P.—3b

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London and Noumea, respectively, with reference to the mode of accounting for the charges which will become due to this colony and New Zealand under the arrangement in question. I am, &c., S. H. Lambton, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Secretary.

Enclosure 1 in No. 8. Mr. Lambton to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, London. Sib, — General Post Office, Sydney, 25th August, 1875. With reference to previous correspondence respecting the transit of closed mails to and from New Caledonia by the San Francisco route, I am directed to inform you that, pending a decision as to whether a subsidy should be sought from the French Government for the conveyance of such mails, the Postmasters-General of this colony and New Zealand have agreed that the mails for and from New Caledonia should be forwarded between Sydney and San Francisco on the same terms as those of the neighbouring colonies, viz.:— Letters ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Is. 7d. per oz. Packets ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Is. 6d. „ lb. Newspapers ... ... ... ... ... ... Os. 6d. „ lb. In order to simplify the matter, it is proposed that the postal authorities of Now Caledonia shall account for and pay direct to this office the above charges on the gross weight of all Noumea correspondence conveyed in either direction between Sydney and San Francisco, leaving any charges made in America, England, France, or elsewhere to be a matter of arrangement between the French Post Office and the other post offices concerned. I have, &c. S. H. Lambton, The Secretary, General Post Office, London. Secretary.

Enclosure 2 in No. 8. Mr. Lambton to the Postmastee-Genebal, Noumea. Sie, — General Post Office, Sydney, 25th August, 1875. Adverting to previous correspondence on the subject of the transit of closed mails to and from New Caledonia by the San Francisco route, I am directed to inform you that, pending a decision as to whether a subsidy should be sought from the French Government for the conveyance of such mails, the Postmasters-General of this colony and New Zealand, as jointly interested in the San Francisco Service, have agreed that all mails for and from New Caledonia may be forwarded by such service on the same terms as those of the neighbouring colonies, viz.: — Letters ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Is. 7d. per oz. Packets ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Is. 6d. „ lb. Newspapers ... ... ... ... ... ... Os. 6d. „ lb. In order to simplify the matter, it is requested that your office will account for and nay direct to this department the above charges on the gross weight of all Noumea correspondence conveyed in either direction between Sydney and San Francisco, leaving any charges made in America, England, France, or elsewhere to be a matter of arrangement between the French Post Office and the other post offices concerned. I am to add that statements of the weight of all mails transmitted from and to you by the San Francisco route should be forwarded here as formerly provided. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Noumea. Secretary.

No. 9. Mr. Ghat to the Secbetaby, General Post Office, Sydney. Sib,— General Post Office, "Wellington, 16th September, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo, forwarding copies of further correspondence addressed by your department to the Imperial Post Office authorities and the Postmaster-General of New Caledonia, with reference to the mode of accounting for the charges which •will become due to the colonies of New South Wales and New Zealand under the arrangement for the transit of closed mails between Prance and New Caledonia by the San Francisco Mail Service. I have, &c, W. Geat, The Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. Secretary. By Authority: Giohgb Didsbcry, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7s. [Price Is.]