F.—6.

session. In view of this, the Postmaster-General is desirous of obtaining from you such information as you are able to furnish in connection with the transport of the mails between Vancouver and Great Britain. Information on the following points would be particularly acceptable :— What rates would be charged for the territorial transit of our mails ? Would the mails to and from Great Britain continue to be forwarded to New York until the fast Atlantic service is established ? If so, would the Canadian Post Office make provision for the conveyance by the swiftest steamers? As a portion of the overland carriage would be over United States territory, would this result in any increase in the transit rates, or require special agreement with the Washington Post Office ? How are the mails dealt with after arrival at Vancouver ? At what point are the mails from the colonies placed on the trains for the east, and at what point transferred to the trains for New York ? Who has charge of the mails during the railway transit—a postal officer or a railway official? Particulars of the railway-running and distances, as well as the time the through journeys take, and any other particulars connected with the railway mail-service would be of interest. In connection with the territorial transit charges, I attach for your information copies of cable messages exchanged between the Premier of Canada and the late Postmaster-General in July, 1895 [see Nos. 52 and 53, F.-6, 1895]. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Canada. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 52. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Canada. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 18th February, 1897. Referring to my letter of to-day's date, desiring to be furnished with information in respect of the transport of mails between Vancouver and Great Britain, I should be glad if you would also forward me a copy of the conditions and specifications under which tenders were invited for the fast Atlantic mail-service. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Canada. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 53. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (Memorandum.) Ist February, 1897. Vancouver Mail-service. Referring to memorandum of the 24th December last, transmitting copy of cablegram of the 12th of that month, I beg to enclose herewith copy of letter, which, in accordance with the instructions contained in the cablegram, I caused to be addressed to Mr. James Huddart. Hon. the Premier. W. P. Reeves.

Enclosure in No. 53. The Secretary to the Agent-General to Mr. Huddart. Sir,— 13, Victoria Street, S.W., 12th December, 1896. I am directed by the Agent-General to inform you that his Government, having had before them your letter to him of the 13th October last, respecting the proposed Vancouver mail-service, have instructed him to state, in reference thereto, that the provisional agreement was submitted to the New Zealand House of Representatives in the session of 1895, though it was not then persevered with, and that it was not deemed advisable to bring it forward again during the session of this year, but that the Government intend submitting it to the House of Representatives which has lately been elected, conjointly with the renewal of the San Francisco mail-service. I am further directed by the Agent-General to state that his Government have instructed him to warn you very explicitly against commencing the service as proposed, in the expectation, on your part, of your receiving a subsidy, as without proper authority his Government will not allow the colony to be committed in any way in respect to the arrangement of its mail-services. I am, &c, Walter Kennaway, James Huddart, Esq., 22, Billiter Street, E.C. Secretary to the Department.

No. 54. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Memorandum.) Premier's Office, Wellington, Ist April, 1897. Vancouver Mail-service. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of the Ist February, forwarding copy of a letter sent by you to Mr. James Huddart in connection with the above service. The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. R. J. Seddon,

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