

Enclosure 2 in No. 4. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-General. Sir, — General Post Office, London, 15th April, 1897. In reply to your letter of the sth April, I am directed by the Postmaster-General to inform you that the payments which the Imperial Post Office now makes towards the maintenance of the service for the conveyance of mails between the United Kingdom and New Zealand by the route of San Francisco will, as your Government requests, be continued until the expiration, in November next, of the contract for the conveyance of the mails between New Zealand and San Francisco. I am, &c, The Hon. W. P. Reeves. H. Buxton Forman.

No. 5. The Hon. W. C. Walker to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 7th June, 1897. I have the honour to ackowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd April last, forwarding copy of correspondence with the General Post Office, London, in reference to the continuance of the contribution which the Imperial Government now makes towards the maintenance of the service for the conveyance of mails between the United Kingdom and New Zealand vid San Francisco. I note that the contribution will be continued until the expiration of the contract in November next. I have, &c, W. C. Walker. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 6. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — San Francisco, 11th October, 1896. I have the honour to report that I am in receipt of a communication from Messrs. J. D. Spreckels and Brothers, informing me that they purpose substituting the s.s. " Zealandia " for the s.s. " Mariposa" for the January trip from this port, the change being necessary in order to give the latter vessel an overhauling at tins port. The " Zealandia " is a vessel now twenty-one years old, and slightly less than the gross tonnage stipulated for in the contract, but, as far as I am aware, is perfectly competent to perform the conditions of the contract in other respects. Should you desire that this vessel be submitted to the inspection of Lloyd's or other surveyor, as to quality of machinery and other equipment, I would be pleased to receive your instructions to this end by return trip of the " Mariposa." I have, &c. W. Gray, Esq., Secretary, H. Stephenson Smith, Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington. Resident Agent.

Enclosure 1 in No. 6. The J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, San Francisco, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Oceanic Steamship Company, No. 327, Market Street, San Francisco, Dear Sir,— 9th October, 1896. We beg to advise you that we will substitute the s.s. " Zealandia " for the " Mariposa " on the trip leaving here 7th January, 1897, while the latter steamer is undergoing necessary repairs. Yours, &c, J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Per C. Hug, General Agents. Resident Agent, New Zealand Government, 428, California Street San Francisco.

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Enclosure 2 in No. 6. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the J. D. Spreckhls and Brothers Company, San Francisco. Gentlemen, — San Francisco, 10th October, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 9th instant informing me that it is your intention to substitute the s.s. " Zealandia" for the R.M.S.S. "Mariposa" for the conveyance of the colonial mails under existing contract with the New Zealand Government, the substitution to be made on the appointed date of departure in January, 1897. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent. The J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, Agents for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), San Francisco.

No. 7. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 10th November, 1896. I have the honour to inform you that intimation has been received from the J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, through the Resident Agent for New Zealand at San Francisco, that the steamer "Zealandia" will be substituted for the RM.S. "Mariposa" on the voyage leaving San Francisco on the 7th January, 1897. I have to point out that, as contractors for the San Francisco mail-service, the application for the necessary permission to replace the "Mariposa" should be made by your company, and an assurance should also at the same time be given the Postmaster-General that the vessel proposed to be used is in every way equal to the requirements of the service. I have, &c, The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company W. Gray, Secretary, of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 8. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 12th November, 1896. I have the honour to advise you that we are in receipt of advice from the Oceanic Steamship Company that on her return to San Francisco from her present trip it is necessary that the " Mariposa " should be laid up for repairs, and, as these cannot be finished in time for her to sail again on her fixed date, the Oceanic Company propose to replace for one trip their s.s. " Zealandia." They advise us that the latter steamer is in first-class condition, and I presume that the Postmaster-General will give his approval to the substitution. I have, &c, W. Gray, Esq., T. W. Whitson, Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.

No. 9. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) General Post Office, Wellington, 21st November, 1896. I trust you are thoroughly satisfied that the "Zealandia" will in everyway be an acceptable substitute for the "Mariposa." I would like to have your assurance on this point before having the matter finally dealt with by Postmaster-General. It would be most unfortunate at the present juncture should the substitution of the " Zealandia" prove to be a mistake, and unpopular with travellers. If you have the least doubt in the matter, I would urge you to consider whether or not the proposed overhaul of the "Mariposa" should not be deferred until your new steamer is placed on the line. Kindly reply on Monday.

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No. 10. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 21st November, 1896. Quite satisfied "Zealandia" will fulfil contract requirements, and prove acceptable to passengers. She has been in employment for over a year past, and is in good order. Passengers are not numerous from San Francisco in January or from the colony early February. Hope you will approve substitution.

No. 11. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) General Post Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1896. Postmaster-General has approved of substitution of " Zealandia " for " Mariposa " for one round voyage, leaving San Francisco 7th January next. You will, of course, see that the necessary sorting-accommodation and conveniences for Mail Agent are provided. Mail Agent has been instructed to see that this is done before the steamer leaves San Francisco.

No. 12. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1896. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 12th instant, asking the approval of the Postmaster-General to the substitution of the "Zealandia" for the R.M.S. " Mariposa " for one voyage, to allow the latter to undergo repairs on her return to San Francisco, and to your telegram of the 21st idem, in reply to mine of the same date, conveying your assurance that the " Zealandia" would fulfil contract requirements, and prove acceptable to passengers. In reply, I have to inform you that, under the circumstances set out above, the PostmasterGeneral agrees to the "Zealandia" replacing the "Mariposa" for one voyage each way, commencing from San Francisco on the 7th January next. It is assumed that complete mailaccommodation, sorting-room, &c, will be provided. I have, &c, The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company W. Gray, Secretary, of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 13. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th ultimo, enclosing copy of an advice from the J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company that the steamer " Zealandia " would be substituted for the R.M.S. " Mariposa " for the voyage commencing at San Francisco on the 7th January next, while the latter steamer is undergoing repairs; also, copy of your reply thereto. The Union Steam Ship Company, as contractors for the San Francisco service, have made application for the approval of the Postmaster-General to the substitution of the " Zealandia," and after an assurance from the company that the vessel would fulfil contract requirements and prove acceptable to passengers, the desired permission has been granted. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., W. Gray, Secretary. Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.

No. 14. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1896. I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that the Postmaster-General has agreed to the contractors for the San Francisco mail-service substituting the steamer " Zealandia" for the E.M.S. " Mariposa " for one voyage each way, commencing from San Francisco on the 7th January next, to allow the latter vessel to undergo repairs. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. W. Gray, Secretary.

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No. 15. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir, — Dunedin, 24th November, 1896. This gives me the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your telegram of this day's date, advising that the Hon. the Postmaster-General has approved of the substitution of the s.s. "Zealandia" for the "Mariposa" for one round voyage, while the latter is laid up for overhaul. I am obliged to the Hon. the Postmaster-General for the permission granted, and feel satisfied the " Zealandia " will be found in every way up to contract requirements. Your remarks re sortingaccommodation, &c, I am passing on by this mail to Messrs. J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, who, I am sure, will give them every attention. I have, &c, W. Gray, Esq., T. W. Whitson, Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.

No. 16. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — San Francisco, Bth January, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 24th November, . . . from which I learn that the Hon. the Postmaster-General has approved of the substitution of the " Zealandia " for the " Mariposa " as the contract steamer for the conveyance of the January outward mails from this port, subject to fulfilment of their undertaking to place the former vessel in proper condition for the contemplated employment. I have, &c, W. Gray, Esq., H. Stephenson Smith. Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington.

No. 17. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Dear Mr. Mills, — General Post Office, Wellington, sth May, 1897. As suggested by you, I have now decided to send Mr. Dryden to Sydney by the " Monowai " to see to the fitting-up of the " Moana " for mail purposes. I presume this will still meet with your concurrence. I have, &c, James Mills, Esq., Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. W. Gray.

No. 18. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dear Sir,— Dunedin, 10th May, 1897. I have the pleasure of acknowledging yours of the sth instant, and note that you have decided to send Mr. Dryden to Sydney to see to the fitting-up of the " Moana " for mail purposes. This has my cordial approval, and, as the Managing Director will be in Sydney at the time of the " Moana's " visit, I am sure he will be pleased to see that the requirements of the Post Office are met in the fullest manner. Yours faithfully, W. Gray, Esq., T. W. Whitson, Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.

No. 19. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Wellington, 16th February, 1897. Referring to our several interviews on the subject of the late arrival of the last inward San Francisco mail at Auckland by the " Zealandia," when you intimated that penalties had been incurred, and that the Postmaster-General had the matter under consideration, I beg to express a hope that the Postmaster-General will, on consideration of the circumstances, see his way to waive the penalties on this occasion, on the ground that the vessel employed is only a substitute, and we had every reason to believe that she would perform the voyage within the contract time. I understand the vessel was not docked immediately before leaving, for the reason that since her last docking she had been lying in fresh water, and it was expected that she would still be perfectly clean ; otherwise she would have been docked.

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I would urge also for his consideration that every effort is being made in other directions to carry out our contract with credit to ourselves and to the colony. As you know, we are now building on the Clyde a steamer to replace the " Monowai," and capable of performing the voyage in much less than contract time should it be necessary ; and our co-operators in this service, Messrs. Spreckels, are also spending large sums of money on their two steamers, in order to bring them up to date and also to improve their speed. I trust, therefore, that the Postmaster-General will recognise that both Messrs. Spreckels and ourselves are not sparing any expense in our efforts to improve the service, and that, under the circumstances, penalties will be waived in this case. I have, &c, James Mills. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Managing Director.

No. 20. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 26th February, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, on the subject of the late arrival of the R.M.S. " Zealandia" on her recent voyage, and asking that the penalty therefor be waived. The Postmaster-General has given due consideration to your representations, and now directs me, in reply, to inform you that, in view of the circumstances connected with the steamer's late arrival, especially the fact that she was not docked and cleaned before leaving San Francisco, he has decided to enforce the full penalty. I have, &c, The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company W. Gray, Secretary, of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 21. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dear Sir,— Dunedin, sth May, 1897. By the last San Francisco mail I received advice from Messrs. Spreckels Brothers acknowledging receipt of our cable advising the late arrival of the "Zealandia." They express great regret at the occurrence, and hope that the Hon. the Postmaster-General will waive the penalty which she has entailed. They urge that in dealing with the case of the " Zealandia " it should be taken into consideration that on other occasions their steamers have made up time lost in waiting for the mails without getting any compensation for it, and instance the last trip of the " Alameda," which left San Francisco one day late, yet reached Auckland in time. At the date of writing Messrs. Spreckels would not be in possession of our advices that the Hon. the Postmaster-General had decided to enforce the penalty, but we earnestly trust that the Hon. the Postmaster-General will take into favourable consideration the plea put forward by Messrs. Spreckels, and reconsider his decision. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.

No. 22. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 14th May, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth instant, advising that you had received a communication from Messrs. Spreckels Brothers, San Francisco, expressing a hope that the penalty for the late arrival of the " Zealandia " at Auckland would not be enforced, on the ground that their steamers had on other occasions, without compensation, made up the time lost in waiting for the mails. In reply, I have to inform you that the Acting Postmaster-General has reconsidered the matter, but regrets that he is unable to see his way to waive the penalty. I have, &c, The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company W. Gray, Secretary, of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

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No. 23. The Managing Director, Onion Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 21st May, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of 14th instant, and regret that the Acting Postmaster-General is unable to see his way to waive the penalty in connection with the late arrival at Auckland of the " Zealandia" from San Francisco. , I will communicate this to Messrs. Spreckels, who I am sure will be very much disappointed that their application that the lateness of the " Zealandia's" arrival should be made a set-off against the detention at San Francisco without compensation of their other steamers on several occasions could not be entertained. I have, &c, W. Gray, Esq., T. W. Whitson, Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.

No. 24. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. (Memorandum.) Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 30th April, 1897. San Francisco Mails. I beg to transmit herewith copy of correspondence with the London General Post Office on the subject of the delay which took place in the delivery of the mails despatched from New Zealand vid San Francisco to London on the 15th February last. According to the time-table these mails were due to arrive in London on the 24th March, but they were not delivered until the 29th of that month. Walter Kennaway, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. For the Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 24. The Secretary, Agent-General's Department, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir,— 13, Victoria Street, S.W., 12th April, 1897. I am directed by the Agent-General to call your attention to the fact that the New Zealand mails, forwarded by the San Francisco route, and which were due to arrive in London on Wednesday the 24th March last, were not delivered until Monday the 29th of that month, and, in reference thereto, to inquire what was the cause of the delay. I am, &c, Walter Kennaway, Secretary to the Department. The Secretary to the General Post Office, St. Martin's-le-Grand.

Enclosure 2 in No. 24. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-General. Sir, — General Post Office, London, 22nd April, 1897. In reply to your letter of the 12th instant, I beg leave to inform you that the mail from New Zealand vid San Francisco, which should properly have been conveyed by the American packet "Paris," and have arrived here on Wednesday the 24th March, must apparently have reached New York too late for transmission by that steamer, as it was only received on Sunday the 28th, with the mails conveyed by the Cunard packet. There is no information here as to the actual circumstances under which the delay took place. I am, &c, W. Roche, The Agent-General for New Zealand. For the Secretary.

Enclosure 3 in No. 24. The Secretary, Agent-General's Department, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sib,— 13, Victoria Street, S.W., 23rd April, 1897. I am directed by the Agent-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd instant, relative to the delay in the delivery of the mail vid San Francisco, which was due in London on the 24th March last, and, in reference thereto, to state that he would be glad if further inquiry could be made for the purpose of ascertaining the actual circumstances under which the mail was delayed in its transit from San Francisco to New York. It appears to the Agent-General that this information might have an important bearing as a guide for the future, and in view of the arrangements which will have to be made this year for the renewal of the service. He therefore begs leave to request the favour of your making such inquiry as will result in obtaining the required information. I am, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, E.G. Walter Kennaway.

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Enclosure 4 in No. 24. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-General. Sir,— General Post Office, London, 29th April, 1897. Referring to your further letter of the 23rd instant, I beg leave to inform you that, according to a report from the Postmaster of San Francisco, only received here on the 22nd, the steamer " Zealandia," which conveyed the mail for this country, despatched from Auckland on the 20th February, reached San Francisco two days late—namely, on the 13th instead of the 11th March—by reason of her slow speed and the rough weather she encountered. This delay, no doubt, accounts for the failure of the mail to reach New York in time to be sent on to this country by the packet " Paris " on the 17th March. I am, &c, W. Roche, The Agent-General for New Zealand. For the Secretary.

No. 25. The Hon. W. C. Walker to the Agent-General. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 11th June, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of the 30th April last, transmitting copy of correspondence exchanged between your office and the London Post Office on the subject of the delay in the transmission of the mails of the 20th February from this colony for London, vid San Francisco. I have, &c, W. C. Walker, For the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 26. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Uuion Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 26th May, 1897. I have the honour to forward herewith an account showing the amount of £2,468 6s. 9d. to be due your company for the conveyance of mails by the steamers of the San Francisco service during the contract period 1895-96 ; also a statement of the proportion of subsidy earned by each of the mail-steamers. A voucher for the amount due has been passed for payment. You will observe that a penalty of £200 —fifty hours at £4 an hour—has been enforced for the late arrival of the " Monowai "at San Francisco in February, 1896. Should you, however, have any representations to advance in favour of a reduction in the amount I shall be glad to submit them to the Acting Postmaster-General for his consideration. I have, &c. Thomas Rose, The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company For the Secretary, of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 27. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) ' Dunedin, 28th May, 1897. Referring your letter 26: Have you not overlooked clause eleven, which gives forty-eight hours' grace ?

No. 28. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) General Post Office, Wellington, 29th May, 1897. Be penalty : As department reads contract, the penalty for the full time is incurred when the forty-eight hours' limit has been exceeded. I would, however, draw your attention to last paragraph of my letter of 26th.

No. 29. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 10th June, 1897. This gives me the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your favour of 26th ultimo, enclosing schedule of mail-earnings of San Francisco steamers for 1895-96. You have deducted £200 for the

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late arrival of " Monowai " at San Francisco in February, 1896, being at the rate of £4 per hour for fifty hours. This is a mistake. The steamer was fifty hours late, hut clause 11 of the contract allows forty-eight hours' grace before the penalty is incurred. I gather from your telegram of 29th ultimo that your reading of this clause is that no penalty is incurred if the delay does not exceed forty-eight hours, but that if this period is exceeded the penalty applies from the first hour of the steamer being late. This is quite inconsistent with the spirit of the contract, and traverses the arrangement which led to the insertion of the clause. In former contracts there was a provision which gave a bonus of £5 per hour for each hour the steamer arrived in advance of the contract time, and when this provision was withdrawn it was agreed, as a set-off, that no penalty should attach for any delay in arrival inside forty-eight hours. The position was so fully discussed at the time that there could not possibly be any opening for a misunderstanding. I cannot, therefore, accept your construction of the words in the contract, and would ask you to pass a voucher for the amount deducted. With reference to the two hours in excess of the forty-eight hours allowed, I respectfully beg that the Hon. the Postmaster-General will remit the fine incurred thereby. The circumstances which caused the delay on the voyage of the " Monowai " were unusual, and outside the control of the company. I trust, therefore, the Hon. the Postmaster-General will see his way to remit the fine. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.

No. 30. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 2nd July, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th ultimo, urging that the fine for the late arrival of the " Monowai " at San Francisco in February, 1896, might be waived, on the ground that the enforcement of the penalty for the full fifty hours' delay is inconsistent with the spirit of the contract. In reply, I have to inform you that the Acting Postmaster-General is unable to agree that the imposing of the fine of £200 was contrary to the terms of the contract, and he is supported in this view by the opinion of the Solicitor-General on the question. The Hon. Mr. Walker, however, after reviewing the circumstances of the late arrival of the vessel, has decided, as an act of grace, to remit the penalty under the power given him in clause 11 of the agreement, and a voucher for the amount has therefore been passed and sent forward for payment. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, The Managing Director, For the Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 31. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 7th July, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 2nd instant, and have to express my thanks to the Acting Postmaster-General for authorising the issue of a voucher for the £200 deducted in the case of the " Monowai " in connection with her voyage from Auckland to San Francisco in February, 1896. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.

No. 32. The Superintendent of Foreign Mails, Washington, to the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Post Office Department, Office of Foreign Mails, Sir,— Washington, D.C., 3rd October, 1896. Referring to your letter of the 22nd of August last [not printed], in which you request that the Resident Agent for New Zealand at San Francisco may be advised by means of telegrams from the Postmaster of New York of the particulars of the forwarding from New York to San Francisco of the first instalments of the British-Australian closed mails, I have the honour, by direction of the Postmaster-General, to inform you that the necessary instructions for compliance with your request have been issued by this department. I am, &c, N. M. Brooks, Superintendent of Foreign Mails. The Postmaster-General, Wellington, New Zealand.

No. 33. [Read here letter of 16th February, No. 50, under heading of " Canadian-Pacific Mail-service."] 2—F. 6.

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No. 34. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — San Francisco, 3rd February, 1897. I have the honour to report that the R.M.S. "Monowai," conveying the homeward colonial mails, arrived at this port on the 14th January, at 11.30 p.m., too late to connect with the overland express of that date, and we would therefore have been unable to make the connection with the Atlantic steamer appointed to leave New York at 10 a.m. on the 20th January. I therefore placed myself in telegraphic communication with the International Navigation Company of New York, as well as the various route agents of the railway mail-service of the United States between this port and that of New York, and finally succeeded in securing the detention of the s.s. " New York " until connection could be made with the express leaving San Francisco on Friday evening, thus enabling the mails to proceed without the three days' delay at New York that would otherwise have been sustained. The International Navigation Company are entitled to the commendation of the department for their courteous action in holding the s.s. " New York "to secure this benefit. I enclose a copy of a communication conveying the thanks of the New Zealand Government, which I deemed expedient under the circumstances. As this is the first occasion upon which I have been able to influence this steamship company to the extent of delaying the departure of any of their vessels, and as the steamers of this line are almost always timed to depart from New York on the day appointed for the arrival there of the Homeward mails, I think the direct recognition of their action by the department upon this occasion would be in order. I have, &c, W. Gray, Esq., H. Stephenson Smith, Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington. Resident Agent.

Enclosure in No. 34. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the International Steamship Company, New York. Gentlemen, — San Francisco, 27th January, 1897. I have the honour to confirm my telegrams of the 15th and 16th instant [not printed] in reference to the detention of the s.s. " New York," appointed to sail from your port on the 20th of this month. To-day lam in receipt of advices from the Postal Department conveying the pleasing intelligence that our mails succeeded in making the connection sought. I therefore desire to express, on behalf of my Government, their appreciation of your courteous action in this matter, as well as to convey my personal thanks for the important service you have rendered the Postal Departments of the Australian Governments in thus enabling their mails to go forward without suffering the delay consequent upon failure to connect with the transatlantic steamer upon that date. Should your company have incurred any telegraphic or other expenditure of a similar nature, you would confer a favour by informing me of the amount of same, and I will remit. I have, &c, The International Steamship Company, H. Stephenson Smith, No. 6, Bowling Green, New York. Resident Agent.

No. 35. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the President, International Steamship Company, New York. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 2nd March, 1897. The Resident Agent for the New Zealand Government in San Francisco has reported that upon the occasion of the despatch of the Australasian mails for Europe from New York on the 20th January last you were good enough to postpone the departure of the s.s. " New York," in order to avoid the delay to the mails which would have resulted had the steamer gone at the hour appointed. The Postmaster-General of this colony was much gratified on learning of the consideration shown by your company on the occasion in question. It obviated a serious delay to the colonial mails in New York, and I am to offer you his best thanks for your courtesy. I have, &c, The President, International Steamship Company, W. Gray, Secretary. No. 6, Bowling Green, New York.

No. 36. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 2nd March, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd ultimo, reporting upon the despatch of the homeward colonial mails from New York on the 20th January, when the

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International Steamship Company was good enough to detain at your request the s.s. " New York," in order that mails might connect with her. The department was much gratified on learning of the consideration shown by the International Company, which evidently prevented a serious delay to our mails at New York. As you suggested, a letter of thanks has been sent to the company from this office, a copy of which I attach hereto. The department also owes you its thanks for your action in the matter. I have, &c, The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 37. The International Navigation Company, Philadelphia, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. International Navigation Company, Office of the President, Sir,— 305, Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 20th April, 1897. I am obliged for your communication of the 2nd of March. It will always gratify this company to facilitate the despatch of Australasian mails for Europe from New York whenever it is possible to do so. Believe me, &c, W. Gray, Esq., Clement A. Griscom, Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, New Zealand. President.

No. 38. The Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 26th May, 1897. I have the honour to inform you that the Mail Agent of the R.M.S. "Monowai" reports that the mails for Australasia which left Liverpool by the s.s. "Britannic" on the 14th ultimo did not reach San Francisco until twelve hours after those forwarded by the s.s. " Umbria " three days later, thus delaying the departure of the " Monowai." It was ascertained that the " Britannic's " mails were detained on the overland journey across the United States of America by a wash-out on the railway, having been sent by a different route from those by the "Umbria." As it has previously happened that mails sent from Liverpool have arrived at San Francisco after those despatched later, I should be glad to learn that it is possible to arrange for forwarding the first instalment of mails by steamers leaving Liverpool earlier than those at present used. Such an arrangement would obviate a recurrence of any delay similar to that under notice, and would also be a convenience to the Mail Agent, enabling him to deal with the heavier portion of the mail before leaving San Francisco. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, The Secretary, General Post Office, London. For the Postmaster-General.

No. 39. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th May, 1897. In September last I understand the United States Congress had included in the Appropriation Bill for that year a grant in aid of the Oceanic Steamship Company in its performance of the New Zealand mail-service. This appropriation appears not to have been sanctioned. I should be very glad if you could furnish me with information, especially copies of any documents or any convention showing the effect of any recent legislation of the United States Congress whereby the subsidy for the San Francisco mail-service is increased. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company For the Secretary, of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 40. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 9th June, 1897. , I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 28th ultimo, inquiring re the increased subsidy voted by the United States Government for the performance of the New

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Zealand mail-services. I am sorry I cannot supply you with any documents referring to this matter, but I may mention that the money was duly voted, and that we have received from the Oceanic Company two instalments of our share. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.

No. 41. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Dnion Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 16th June, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, in reply to mine of the 28th ultimo, informing me that you were not able to supply copies of any documents referring to the increase by the United States Congress of the subsidy for the San Francisco mail-service, but that the money was duly voted, and that two instalments of your company's share had been received from the Oceanic Steam Ship Company. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, The Managing Director, For the Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

CANADIAN-PACIFIC MAIL-SEEVICE. No. 42. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Telegram.) 29th June, 1896. Huddart anxious re Vancouver service scheme. His agent arrives Wellington Thursday.

No. 43. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Telegram.) 30th September, 1896. Huddart anxious to know what is being done about Vancouver service. Is now ready to commence running as soon as New Zealand Government is ready to conclude contract.

No. 44. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Premier's Office, Wellington, 11th October, 1896. Vancouver service : Nothing done, and not likely to be. General feeling in favour of holding over until expiry of present San Francisco contract.

No. 45. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Memorandum.) 16th October, 1896. Vancouver Mail-service. Referring to the cablegrams, copies of which I herewith enclose [see Nos. 42, 43, 44], I beg to transmit copy of letter from Mr. James Huddart relative to the present position of the proposal to establish a mail-service to New Zealand vid Vancouver. W. P. Reeves. Hon. the Premier.

Enclosure 1 in No. 45. Mr. Huddart to the Agent-General. Sir,— 22, Billiter Street, London, E.C., 13th October, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Kennaway's letter [see enclosure in No. 53], informing me that you have received a cablegram stating that nothing is likely to be done respecting the Vancouver mail-service, the general feeling in the New Zealand Parliament being in favour of holding the question over until the expiry of the present San Francisco mailservice contract. Thus, we are not informed as to whether your Government has submitted to the New Zealand Parliament the contract which was signed, sealed, and delivered in your office, in the presence of your predecessor, by Mr. Ward (the former Treasurer and Postmaster-General of New Zealand) and by myself, on the 19th of April, 1895. [See F.-9, 1895.]

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It was clearly understood by us that this contract would be put before Parliament for ratification during the session of 1895 ; and, in order to afford the New Zealand Government every facility and information within my power, I instructed my secretary (Mr. Robert Grayson) to proceed to New Zealand. This he did, and remained in Wellington from the time Mr. "Ward returned to New Zealand until the end of the session ; but the ratification of the contract was postponed until the session of 1896. This delay we submitted to, in the full belief that the contract would be ratified during the parliamentary session of this year. On the 30th April last we despatched a cable to the Hon. Mr. Ward, who was then Treasurer and Postmaster-General, at Wellington, as follows : " Now making every arrangement third steamer. There will not be any delay. If you can recommend, I will leave as soon as possible for Wellington." On the 22nd May I received from your office the following copy of a cable received from the Premier of New Zealand, addressed to you, and dated Wellington, 21st May : " Previously informed Huddart submit resolution about end June. He must exercise his own discretion as to coming. His presence would assist." A day previous to this I had received a cablegram direct from Mr. Ward, dated Wellington, 20th May, reading as follows : " Will submit resolution to Parliament about end of June. Exercise your own discretion as to coming." Of course, it was impossible for me to be in Wellington by the end of June, even if I had left within forty-eight hours of the receipt of the cable, by the next Suez mail; but my secretary, Mr. Eobert Grayson, was at that time at Ottawa, and I found it was possible for him, by taking the next mailtrain to Vancouver, to secure a passage in the " Warrimoo," leaving Vancouver on the 31st May. Accordingly, I repeated the cablegram of your Premier to Mr. Grayson, and instructed him to proceed forthwith to Wellington, via Sydney, or, if he could secure a steamship connection at Fiji, to proceed by that route. Mr. Grayson ultimately reached Wellington, via Sydney, about the end of June or beginning of July, so that he has been there for upwards of three months, in attendance upon the Government, and doing what was practicable to facilitate the consideration of the question. At the present moment we are not aware as to whether Parliament has been prorogued, or whether the Vancouver mail-service contract has been brought forward formally by the Premier, with a view to securing its ratification by Parliament. In the meantime we have taken the irrevocable step of adding the s.s. " Aorangi " to our fleet of steamships, for the special purpose of carrying out in good faith the contract into which we entered with your Government eighteen months ago. It is inevitable that we shall incorporate either Wellington or Auckland in our time-table from about the month of May next, and we are looking to your Government to carry out their part of the agreement. It is, therefore, most disappointing to receive from you at this juncture intimation that your Government is not dealing with the question at present, nor are we informed as to exactly when the present San Francisco mail-service contract shall expire. Will you kindly give us this information? We cannot suppose that your Government is indifferent to the securing of this excellent mailservice to and from Europe by way of British North America. For several years there have been negotiations for the inauguration of this service, and, now that the arrangements are completed for the fulfilment of it, it would be disastrous to all the interests involved if the New Zealand Government should not, earnestly and in good faith, put forward this contract, and with the whole strength of their majority secure the ratification thereof in Parliament. As you are well aware, a conference is about to meet in London to discuss the policy of the formation of a Pacific cable. It has always been assumed that the Colony of New Zealand is much interested in the success of this project, and would give it its practical assistance. But if the existence of the Vancouver mail-service is threatened, by reason of the indifference or lukewarmness of the New Zealand Government, it will be useless to pursue the discussion upon the Pacific cable, as the one is the complement of the other. In these circumstances, I rely with implicit confidence upon your doing what is possible to assist us to secure from your Parliament in due time the ratification of the contract entered into between your Government and ourselves, and upon the faith of which we have added so much capital to our business. The date fixed for the first steamship to leave Sydney for Vancouver, via a New Zealand port, is the 22nd May, 1897, and from that date we shall expect the New Zealand Government to contribute its portion of the subsidy contracted for. If you are desirous of further discussing with me the position I shall be glad to respond to any appointment which it may be convenient for you to make. I have, &c, Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand. James Huddaet.

Enclosure 2 in No. 45. The Agent-General to Mr. Huddart. Sir,— 13, Victoria Street, S.W., 14th October, 1896. I am directed by the Agent-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th instant, respecting the proposed Vancouver mail-service, and in reference thereto to inform you that a copy of the same will be sent to the New Zealand Government for their consideration. With regard to the contract which you state was signed by Mr. Ward and yourself in April, 1895, the carrying into effect of which was made subject to its ratification by the New Zealand Parliament, you are probably aware that a copy of the same was laid upon the table of the House of Representatives in its 1895 session. The Agent-General is unable to give you any information as to any further steps taken by his Government in respect thereto, but he feels sure that in deferring the final consideration of the proposal they have acted with due regard to the interests involved.

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In reply to your inquiry, I have to inform you that the San Francisco mail-service contract extends to November, 1897. Yours, &c, James Huddart, Esq., 22, Billiter Street, E.C. Walter Kennaway, Secretary.

No. 46. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Postal and Electric Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Sir,— Sydney, 21st November, 1896. I am directed to forward, for the information of the Postmaster-General of New Zealand, the enclosed copy of a communication received from Mr. Robert Grayson, representative of Mr. James Huddart, of the Canadian-Australian Steamship line, together with copies of two suggested time-tables in connection with the Canadian-Australian mail-service, one providing for the steamers of the line calling at Wellington and the other for their calling at Auckland. I am also to state that the Postmaster-General of this colony has no objection to the adoption of one or other of the proposals, and considers that an effort should be made to secure such a great point as that involved. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Deputy Postmaster-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 46. Mr. Robert Grayson (representing Mr. James Huddart) to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir,— Sydney, 14th November, 1896. Referring to the conversation which I had the honour to have with you some days ago with reference to the proposed new time-table for the Canadian-Australian Steamship line, I now beg to enclose you herewith two suggested time-tables—one, marked " A," providing for the steamships going via Wellington, and the other, marked " B," providing for the steamships going vid Auckland. I may say that, in connection with the port in New Zealand at which the steamships shall call, the understanding with the New Zealand Government was that the matter was to be left to the steamship company, and in this connection I may say that nothing definite has been, so far, decided. Referring to the time-table marked "A," you will note that this provides for the steamships leaving Sydney on Saturdays at 1 p.m.—that is, allowing for the time of receipt of the Melbourne mail. If you follow the time-table through you will see that in sailing from Sydney on the Saturday it obviates our arriving at or departing from any intermediate ports on a Sunday. It also provides for arriving at Vancouver on a Thursday, which enables connection to be made with the fast New York steamships on the following Wednesday. We may say that in drawing up this time-table we have endeavoured to make the best connection possible on every occasion. The time-table as drawn up allows for performing the service from Wellington, New Zealand, equal to the present average service of the San Francisco line, which is thirty-three days from Auckland, and thirty-five days from Wellington. In this connection, however, it is, of course, necessary to point out that our route across the Pacific is more lengthy, and until such time as the fast Canadian-Atlantic service is established we are also at a disadvantage. However, as I have just mentioned, in spite of this, the suggested time-table we send you provides for landing the mails in London from New Zealand in equal time to the San Francisco service. An important point to which I have the honour to direct your attention is that under the timetable now proposed the stay of the steamships in Vancouver amounts to eleven days and in Sydney to twenty days. The reason of this, you will readily understand, is that Sydney being our terminal port, where all our coal-supplies are obtained, stores purchased, repairs effected, &c, it is essential that full advantage shall be taken to give the extra time available to the Port of Sydney. In considering the question of alternating with the San Francisco line, which, of course, it is the desire of both your Government and the Government of New Zealand that we should do, for mail and trade purposes, we have to face the fact that the present time-table of the San Francisco line allows for a detention of thirteen days and twenty days in Sydney and San Francisco respectively. In order to adjust this, therefore, and have the sailings to alternate, it would be necessary for the present San Francisco steamers to reverse their practice, and give themselves thirteen days in San Francisco and twenty days in Sydney. Seeing that the present San Francisco contract is with the Government of New Zealand, I shall be glad if you will be good enough to represent this matter to the Postmaster-General of New Zealand, in order that he may take into his consideration the question of so arranging the San Francisco time-table as to permit of the two services alternating. I apprehend that, in view of the importance of the question to your Government, no objection would be taken by New Zealand to this. As I think it likely that the time-table will require discussion and explanation, I beg to say that I shall be happy to call upon you at any moment you may desire in connection therewith. The work at the R.M.S. " Aorangi " is being pushed forward, and it is desirable that a timetable shall be approved as early as possible. If it were possible that this matter could be taken up with the Postmaster-General of New Zealand by the next outgoing New Zealand mail, leaving on Wednesday, 18th instant, I should feel extremely obliged. I have. &c, Robert Grayson, Representing James Huddart. The Hon. J. Cook, M.L.A., Postmaster-General, Sydney.

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Enclosure 2 in No. 46. Proposed New Time-table of the Canadian-Australian Steamship Line from the 22nd May, 1897.

