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Mr. Samuel desires me to express his regret that the efforts of the Government to make a contract with the Australasian Steam Navigation Company for an extension of the temporary service have proved unsuccessful. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, The Manager A.S.N. Co., Sydney. Secretary.

Enclosure 7 in No. 83. The Manageb, A.S.N. Co., to the Seceetaet, General Post Office, Sydney. Australasian Steam Navigation Company, Sydney, Sic, — 20th November, 1874. I have had the honor to receive your letter of this date, and am directed to express the regret felt by my Board, that the offer made by this company to continue for a further period the temporary mail service to San Francisco now performed by the Company, cannot bo accepted by the Hon. the Postmaster- General. I have, &c, Feed. H. Teoitton, The Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. Manager.

Enclosure 8 in No. 83. The Seceetaiiy, A.S.N. Co., to the Seceetaet, General Post Office, Sydney. Australasian Steam Navigation Company, Sydney, Sic,— 20th November, 1874. I have had the honor to receive your letter of yesterday's date, enclosing instructions for the commander of the "Mikado" in respect to the mails to be conveyed by that vessel, to which his adherence will be requested. Should it be necessary to delay the " Mikado " at San Francisco for the mails beyond the stipulated time of twelve days, I beg leave to say that it is to be understood the Company are to receive from the Government a proportionate increase over the subsidy money, £4,000 per trip, which would be equivalent to £111 2s. 3d. for every day or part of a day which she maybe detained in excess of the agreed twelve days. I have, &c, Feed. Piiillips. The Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. Secretary.

Enclosure 9 in No. 83. Mr. Lambton to the Manager, A.S.N. Co. Sic, — General Post Office, Sydney, 20th November, 1874. I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, in reply to mine of yesterday's, which conveyed to you instructions for the commander of the "Mikado" in respect of the mails to be received and delivered by him, and stating the understanding that the Company are to receive a proportionate increase over the subsidy money, £4,000 per trip, in the event of it being necessary to delay the vessel at San Francisco, in order to obtain the mails, beyond the stipulated time of twelve days. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, The Manager, A.S.N. Co., Sydney. Secretary.

Enclosure 10 in No. 83. Mr. Lambton to Messrs. Gilcheist, Watt, and Co., Sydney. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Sydney, 21st November, 1874. Eef'erring to your letter dated the 18th instant, intimating that Messrs, D. E. Macgregor and Co. have instructed you on their behalf to offer to contract to perform the temporary mail service (commencing on January next) between this port and San Francisco, via Auckland, with the steamships "Macgregor," "Mikado," and "Cyphrenes;" and that so soon as the Government are ready to enter into a contract for the purpose, you will be prepared to arrange therefor, on behalf of Messrs. D. 11. Macgregor and Co.; and referring also to the conversations on the subject the PostmasterGeneral has had with your Mr. Watt, I am directed to state that Mr. Samuel will be glad if you will submit in writing your offer to carry on the service in question. I have, &c, Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Sydney. S. H. Lambton.