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No. 67. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Ottawa. Sic, — General Post Office, Wellington, Ist December, 1903. It is observed by this Department from the columns of the newspapers that a contract has been entered into between the Dominion of Canada and the Maritime Transport Company for a mail-service between Canadian ports and France. I shall be obliged if you will favour this Department with a copy of the contract. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa. W. Geay, Secretary,

No. 68. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th December, 1903. Have been advised that " Moura's " trip to Fiji 30ch instant cancelled, and " Rotokino " substituted. Latter vessel does not leave until sth proximo. This precludes our connecting with Vancouver mail leaving Brisbane 31st, and probably will give rise to adverse comment by business firms. Regularity in Fiji running essential. In any case, this office should be advised of any material change such as now mentioned.

No. 69. The Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. . (Telegram.) Dunedin, 25th December, 1903. Regeet you were not advised promptly regarding altered sailing-dates steamers for Fiji. Am inquiring regarding this omission. The substitution of "Rotokino" for " Moura " has been necessitated by advices from Fiji that, as fruit for New Zealand has unexpectedly increased, latter cannot carry all offering, and, as we have nothing else available, have to utilise " Rotokino." While regretting that latter will not connect with outgoing Vancouver steamer at Fiji, delay in departure from Auckland is unavoidable, as she only gees back from Tahiti and Rarotonga on second January. The " Taviuni," which is our regular Fiji steamer, is at present laid up undergoing extensive overhaul, and cannot be substituted for " Moura."

No. 70. The Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Ottawa, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sib, — Post Office Department, Canada, Ottawa, sth February, 1904. With reference to your communication of the Ist December last, requesting a copy of the contract for the steamship subvention between Canada and France, I beg to say that as the contract in question has not yet been submitted to the House of Commons, the Department is not in a position to furnish you with a copy of.it for the moment, but as soon as that technical difficulty is removed, no time will be lost in complying as far as possible with your request. I have, &c, W. Smith, Acting Deputy-Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 71. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmasteb-Geneeal, Brisbane. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist March, 1904. Undeb what conditions do non-contracting Commonwealth States make use of Vancouver service, including payment for transit of mails ? What annual subsidy paid by your State to contractors ?

No. 72. The Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 11th March, 1904. Youe cable Brisbane re Vancouver service : Annual subsidy, Queensland ten thousand two hundred and twenty-seven pounds five and sixpence. All non-contracting States pay twelve shillings per pound for letters, one shilling per pound for newspapers

No. 73. The Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 15th March, 1904. Youb cable to-day [not printed] re Vancouver service: Mine of eleventh should have stated one shilling per pound for books, sixpence per pound for newspapers. Error made in quoting.

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