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Steamer. Leave Arrive Leave Arrive Leave Arrive Leave Arrive Leave Arrive Sydney, Wellington, Wellington, Suva, Suva, Honolulu, Honolulu, Victoria, Victoria, Vancouver, Saturday, Wednesday, Thursday, Tuesday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 1 p.m. 3 p.m. Noon. 6 a.m. 1 p.m. 6 a.m. 3 p.m. 1 p.m. Midnight. 1 a.m. Leave Leave Arrive Vancouver, New York SouthampThursday, Wednesd ton 2 p.m. J Tuesday. Arrive London, Wednesday. " Aorangi" " Miowera" " Warrimoo " " Aorangi " " Miowera" " Warrimoo " " Aorangi" " Miowera" May 22 June 19 July 17 Aug. 14 Sept. 11 Oct. 9 Nov. 6 Dec. 4 May 26 June 23 July 21 Aug. 18 Sept. 15 Oct. 13 Nov. 10 Dec. 8 May 27 June 24 July 22 Aug. 19 Sept. 16 Oct. 14 Nov. 11 Dec. 9 June 1 June 29 July 27 Aug. 24 Sept. 21 Oct. 19 Nov. 16 Dec. 14 June 1 June 29 July 27 Aug. 24 Sept. 21 Oct. 19 Nov. 16 Dec. 14 June 9 July 7 Aug. 4 Sept. 1 Sept. 29 Oct. 27 Nov. 24 Dec. 22 June 9 July 7 Aug. 4 Sept. 1 Sept. 29 Oct. 27 Nov. 24 Dec. 22 June 16 July 14 Aug. 11 Sept. 8 Oct. 6 Nov. 3 Dec. 1 Dec. 29 June 16 July 14 Aug. 11 Sept. 8 Oct. 6 Nov. 3 Dec. 1 Dec. 29 June 17 July 15 Aug. 12 Sept. 9 Oct. 7 Nov. 4 Dec. 2 Dec. 30 June 17 July 15 Aug. 12 Sept. 9 Oct. 7 Nov. 4 Dec. 2 Dec. 30 June 23 July 21 Aug. 18 Sept. 15 Oct. 13 Nov. 10 Dec. 8 Jan. 5 June 29 July 27 Aug. 24 Sept. 21 Oct. 19 Nov. 16 Dec. 14 Jan. 11 June 30 July 28 Aug. 25 Sept. 22 Oct. 20 Nov. 17 Dec. 15 Jan. 12 Steamer. Leave Vancouver, \ Monday. Arrive Victoria, Monday. Leave Victoria, Monday. Arrive Honolulu, Tuesday. Leave Honolulu, Tuesday. Arrive Suva, Friday. Leave Suva, Friday. Arrive Wellington, Wednesday. Leave Wellington, Wednesday. Arrive Sydney, Sunday. Leave London, Wednesday. Arrive New York, Tuesday. Leave New York, Tuesday. Arrive Vancouver, Monday. j " Aorangi" " Miowera" " Warrimoo " " Aorangi" " Miowera " " Warrimoo " " Aorangi" ... j June 28 ... I July 26 ... ! Aug. 23 ... i Sept. 20 ... ! Oct. 18 ... i Nov. 15 ... | Dec. 13 June 28 July 26 Aug. 23 Sept. 20 Oct. 18 Nov. 15 Dec. 13 June 28 July 26 Aug. 23 Sept. 20 Oct. 18 Nov. 15 : Dec. 13 j July 6 Aug. 3 Aug. 31 Sept. 28 Oct. 26 Nov. 23 Dec. 21 July 6 Aug. 3 Aug. 31 Sept. 28 Oct. 26 Nov. 23 Dec. 21 July 16 Aug. 13 Sept. 10 Oct. 8 Nov. 5 Dec. 3 Dec. 31 July 16 Aug. 13 Sept. 10 Oct. 8 Nov. 5 Dec. 3 Dec. 31 July 21 Aug. 18 Sept. 15 Oct. 13 Nov. 10 Dec. 8 Jan. 5 July 21 Aug. 18 Sept. 15 Oct. 13 Nov. 10 Dec. 8 Jan. 5 July 25 Aug. 22 Sept. 19 Oct. 17 Nov. 14 Dec. 12 Jan. 9 June 16 July 14 Aug. 11 Sept. 8 Oct. 6 Nov. 3 Dec. 1 June 22 July 20 Aug. 17 Sept. 14 Oct. 12 Nov. 9 Dec. 7 June 22 July 20 Aug. 17 Sept. 14 Oct. 12 Nov. 9 Dec. 7 June 28 July 26 Aug. 23 Sept. 20 Oct. 18 Nov. 15 Dec. 13

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Enclosure 3 in No. 46. Proposed New Time-table of the Canadian-Australian Steamship Line from May, 1897.

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Steamer. Leave Sydney, Wednesday. Arrive Auckland, Sunday. Leave Auckland, Monday. Arrive Suva, Friday. Leave Suva, Friday. Arrive Honolulu, Saturday. Leave Honolulu, Saturday. Arrive Victoria, Saturday. Leave Arrive Leave Leave , Victoria, , Vancouver, Vancouver, New York, ,- , Saturday. Sunday. Sunday. Saturday. on ° " Aorangi" " Miowera " " Warrimoo " " Aorangi " " Miowera " " Warrimoo " " Aorangi" " Miowera " May 26 June 23 July 21 Aug. 18 Sept. 15 Oct. 13 Nov. 10 Dec. 8 May 30 June 27 July 25 Aug. 22 Sept. 19 Oct. 17 Nov. 14 Dec. 12 May 31 June 28 July 26 Aug. 23 Sept. 20 Oct. 18 Nov. 15 Dec. 13 June 4 July 2 July 30 Aug. 27 Sept. 24 Oct. 22 Nov. 19 Dec. 17 June 4 July 2 July 30 Aug. 27 Sept. 24 Oct. 22 Nov. 19 Dec. 17 June 12 July 10 Aug. 7 Sept. 4 Oct. 2 Oct. 30 Nov. 27 Dec. 25 June 12 July 10 Aug. 7 Sept. 4 Oct. 2 Oct. 30 Nov. 27 Dec. 25 June 19 July 17 Aug. 14 Sept. 11 Oct. 9 Nov. 6 Dec. 4 Jan. 1 June 19 July 17 Aug. 14 Sept. 11 Oct. 9 Nov. 6 Dec. 4 Jan. 1 June 20 July 18 Aug. 15 Sept. 12 Oct. 10 Nov. 7 Dec. 5 Jan. 2 June 20 July 18 Aug. 15 Sept. 12 Oct. 10 Nov. 7 Dec. 5 Jan. 2 June 26 July 24 Aug. 21 Sept. 18 Oct. 16 Nov. 13 Dec. 11 Jan. 8 July 3 July 31 Aug. 28 Sept. 25 Oct. 23 Nov. 20 Dec. 18 Jan. 15 Steamer. Leave London. Leave New York. Arrive Vancouver, Thursday. Leave Vancouver, Thursday, Arrive Victoria, Thursday. Leave Arrive Victoria, ; Honolulu, Thursday. Friday. Leave Honolulu, Friday. Arrive Leave Suva, Suva, Monday. Monday. Arrive Auckland, Friday. Leave Auckland, Friday. Arrive Sydney, Tuesday. " Aorangi" " Miowera " " Warrimoo " '' Aorangi '' Miowera " Warrimoo " '' Aorangi'' " Miowera " June 19 Julv 17 Aug. 14 Sept. 11 Oct. 9 Nov. 6 Dec. 4 Jan. 1 June 26 Julv 24 Aug. 21 Sept. 18 Oct. 16 Nov. 13 Dec. 11 Jan. 8 July 1 July 29 Aug. 26 Sept. 23 Oct. 21 Nov. 18 Dec. 16 Jan. 13 July 1 July 29 Aug. 26 Sept. 23 Oct. 21 Nov. 18 Dec. 16 Jan. 13 July 1 July 29 Aug. 26 Sept. 23 Oct. 21 Nov. 18 Dec. 16 Jan. 13 July 1 July 29 Aug. 26 Sept. 23 Oct. 21 Nov. 18 Dec. 16 Jan. 13 July 9 Aug. 6 Sept. 3 Oct. 1 Oct. 29 Nov. 26 Dec. 24 Jan. 21 July 9 Aug. 6 Sept. 3 Oct. 1 Oct. 29 Nov. 26 Dec. 24 Jan. 21 July 19 Aug. 16 Sept. 13 Oct. 11 Nov. 8 Dec. 6 Jan. 3 Jan. 31 July 19 Aug. 16 Sept. 13 Oct. 11 Nov. 8 Dec. 6 Jan. 3 Jan. 31 July 23 . Aug. 20 Sept. 17 Oct. 15 Nov. 12 Dec. 10 Jan. 7 Feb. 4 July 23 Aug. 20 Sept. 17 Oct. 15 Nov. 12 Dec. 10 Jan. 7 Feb. 4 July 27 Aug. 24 Sept. 21 Oct. 19 Nov. 16 Dec. 14 Jan. 11 Feb. 8

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No. 47. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 12th December, 1896. Vancouver service and Huddart's letter of 13th October : Provisional agreement submitted to House, session 1895. Not persevered with. Not deemed advisable to bring forward last session. Intend to submit, with renewal of San Francisco service, to new House. Warn Huddart against commencing service as proposed in expectation of receiving subsidy from colony. Without authority of House to establish service Government will not allow colony to be committed in any way. This cannot be made too clear to Huddart.

