2

F.—6

SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.

CONTRACT WITH THE OCEANIC COMPANY, ETC.

No. 1. Messrs. Hendbeson and Macpablane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, "Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), - _ Auckland, 24th June, 1903. ' We have the honour to refer to your letter of the 12th December, 1902 [No. 63, F.-6 1903], which enclosed copy of a letter from the Deputy Postmaster-General, Melbourne, stating that he sum of £1,641 16s! 3d. has been credited your Department on account of the conveyance, of Victorian mail-matter by the San Francisco mail-service for the year ended .he 30th June, 1902. Our San Francisco office, referring to the above amount, request us to advise them whether it includes payment for Fijian correspondence; and, if not, when a settlement may be expected. Tour letter of the 17th September, dealing with the same matter, advised us that your Department proposed to make annual payment of the amount due to us for the conveyance of Fijian Correspondence, and we take it your statement of the sth instant [not printed] covers payment of all moneys due to our company for the carriage of Fijian mails up till December, 1902. We are also asked to advise our San Francisco friends whether our steamers receive any compensation for the conveyance of mails from Auckland to Sydney; and, if so, to state how settlement is made, and the rate paid, as they do not appear to have received any statement ci her from Auckland or from the Sydney agents. Would you kindly advise us on this latter point? Thanking you in anticipation, We have, &c, s ' F Hendeesoh and Macpablane, General Agents for New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 2. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney. (Telegram) Wellington, Bth July, 1903. Kindly wire amount earned by Spreckels from New South Wales for conveyance Frisco mails last available twelve months.

No. 3. The Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram ) S y dne y> Bth Jul y> 1903 - We paid Burns, Philp, agents for Spreckels, for sea transit Frisco line last year, New South Wales mails, £446 12s. 9d.; for mails originating other States, £386 6s. l£d.

No. 4. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. (Telegram ) Wellington, Bth July, 1903. Reply to your letter of 24th ultimo: (1.) The. £1,641165. 3d relates to Victorian mails only. (2 ) Yes • the statement covers payment for Fiji mails from Ist July, 1901, to 31st December, 1902 Statements hereafter will be rendered for each complete year. (3.) Payment does not appear to have been made for conveyance of mails from Auckland to Sydney. This is now receiving attention. ————

No. 5. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen — General Post Office, Wellington, Ist August, 1903. Referring to your letter of the 24th June last, and to my telegram of the Bth ultimo, m reolv I have now°the honour to inform you that the gratuities due for carriage of mails from Auckland to Sydney by the San Francisco steamers from the 21st November, 1900, to the 13th July, 1903, amount to £205 9s. 6d„ for which sum a voucher has been prepared and passed for payment. Future payments will be made in the ordinary course. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Gbay, Secretary.