15

F.-6

VANCOUVEE SERVICE.

No. 57. The Geneeal Managee, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sic,— Dunedin, 23rd June, 1903. In re Vancouver mail-service: Kindly note that we have arranged with the contracting Governments that the " Miowera," being required for a general overhaul on her return from Vancouver, will be withdrawn from the service for one round voyage. Consequently there will be no sailing from Sydney in September or from Vancouver in October. Yours, &c, R. McK. McLennan, for General Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [Acknowledged on 29th June.]

No. 58. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Geneeal Managee, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd July, 1903. Is renewal Vancouver service for two years ? If so, when does service expire ? Please reply without delay.

No. 59. The Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 2nd July, 1903. Contbact made with Commonwealth Government, subject ratification by Parliament, is for two years, expiring end April, 1905.

No. 60. The Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General's Department, Sic,— Melbourne, Bth July, 1903. With reference to the request made in your communication of the 26th ultimo [not printed], addressed to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Melbourne, that you be furnished with two copies of any contract that has been entered into for a renewal of the Vancouver mail-service, I have the honour to inform you that a formal contract has not yet been signed in connection with the matter, but the necessary approval has been obtained for a two-years extension, from Ist May, 1903, of the arrangements for the conveyance of mails between Sydney and Vancouver (under which the three steamers engaged in the service call at Brisbane and Fiji), and the payment of an increased subsidy by the contracting countries—Australia, Canada, and Fiji—on condition that one of the steamers referred to (trie " Miowera") be satisfactorily repaired and improved in order to make her equal to the " Moana " and the " Aorangi." I have, &c, Robt. T. Scott, Secretary. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 61. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 17th July, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of, and to thank you for, your letter of the Bth instant, intimating that approval had been obtained for a two-years extension of the period of the contract for the conveyance of mails between Sydney and Vancouver at an advanced subsidy, and on condition that the R M.S. " Miowera " be improved to make her equal to the other vessels employed in the service. On the formal contract for the extension of the service being signed, I shall be glad to receive two copies thereof at your convenience. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne,