F.—6.

Zealand mail-services. I am sorry I cannot supply you with any documents referring to this matter, but I may mention that the money was duly voted, and that we have received from the Oceanic Company two instalments of our share. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.

No. 41. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Dnion Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 16th June, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, in reply to mine of the 28th ultimo, informing me that you were not able to supply copies of any documents referring to the increase by the United States Congress of the subsidy for the San Francisco mail-service, but that the money was duly voted, and that two instalments of your company's share had been received from the Oceanic Steam Ship Company. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, The Managing Director, For the Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

CANADIAN-PACIFIC MAIL-SEEVICE. No. 42. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Telegram.) 29th June, 1896. Huddart anxious re Vancouver service scheme. His agent arrives Wellington Thursday.

No. 43. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Telegram.) 30th September, 1896. Huddart anxious to know what is being done about Vancouver service. Is now ready to commence running as soon as New Zealand Government is ready to conclude contract.

No. 44. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Premier's Office, Wellington, 11th October, 1896. Vancouver service : Nothing done, and not likely to be. General feeling in favour of holding over until expiry of present San Francisco contract.

No. 45. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Memorandum.) 16th October, 1896. Vancouver Mail-service. Referring to the cablegrams, copies of which I herewith enclose [see Nos. 42, 43, 44], I beg to transmit copy of letter from Mr. James Huddart relative to the present position of the proposal to establish a mail-service to New Zealand vid Vancouver. W. P. Reeves. Hon. the Premier.

Enclosure 1 in No. 45. Mr. Huddart to the Agent-General. Sir,— 22, Billiter Street, London, E.C., 13th October, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Kennaway's letter [see enclosure in No. 53], informing me that you have received a cablegram stating that nothing is likely to be done respecting the Vancouver mail-service, the general feeling in the New Zealand Parliament being in favour of holding the question over until the expiry of the present San Francisco mailservice contract. Thus, we are not informed as to whether your Government has submitted to the New Zealand Parliament the contract which was signed, sealed, and delivered in your office, in the presence of your predecessor, by Mr. Ward (the former Treasurer and Postmaster-General of New Zealand) and by myself, on the 19th of April, 1895. [See F.-9, 1895.]

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