F.—6.

Enclosure 2 in No. 6. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the J. D. Spreckhls and Brothers Company, San Francisco. Gentlemen, — San Francisco, 10th October, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 9th instant informing me that it is your intention to substitute the s.s. " Zealandia" for the R.M.S.S. "Mariposa" for the conveyance of the colonial mails under existing contract with the New Zealand Government, the substitution to be made on the appointed date of departure in January, 1897. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent. The J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, Agents for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), San Francisco.

No. 7. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 10th November, 1896. I have the honour to inform you that intimation has been received from the J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, through the Resident Agent for New Zealand at San Francisco, that the steamer "Zealandia" will be substituted for the RM.S. "Mariposa" on the voyage leaving San Francisco on the 7th January, 1897. I have to point out that, as contractors for the San Francisco mail-service, the application for the necessary permission to replace the "Mariposa" should be made by your company, and an assurance should also at the same time be given the Postmaster-General that the vessel proposed to be used is in every way equal to the requirements of the service. I have, &c, The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company W. Gray, Secretary, of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 8. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 12th November, 1896. I have the honour to advise you that we are in receipt of advice from the Oceanic Steamship Company that on her return to San Francisco from her present trip it is necessary that the " Mariposa " should be laid up for repairs, and, as these cannot be finished in time for her to sail again on her fixed date, the Oceanic Company propose to replace for one trip their s.s. " Zealandia." They advise us that the latter steamer is in first-class condition, and I presume that the Postmaster-General will give his approval to the substitution. I have, &c, W. Gray, Esq., T. W. Whitson, Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.

No. 9. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) General Post Office, Wellington, 21st November, 1896. I trust you are thoroughly satisfied that the "Zealandia" will in everyway be an acceptable substitute for the "Mariposa." I would like to have your assurance on this point before having the matter finally dealt with by Postmaster-General. It would be most unfortunate at the present juncture should the substitution of the " Zealandia" prove to be a mistake, and unpopular with travellers. If you have the least doubt in the matter, I would urge you to consider whether or not the proposed overhaul of the "Mariposa" should not be deferred until your new steamer is placed on the line. Kindly reply on Monday.

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