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the " City of Melbourne" and " Mikado" being referred for arbitration, in the manner proposed in your letter above quoted. I have, &c, The Manager, Australasian Steam Navigation S. H. Lambton, Company, Sydney. Secretary.

No. 99. Mr. Gray to the Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 20th April, 1876. I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth ultimo, enclosing a statement showing amount claimed by the Australasian Steam Navigation Company for demurrage for the detention at San Francisco of the "City of Melbourne" and "Mikado" for a longer period than twelve days. I have also to acknowledge the receipt of copies of correspondence on the subject referred to above. I have, &c, W. Gray, The Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. Secretary.

No. 100. Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co. to the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir,— Sydney, Bth March, 1876. We have the honor to inform you that we yesterday received from Mr. A. P. Bacon, the General Agent of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, San Francisco, a letter dated 4th February, 1876, to the following effect:— " Appointment of Agents. " The underwritten telegram from the Home office of this Company came to our hands at 4.26 o'clock this p.m.:— " ' New York, 4th February, 1876. " 'To A. P. Bacon, General Agent Pacific Mail S.S. Co., San Francisco. " ' Write letter to Gilchrist and Company telling them they are appointed Managers of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company in Australia and New Zealand, and not for Sydney alone. Tell them power of attorney will be sent by next steamer. "< J. B. Houston, " ' Second Vice-President.' " This appointment has been confirmed to us direct by telegrams from the Pacific Mail Steamship Company in London; and Mr. Hall having been recalled, it is his intention to proceed to America by the mail steamer leaving this on the lOtb instant. We are also invested with full powers from the owners of the " Zealandia " and the " Australia," which are chartered by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. We have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co.

No. 101. Mr. Gray to Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 25th March, 1876. I have been directed to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the Bth instant, apprising the Postmaster-General of this colony that you had been appointed Managers for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company in Australia and New Zealand, in the room of Mr. H. H. Hall recalled. I have, &c., W. Gray, Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Secretary. Managers Pacific Mail Steamship Company, Sydney.

No. 102. Mr. Lambton to Mr. Gray. Sir,— Sydney, 16th March, 1876. I am directed to enclose herewith, for the information of the Postmaster-General of ;n New Zealand, copy of a communication which has been received from Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., of this city, notifying their appointment as agents, to the Pacific Mail Steamship

Vide Enclosure i No. 100.