No. 48. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 16th December, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st ultimo, forwarding copy of a letter from Mr. Robert Grayson, representative of Mr. James Huddart, together with copies of two suggested time-tables in connection with the Canadian-Australian mail-service, one providing for the steamers of that line calling at Wellington and the other for their calling at Auckland. The matter has been laid before the Postmaster-General, who directs me to say, in reply, that, after careful consideration, he is unable to recognise the proposal to run the Sydney-Vancouver service, vid Wellington or Auckland, until the Parliament of this colony shall have dealt with the question, and authorised the Government to arrange for the service. The suggested time-table, therefore, could not be considered in the meantime. I am, however, to point out that the proposal pre-supposes the varying of the existing time-table of the Auckland-San Francisco mail-steamers, as well as the dates of despatch of the mails from London, and at the present moment it would not be convenient to discuss such a change. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 49. Mr. Robert Grayson (representing Mr. James Huddart) to the Hon. the Premier. Canadian-Australian Steamship Line, Queen's Chambers, Sir,— Wellington, 19th October, 1896. Referring to the question of the establishment of the mail-service between New Zealand and Canada, and to the interviews which I have had the honour to have with you in connection therewith, I regret that the somewhat unusual pressure of more urgent parliamentary business has prevented the Customs Duties Reciprocity Bill from being dealt with this session, and has consequently necessitated the postponement of the consideration by Parliament of the Vancouver service mail contract, as entered into between the late Postmaster-General and Mr. James Huddart. Having in view the ratification of this contract by Parliament, we recently purchased from the New Zealand Shipping Company their s.s. " Aorangi," and at the present moment this steamship is being fitted with new triple-expansion engines, and, in addition, the whole of her saloon and cabin accommodation is being modernised, at an expenditure of some £40,000. I may say that, after having given the subject most careful consideration, we are at the moment inclined, on the arrival of the " Aorangi" in Australasia, to forthwith establish a four-weekly service between either Auckland or Wellington (which port can be decided later on) and Vancouver, B.C. This service cannot be carried on successfully without the assistance of the subsidy arranged for in the provisional contract; but it appears to us that it would be an indication of our faith in the ultimate success of the enterprise if we decided to establish the service before the question has been before Parliament or the contract ratified. In doing this we feel that we should not be prejudicing our present position so far as the provisional contract is concerned, but that our action would rather stimulate the interest and sympathy of the people of this colony, and it is not the first time in our experience that the bold course has proved to be the wise course. On the arrival of our first steamship in New Zealand (alternating with the San Francisco steamers) we should be able to offer you a quick and reliable mail route to London and all Canadian and American points. This should obviate the necessity of your utilising the Suez route for London correspondence, because, running alternately with the present San Francisco service, your colony would then have a regular fortnightly service to Europe. Pending the consideration of the question of granting a subsidy by Parliament next session, all we should ask would be that our mail-service should receive the fullest advertisement at the hands of your Postal Department, in order that full advantage may be taken of the service by the public, and, by way of remuneration for carrying the mails, we should only ask the ordinary poundage rates which you are at present paying to the other company —viz., 12s. per pound on the net weight of letters conveyed from New Zealand, and that the contributions from the Imperial Government on the return mails should be paid over to our company, after deducting any payments made or expenses incurred by the Postmaster-General, as usual. I need scarcely add that I hope that our action in deciding to initiate this service pending the consideration of the question by Parliament will be looked upon in a favourable light by your 3—F. 6.

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Government. We feel assured that there is a successful future in store for this service, which has the advantage of being entirely under British control, and, seeing that the service is already being supported by the Governments of Canada and New South Wales, as well as by the Crown colony of Fiji, I feel certain that, when the Parliament of New Zealand gets a further opportunity of discussing the question after the initiation of the service, they will decide to become associated with the other colonies mentioned in supporting the service. I have, &c, Robert Grayson, Representing James Huddart. The Hon. R. J. Seddon, M.H.R., Premier, Wellington.

No. 50. The Hon. W. C. Walker to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, 16th February, 1897. I have now the honour to refer to your memorandum of the 16th October last, covering copy of letter from Mr. James Huddart, relative to the provisional agreement signed by the Hon. Mr. Ward and himself in London on the 19th April, 1895, for extending the Vancouver service to New Zealand, and to the cabled reply forwarded by the Premier on the 12th December last, copy of which is enclosed. The position taken up by Mr. Huddart appears to have been unwarranted. As you are aware, not only was the provisional agreement laid on the table of the House of Representatives in the session of 1895, but a vote of £5,000 in aid of the service was also proposed. These, for reasons not now necessary to discuss, were withdrawn. It was the intention to again have brought forward the question last session, but, as the renewal of the San Francisco service necessarily had to be dealt with this year, Government deemed it more advisable to further defer consideration of the Vancouver service in order that proposals dealing comprehensively with both services might be submitted to the new House ; and, as indicated in the Premier's cablegram, the Government could not recognise any proposals of Mr. Huddart's for extending the Sydney-Vancouver service to New Zealand until Parliament had come to a decision on the question. In anticipation of the discussion in Parliament next session, it is necessary that Government should know what support is to be given by the Imperial authorities to such a service, and I shall be obliged if you will place yourself in communication with the London Post Office, and ascertain what contribution will be made by the Imperial Government towards the cost of a Vancouver service subsidised by this colony to secure, with that via San Francisco, a fast fortnightly exchange of mails between Great Britain and New Zealand. It is also advisable that you should obtain from the representative of the Canadian Government the rates which would be charged for territorial transit of the colonial mails between the Pacific and the Atlantic seaboards. Owing to its geographical position, New Zealand, as you are aware, is not one of the contracting parties to the Federal or Suez mail-service, and that up to the present no ocean mail-service has met the colony's requirements so satisfactorily as that via San Francisco—circumstances which should have due weight with the Imperial Government in contributing to the cost of any renewed San Francisco service, and also in assisting the colony to establish and maintain an alternative mail-line by way of Vancouver. In negotiating for the renewal of the San Francisco service, the Government intends to stipulate for shortening the time between New Zealand and San Francisco, and for improving the service generally. Already the contractors are building a larger and more powerful steamer to replace the " Monowai," and should Parliament decide on a renewal of the service for a term of years, and to pay a reasonable subsidy, other improvements will no doubt follow. In connection with the renewal of the San Francisco service in 1893 for three years, the London Post Office agreed, as you will learn from your predecessor's letter of the 4th October of that year, to continue its present contribution until the next Postal Union Congress, which meets in Washington in May next. There is no reason to suppose that this payment will not be continued until the expiration of the contract; but it would be as well if you approached the London Post Office authorities and obtained their consent to this. With respect to the Washington Postal Union Congress, I should inform you that the delegate for Australasia (who is not yet appointed) is to be instructed to bring forward the question of the high territorial transit charges now levied by the United States Post Office on the colonial mails, and to appeal for a substantial reduction in the rates. I venture to hope that the London Post Office may be disposed to support the reduction, and I would like you to communicate with the authorities to this end. The position of the territorial transit rates, so far as they affect this colony, will be found in Parliamentary Paper F.-6, 1894, pages 20 and 26. I have, &c, The Hon. W. P. Reeves, W. C. Walker, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. In the absence of the Premier.

No. 51. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Ottawa. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 18th February, 1897. I have the honour to inform you that the question of extending the Sydney-Vancouver steam-service to New Zealand is to be considered by the Parliament of this colony at its ensuing

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session. In view of this, the Postmaster-General is desirous of obtaining from you such information as you are able to furnish in connection with the transport of the mails between Vancouver and Great Britain. Information on the following points would be particularly acceptable :— What rates would be charged for the territorial transit of our mails ? Would the mails to and from Great Britain continue to be forwarded to New York until the fast Atlantic service is established ? If so, would the Canadian Post Office make provision for the conveyance by the swiftest steamers? As a portion of the overland carriage would be over United States territory, would this result in any increase in the transit rates, or require special agreement with the Washington Post Office ? How are the mails dealt with after arrival at Vancouver ? At what point are the mails from the colonies placed on the trains for the east, and at what point transferred to the trains for New York ? Who has charge of the mails during the railway transit—a postal officer or a railway official? Particulars of the railway-running and distances, as well as the time the through journeys take, and any other particulars connected with the railway mail-service would be of interest. In connection with the territorial transit charges, I attach for your information copies of cable messages exchanged between the Premier of Canada and the late Postmaster-General in July, 1895 [see Nos. 52 and 53, F.-6, 1895]. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Canada. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 52. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Canada. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 18th February, 1897. Referring to my letter of to-day's date, desiring to be furnished with information in respect of the transport of mails between Vancouver and Great Britain, I should be glad if you would also forward me a copy of the conditions and specifications under which tenders were invited for the fast Atlantic mail-service. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Canada. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 53. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Memorandum.) Ist February, 1897. Vancouver Mail-service. Referring to memorandum of the 24th December last, transmitting copy of cablegram of the 12th of that month, I beg to enclose herewith copy of letter, which, in accordance with the instructions contained in the cablegram, I caused to be addressed to Mr. James Huddart. Hon. the Premier. W. P. Reeves.

