H.—27.

The Agent-General will therefore be glad if you will at once inform him whether you are prepared to comply with the requirements of his Government as stated in the advertisement, and as regards the time within which the service must be commenced with properly fitted insulated steamers. I am, &c, H. C. Sleigh, Esq. Walteb Kennaway.

No. 9.

Mr. H. C. Sleigh to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib,— 28, Gracechurch Street, E.C., 12th March, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of yesterday's date. I shall be glad 'if you will please cable your Government that I am now in a position to berth the first insulated steamer within four weeks from date. After hearing from you that the contract is ready for signature, I shall then name the steamers which will inaugurate the service. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Haeold C. Sleigh. It is understood that these steamers comply with the conditions of the advertisement calling for tenders for the service, and that they are to be approved of by the Government of New Zealand upon acceptance of my offer.—H. C. Sleigh.

No. 10.

The Agent-Gbneeal to Mr. H. C. Sleigh. Sib,— 13, Victoria Street, S.W., 17th April, 1902. I am directed by the Agent-General to inform you that he has received instructions from his Government to accept your tender for establishing and maintaining a direct steam service between South Africa and New Zealand, subject to the following terms and conditions, namely : — 1. You are to make a cash deposit, to be paid to the Agent-General within seven days from this date, of three thousand pounds (£3,000), such deposit to be refunded on the signing of the contract and of the bond of security specified hereinafter. 2. You are to give satisfactory security to the extent of twenty thousand pounds (£20,000) for the due and proper performance of the contract, such security to continue to exist during the currency of the contract. 3. With regard to the provision contained in your letter of 11th February as to the steamers calling at Australian ports to fill up, such provision to be limited to one port in Western Australia. 4. In all other respects the provisions of the contract to be generally as specified or implied in the advertisement which appeared in the Times of 28th January last, and in your letter of the 11th February, subject, nevertheless, to the modifications contained in your subsequent letters of 6th and 12th March last. 5. The deed of contract and security bond to be prepared by the New Zealand Government solicitors, and to be executed immediately on completion. I am, &c, H. C. Sleigh, Esq. Waltee Kbnnaway.

No. 11. Mr. H. C. Sleigh to the Agent-Genebal. Care of Messrs. Wincott, Cooper, and Co., 10 and 11, Lime Street, E.C., Sib,— 24th April, 1902. Eeferring to your letter of 17th instant, in reference to the establishment of a direct steam service between South Africa and New Zealand, I beg to enclose you herewith cheque for £3,000. I make this payment upon the conditions stated in your letter, subject to one qualification— I cannot accept a provision limiting the right of the steamers to call at one Australian port only to fill up. It is necessary that we should have the right to call at three Australian ports, but only for that purpose. I understand that if, for any reason other than my own default, the contract and security bond are not executed in a form prepared by the Government solicitors and approved by mine, embodying the terms agreed upon between us, the £3,000 will be returned to me. Please confirm this arrangement in accepting the deposit, and if you are unable to accept it the cheque must be returned. Yours, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Haeold C. Sleigh.

No. 12. The Agent-Geneeal to Mr. H. C. Sleigh. Sib,— 25th April, 1902. I am directed by the Agent-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 24th instant, enclosing cheque for £3,000, and in reference thereto to inform you that he will at

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