F.—4

48

time (if any) as shall have been appointed for that purpose by the umpire under his hand. 36. The said arbitrator or arbitrators, or their umpire, may call for the production of any documents in the possession or power of either party which they or he may think it necessary for determining the question in dispute, and may examine the parties or their witnesses on oath, and administer the oaths necessary for that purpose. 37. The costs of every such arbitration and of the award shall be in the discretion of the arbitrator, arbitrators, or umpire, who may direct to and by whom and in what manner the same or any part thereof shall be paid. 38. The arbitration shall take place and be conducted at Wellington aforesaid, and the arbitrator or arbitrators, or the umpire, as the case may be, |

I shall deliver his or their award in writing to the Postmaster-General, and the Postmaster-General 1 shall retain the same, and shall forthwith, on demand, at his own expense, furnish a copy thereof to the company, and shall at all times, on demand, produce the said award, and allow the same to be inspected or examined by the company or any person appointed by it for that purpose. 39. This submission to arbitration may be made a rule of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, on the application of the Postmaster-General or the \ company. In witness thereof the said Postmaster-General hath to these presents hereunto set his hand and seal, and the company has hereunto caused its common seal to be affixed, the day and year first above written.

Signed, sealed, and delivered by the withinnamed Joseph George Ward (as PostmasterGeneral of the Colony of New Zealand), in the presence of W. Geay, ' J. Q. WAED. Secretary, Posts and Telegraphs, Wellington. The common seal of the within-named New Zea-\ * land Shipping Company Limited was affixed to the [ before-written instrument, in the presence of LLOiN AKD HAKI JiK, Director. Isaac Gibbs, Secretary.; f 'i

No. 99. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Genebal, London. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 20th May, 1891. Referring to your letter of the 6th December, with regard to the dates on which the present San Francisco and Direct mail-service renewed contracts commenced, I have now the honour to confirm the date furnished by you to the London Post Office respecting the Direct service. I shall be obliged, however, if you will note and inform the Post Office that the mail which left London on the Ist November last, and not the 27th December, was the first outward despatch by the San Francisco service. A difference of opinion between the Post Office and the Union Steamship Company as to the date on which the renewed San Francisco contract actually commenced, which has only just been settled, explains why your letter was not acknowledged earlier. I have, &c, Sir F. D. Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8.. J. Ballange. Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

CHANGE OF SAILING-DAYS.

No. 100. Mr. Ckeighton to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) San Francisco, 9th December, 1890. Authorise sailing Thursdays. " Umbria" brings mail, 1891.

No. 101. The Hon. the Peemieb to the Agent-Genebal, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th December, 1890. Contkaotoes propose leave Frisco Thursday as mails conveyed " Umbria " ninety-one. Is latter correct ?