Enclosure in No. 53. The Secretary to the Agent-General to Mr. Huddart. Sir,— 13, Victoria Street, S.W., 12th December, 1896. I am directed by the Agent-General to inform you that his Government, having had before them your letter to him of the 13th October last, respecting the proposed Vancouver mail-service, have instructed him to state, in reference thereto, that the provisional agreement was submitted to the New Zealand House of Representatives in the session of 1895, though it was not then persevered with, and that it was not deemed advisable to bring it forward again during the session of this year, but that the Government intend submitting it to the House of Representatives which has lately been elected, conjointly with the renewal of the San Francisco mail-service. I am further directed by the Agent-General to state that his Government have instructed him to warn you very explicitly against commencing the service as proposed, in the expectation, on your part, of your receiving a subsidy, as without proper authority his Government will not allow the colony to be committed in any way in respect to the arrangement of its mail-services. I am, &c, Walter Kennaway, James Huddart, Esq., 22, Billiter Street, E.C. Secretary to the Department.

No. 54. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Memorandum.) Premier's Office, Wellington, Ist April, 1897. Vancouver Mail-service. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of the Ist February, forwarding copy of a letter sent by you to Mr. James Huddart in connection with the above service. The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. R. J. Seddon,

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No. 55. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, to the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Post Office Department, Canada, Sir,— Ottawa, 2nd April, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 18th February last, stating that it is proposed to establish an exchange of mails between New Zealand and Great Britain by way of Canada, and asking for certain information bearing thereon. In reply to your inquiries, I beg leave to say, — (1.) That the Canadian territorial transit rate is 2 francs per kilogram for letters and post-cards and 25 centimes per kilogram for other matter. (2.) Your mails for Great Britain would be forwarded by way of New York whenever there would be a gain in time by doing so. This would involve a further territorial transit charge equal to the Canadian. No special arrangement with the United States Post Office would be necessary. (3.) On arrival at Vancouver, mails for Great Britain are immediately placed on board the Canadian Pacific Railway train going east, in charge of an officer of the Canadian Post Office, and when intended for transmission vid New York are transferred to other trains, either at Moose Jaw (Pasqna Junction), Winnipeg, or Montreal, according to circumstances. (4.) The train from Vancouver leaves at 2 p.m., and arrives at Pasqna Junction 50 hours after ; at Winnipeg, 66 hours 30 minutes after; at Montreal, 121 hours 45 minutes after; at Quebec, 132 hours 30 minutes after ; at Halifax, 146 hours 10 minutes after. (5.) The steamers under contract with the Canadian Government sail from Quebec weekly in summer, and Halifax weekly in winter. (6.) The ordinary running-time between Montreal and New York is fourteen or fifteen hours. In conclusion, I have to express regret that I am not able at present to communicate to you the stipulations for the proposed fast service between Canada and Great Britain. I have, &c, William White, The Postmaster-General, Wellington, New Zealand. Deputy Postmaster-General.

No. 56. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 13th May, 1897. I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of and to thank you for your letter of the 2nd ultimo, forwarding information in respect of the transport of mails between Vancouver and Great Britain. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Canada. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 57. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— Bth April, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th February last, relative to the Vancouver mail-service to New Zealand, and in reference thereto to inform you that, in accordance with your instructions, I have placed myself in communication with the Imperial postal authorities, and with the High Commissioner for Canada, with the view of obtaining the information which you have desired me to procure. I venture to point out, however, that, on approaching the Imperial Government with respect to a subsidy, I am under the disadvantage of not being able to give fuller particulars as regards the proposed service, and the intentions of the New Zealand Government in reference thereto. It is true that I have the provisional agreement made with Messrs. Huddart in 1895, but I have no authority to state that the Government are prepared to adopt its provisions. Nor am I able to give very definitely the intentions of the Government as regards the San Francisco service. Judging from previous experience, the Imperial Government are not favourably inclined towards the Pacific mail-route, their inclination apparently being as far as possible to avail themselves of the Federal or Suez mail-service. It would therefore be important that in negotiating with the Imperial Government I should be supplied as soon as possible with definite particulars of the conditions under which the Government propose that the two Pacific services shall be established as regards route, amount of subsidy, time between New Zealand and England, &c. In order to obtain the most favourable consideration of the Imperial Government of the proposals it is important that this information should be as complete as possible. As regards the Vancouver service, it is at present supported by subsidies from Canada, New South Wales, and Fiji, and is being carried on without any help from the Imperial Government, so that the prospects of obtaining a subsidy for extending the service to New Zealand is somewhat uncertain, more especially now that the colony belongs to the Postal Union. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Reeves.

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No. 58. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 9th June, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth April last, asking for further information on the subject of the proposed calling at New Zealand of the steamers of the Vancouver mail-service, to enable you to approach the Imperial Post Office on the question of granting a subsidy towards the cost of the service. As the Hon. the Premier, before leaving for England, obtained a copy of correspondence bearing on the proposed service, he will no doubt ere this have given you the information desired. Since his departure a letter has been received from the Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, a copy of which I enclose for your perusal. I have, &c, W. C. Walker, For the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 59. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. (Memorandum.) Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 24th May, 1897. Vancouver Mail-service. I beg to transmit herewith copy of letter and enclosures which I have received from Messrs. J. Huddart and Co., the managers of the Canadian-Australian Royal Mail Steamship Company, giving particulars relating to the mail-service which it is proposed to establish between this country and New Zealand vid Vancouver. W. P. Reeves. To the Hon. the Premier, Wellington.

Enclosure in No. 59. Messrs. James Huddart and Co., London, to the Agent-General. Sir,— 150, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C., 21st May, 1897. In view of the immediate visit to London of Mr. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand, we have the honour to inform you, as managers for the above company, that our board of directors has decided to make Wellington the port of call in New Zealand. The Board has had some perplexity in reaching this decision, and it has been felt that nothing but a test can solve the problem as to which port in New Zealand will bring to the steamship company the largest traffic in mails, passengers, and cargo. It has been arranged that the New Zealand connection shall be inaugurated by the R.M.S. "Aorangi" to leave Sydney on the 19th July, arriving at Wellington on the 23rd, and sailing at noon on the 24th July ; calling at Suva, Honolulu, and Victoria, 8.C., and due to arrive at Vancouver on the 14th August. We enclose copy of proposed time-table, which shows that the " Aorangi" will leave Vancouver for the above ports on the 23rd August, being due at Wellington on the 15th September. You will take note that our sailings from New Zealand are arranged to alternate with the sailings of the Oceanic and Union line to San Francisco, thus affording to the people of Australia and New Zealand a fortnightly service to the Continent of America and to Europe. But, in regard to the return journey from America, we are asking the Messrs. Spreckels to adjust their time-table to ours, so as to alternate in a similar way at the American end. We consider that, as we have alternated with them from Sydney, they should submit to the temporary inconvenience in their sailings from America, so as to sail their steamships alternately therefrom with our Vancouver service. After you have had time to consult with the Premier of New Zealand, we shall be glad to know if it can be arranged for the Oceanic steamers to leave San Francisco on Monday the 9th August, and thenceforth every four weeks, or, if necessary, the change could be delayed until the month of September; but we respectfully submit, in the interests of the Canadian-Australian Steamship Company, that it is important this adjustment should be made at an early date, in order that we may secure a fair share of the New Zealand mails to and from New Zealand, America, and Europe. We were glad to note that the New Zealand Premier had visited Ottawa en route to London, and we shall hope that the preliminary conversations which he may have had with the Canadian Government shall induce them to take immediate steps to do what is practicable to assist our mailservice in its transit across the Continent of Canada. We beg to enclose herewith copy of a letter which we are despatching to the Minister of Trade and Commerce at Ottawa on this subject. We shall be glad if you will afford our senior a very early opportunity of discussing with Mr. Seddon this important subject. We have, &c, The Hon. W. P. Reeves, James Huddart and Co. Agent-General for New Zealand, Victoria Street, Westminster.

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Sub-enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 59. Time-table of the Canadian-Australian Royal Mail Steamship Company (Limited), viâ Wellington. From Sydney.

From Vancouver.

