F.—6.

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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