F.—6

As to how far the Imperial Government might be prepared to contribute to the subsidy, you will no doubt be able to ascertain; but, however that may be, there can be no doubt that if the mail-steamers ran on to New Zealand that country would thereby receive a great and beneficial impetus. I am, &c, J. G. S. Andeeson. Walter Kennaway, Esq., C.M.G., 13, Victoria Street, S.W.

No. 95. The Acting Undeb-Seceetaey and Supeeintendent of Telegeaphs, Brisbane, to the Secbetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. Sib, — Post and Telegraph Department, Brisbane, 6th October, 1899. Eeferring to the contract between this colony and Messrs Burns, Philp, and Co. (Limited), Sydney, for the conveyance of mails by the steamers of the Canadian' Australian line, which came into operation with the vessel despatched from Brisbane to Vancouver on the 27th April, 1899, I have the honour to request you to be good enough to furnish me with statements of mail-matter received and despatched by this service (giving origin or destination as the case may be, weight, &a.) so far as your colony is concerned, from the date of commencement, and to continue doing so in future. I have, &c, Geoege H. Buzacott. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 96. The Sbceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Ottawa. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 10th October, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th August last, in reference to the carriage across the American Continent of mails exchanged between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and informing me that the arranging of a more expeditious route than that by way of Moose Jaw and Chicago had rendered it desirable-to forward New Zealand mails from Vancouver to Montreal for despatch by the first fast Atlantic steamer. I have to thank you for the action taken by your department in the matter, ano , to ask upon what date the new route was adopted for the conveyance of colonial mails. I note that you intended to write to the London Post Office about the route of our mails westward, but, as New Zealand is no longer a party to the Vancouver mail-service contract, there is not likely to be much correspondence for this colony from London by way of Canada. In the direction from New Zealand to London, use is made of the service as opportunity offers. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Canada. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 97. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Acting Undee-Secebtaey and Supeeintendent of Telegbaphs, Brisbane. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 23rd October, 1899. Eeferring to your letter of the 6th instant, asking to be furnished with statements of mail-matter received and despatched by the Vancouver mail-service, 1 have the honour to inform you that an arrangement has already been entered into with the Sydney Post Office to pay New South Wales for the conveyance of our mails by the Vancouver steamers. Under this arrangement, statements are rendered to Sydney half-yearly, giving the particulars of mails despatched from New Zealand for transmission. I would therefore refer you to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, for the information you require. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Acting Under-Secretary and Superintendent of Telegraphs, Brisbane.

No. 98. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Geneeal Manages for the Colonies, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 25th October, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th August last, in which you take exception to certain remarks in the department's last annual report in reference to the discontinuance of the Vancouver mail-service. Eeferring particularly to the fourth paragraph of your letter, I wish to remind you that, in replying to your suggestion that I should telegraph the Postmaster-General, I pointed out that the matter discussed by you would come better from yourself, and that you should communicate with the Minister direct. You, however, were not prepared to do this, and on the conclusion of the interview intimated that you would cable to London to ascertain definitely the intentions of your

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