Sub-enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 59. Mr. Huddart to the Minister of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa. 150, Leadenhall, Street, London, E.C., 22nd May, 1897. Sir, — Canadian-Australian Boyal Mail Steamship Company (Limited). Referring to my letters to you of the 23rd September ultimo and of the 24th March instant, I have now the honour to report that it has been decided by our board of directors that the port in New Zealand at which the steamers shall touch in the immediate future shall be Wellington. I enclose herewith copy of the proposed time-table, commencing on the 19th July, on which date it is intended the R.M.S. " Aorangi" shall inaugurate the New Zealand connection by arriving at Wellington on the 23rd, sailing therefrom next day. Thenceforward the sailings will be fourweekly. From Sydney this arrangement means alternate sailings with the steamships of the Oceanic Company to Frisco ; but the port in New Zealand at which that company's steamers touch is Auckland. As to the proposed sailings from Vancouver, you will notice that the first date is the 23rd August, and in looking at the time-table of Spreckels' Oceanic line from San Francisco we note that their sailing is the 19th August. Now, as we have alternated with them from Sydney (thus adjusting our steamships to theirs at that end), we have asked the New South Wales Postmaster to request the Oceanic Company to alternate with us in their sailings from America—that is to say, if they would sail on the 9th August we should have effected a fortnightly service both ways, and this would be a great convenience to the public. It is not too soon to come to some arrangement with the post-offices in England and America and throughout Australasia (especially in New Zealand), in order that our service may secure its full share of mails. I enclose herewith copy of a letter which I have despatched on this question to the AgentGeneral in London for New Zealand, and, as the Premier of New Zealand (Mr. Seddon) will be in London within a week from now, we trust the subject will be seriously dealt with between his office and the Imperial Post Office. We shall be glad if you will be so good as to communicate with your Postmaster-General on this subject, as the Ottawa Post Office has shown from the first the utmost desire to assist us in securing mails from all points.

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Steamer and Voyage. Leave Sydney, Monday. Arrive Wellington, Friday. Leave Wellington, Saturday. Arrive and Arrive and leave Suva, leave HonoThursday. lulu, Friday. Arrive Vancouver, Saturday. ' Aorangi," 2 ' Warrimoo," 24 ' Miowera," 20 ... " Aorangi," 3 ' Warrimoo," 25 July 19 Aug. 16 Sept. 13 Oct. 11 Nov. 8 July 23 Aug. 20 Sept. 17 Oct. 15 Nov. 12 July 24 Aug. 21 Sept. 18 Oct. 16 Nov. 13 July 29 Aug. 26 Sept. 23 Oct. 21 Nov. 18 Aug. 6 Sept. 3 Oct. 1 Oct. 29 Nov. 26 Aug. 14 Sept. 11 Oct. 9 Nov. 6 Dec. 4 1898. ' Miowera," 21 ... Dec. 6 1898. Dec. 10 1898. Dec, 11 1898. Dec. 16 1898. Jan. 13 Dec. 24 1898. Jan. 21 Jan. 1 " Aorangi," 4 Jan. 3 Jan. 7 Jan. 8 Jan. 29

Steamer and Voyage. Leave Vancouver, Monday. Arrive and leave Honolulu, Tuesday. Arrive and leave Suva, Friday. Arrive and leave Wellington, Wednesday. Arrive Sydney, Sunday. " Aorangi," 2 " Warrimoo," 24 " Miowera," 20 " Aorangi," 3 Aug. 23 Sept. 20 Oct. 18 Nov. 15 Aug. 31 Sept. 28 Oct. 26 Nov. 23 Sept. 10 Oct. 8 Nov. 5 Dec. 3 Sept. 15 Oct. 13 Nov. 10 Dec. 8 1898. Sept. 19 Oct. 17 Nov. 14 Dec. 12 1898. " Warrimoo," 25 " Miowera," 21 " Aorangi," 4 " Warrimoo," 26 Dec. 13 1898. Jan. 10 Feb. 7 Mar. 7 Dec. 21 1898. Jan. 18 Feb. 15 Mar. 15 Dec. 31 1898. Jan. 28 Feb. 25 Mar. 25 Jan. 5 Feb. 2 Mar. 2 Mar. 30 Jan. 9 Feb. 6 Mar. 6 April 3

F.—6.

The addition to the line of the R.M.S. " Aorangi" has, of course, greatly increased our expenditure, and we are looking to New Zealand for a substantial subsidy, or its equivalent in poundage, for mails to be carried ; but, in order that the Canadian route shall compare favourably with the San Francisco route, it will be necessary to accelerate the carriage of mails by rail from the Atlantic to the Pacific at the outset; and until Canada has its own fast Atlantic service it would seem to be absolutely necessary that letters from England for New Zealand and Australasia, vid Canada, should be sent via New York, and from that point take the shortest mileage to Vancouver, irrespective of the point at which the mails would first touch Canadian territory. This acceleration of mails across the Continent of America to Vancouver is of vital importance to the Canadian route. Awaiting your reply, I have, &c, The Hon. Sir Richard Cartwright, James Huddart. Minister of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa.

No. 60. The Acting Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Postal and Electric Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Sir,— Sydney, 10th June, 1897. I am directed to intimate that arrangements have been made by the Canadian-Australian Royal Mail Steamship Company under which a third steamer, the s.s. " Aorangi," will be regularly employed, in conjunction with the s.s. " Miowera " and s.s. " Warrimoo," in the steam mailservice between Sydney and Vancouver; and, commencing with the departure of the s.s " Aorangi " from this port on the 19th proximo, the service will be four-weekly instead of monthly. It has been arranged by the contractor, and sanctioned by the Postmaster-General of New South Wales, that for the present, and pending consideration of the question of a subsidy from New Zealand to the line, the steamers will call at Wellington en route. The time-table submitted by the contractor provides for a fortnightly service alternating, as far as is at present practicable, with the San Francisco service. I am to enclose for your information a copy of the table, and to add that so soon as it is printed a supply will be forwarded for the use of your office [see enclosure in No. 61]. I have, &c, J. Dalgarno, Acting Deputy Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, New Zealand.

No 61. The Acting Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, Postal and Electric Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Sir,— Sydney, 15th June, 1897. In fulfilment of the promise made in my communication to you dated the 10th instant, I have the honour to forward herewith a supply of the new time-table of the Canadian-Australian Steamship Company, to come into force on the 19th proximo. I have, &c, J. Dalgarno, Acting Deputy Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 61. Ocean Mail-service viâ Vancouver.—New Time-table of the Canadian-Australian Steamship Line, 1897. Sydney to London.

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Name of Steamer. Leaves Sydney, Monday. Leaves Wellington, Saturday. Leaves Leaves Suva, Honolulu, Thursday, Friday. Leaves Victoria, Friday. Due Vancouver, Saturday. Mails due London, Saturday. 'Aorangi" ' Warrimoo " ' Miowera" ' Aorangi " ' Warrimoo " July 19 Aug. 16 Sept. 13 Oct. 11 Nov. 8 July 24 Aug. 21 Sept. 18 Oct. 16 Nov. 13 July 29 Aug. 6 Aug. 26 Sept. 3 Sept. 23 Oct. 1 Oct. 21 ! Oct. 29 Nov. 18 - Nov. 26 Aug. 13 Sept. 10 Oct. 8 Nov. 5 Dec. 8 Aug. 14 Sept. 11 Oct. 9 Nov. 6 Dec. 4 1898. Aug. 28 Sept. 25 Oct. 23 Nov. 20 Dec. 18 1898. Jan. 15 ' Miowera " Dec. 6 Dec. 11 Dec. 16 Dec. 24 Dec. 31 Jan. 1

F.--6.

London to Sydney.

No. 62. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 9th July, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter of the 10th ultimo, notifying the employment of the " Aorangi" in the Sydney-Vancouver mail-service, and the inclusion of Wellington as a port of call pending a decision on the question of a subsidy from this colony. I note that the service will be four-weekly in the place of monthly, and will alternate with that vid San Francisco, so as to give as far as practicable a fortnightly Pacific service. I have also received the printed copies of the time-table which you were good enough to send with your letter of the 15th ultimo. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. For the Secretary.

No. 63. The Hon. W. C. Walker to the Agent-General. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 15th July, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of the 24th May last, forwarding copy of letter and enclosures addressed to you by Messrs. James Huddart and Co., London, on the subject of the inclusion of this colony in the route of the mail-service between Sydney and Vancouver, and the proposal that the sailing dates from San Francisco be altered so as to give a fortnightly Pacific service both ways. I have, &c, W. C. Walker, The Hon. W. P. Reeves, For the Premier. Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, naAiS ion ; printing (1,445 copies), _14155.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97. Price 9d.]

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Mails leave London, Monday. Name of Steamer. Leaves Vancouver, Monday. Leaves Victoria, Monday. Leaves Honolulu, Tuesday. Leaves Suva, Friday. Leaves Wellington, Wednesday. Due Sydney, Sunday. Aug. 9 Sept. 6 Oct. 4 Nov. 1 " Aorangi " " Warrimoo " " Miowera " " Aorangi" Aug. 23 Sept. 20 Oct. 18 Nov. 15 Aug. 23 Sept. 20 Oct. 18 Nov. 15 Aug. 31 Sept. 28 Oct. 26 Nov. 23 Sept. 10 Oct. 8 Nov. 5 Dec. 3 Sept. 15 Oct. 13 Nov. 10 Dec. 8 1898. Jan. 5 Sept. 19 Oct. 17 Nov. 14 Dec. 12 1898. Jan. 9 Nov. 29 " Warrimoo " Dec. 13 Dec. 13 Dec. 21 Dec. 31