F.—6.

No. 10. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 21st November, 1896. Quite satisfied "Zealandia" will fulfil contract requirements, and prove acceptable to passengers. She has been in employment for over a year past, and is in good order. Passengers are not numerous from San Francisco in January or from the colony early February. Hope you will approve substitution.

No. 11. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) General Post Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1896. Postmaster-General has approved of substitution of " Zealandia " for " Mariposa " for one round voyage, leaving San Francisco 7th January next. You will, of course, see that the necessary sorting-accommodation and conveniences for Mail Agent are provided. Mail Agent has been instructed to see that this is done before the steamer leaves San Francisco.

No. 12. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1896. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 12th instant, asking the approval of the Postmaster-General to the substitution of the "Zealandia" for the R.M.S. " Mariposa " for one voyage, to allow the latter to undergo repairs on her return to San Francisco, and to your telegram of the 21st idem, in reply to mine of the same date, conveying your assurance that the " Zealandia" would fulfil contract requirements, and prove acceptable to passengers. In reply, I have to inform you that, under the circumstances set out above, the PostmasterGeneral agrees to the "Zealandia" replacing the "Mariposa" for one voyage each way, commencing from San Francisco on the 7th January next. It is assumed that complete mailaccommodation, sorting-room, &c, will be provided. I have, &c, The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company W. Gray, Secretary, of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 13. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th ultimo, enclosing copy of an advice from the J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company that the steamer " Zealandia " would be substituted for the R.M.S. " Mariposa " for the voyage commencing at San Francisco on the 7th January next, while the latter steamer is undergoing repairs; also, copy of your reply thereto. The Union Steam Ship Company, as contractors for the San Francisco service, have made application for the approval of the Postmaster-General to the substitution of the " Zealandia," and after an assurance from the company that the vessel would fulfil contract requirements and prove acceptable to passengers, the desired permission has been granted. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., W. Gray, Secretary. Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.

No. 14. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1896. I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that the Postmaster-General has agreed to the contractors for the San Francisco mail-service substituting the steamer " Zealandia" for the E.M.S. " Mariposa " for one voyage each way, commencing from San Francisco on the 7th January next, to allow the latter vessel to undergo repairs. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. W. Gray, Secretary.

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