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No. 25. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 20th March, 1905. Sum payable by New Zealand for European mails via Australia cannot yet be definitely stated. If no Australian territorial transit involved, claim only be made against New Zealand for sea and territorial transit at rates paid by Commonwealth.

No. 26. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General's Department, Sir,— Melbourne, 13th April, 1905. With reference to previous correspondence respecting the carriage of mails between the Commonwealth and the United Kingdom, I have the honour to inform you arrangements have been made with the Orient-Pacific line of steamers for a fortnightly service, commencing at Adelaide to-day and Naples on the 16th instant. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Robt. T. Scott, Secretary.

No. 27. The Hon. the Postmaster-General of New Zealand, at Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 29th April, 1905. Federal Postmaster-General publicly states before contract with Orient Company rate charged New Zealand was two shillings poundage-rate paid by the Federation States ; New Zealand might have paid larger amount under old contract system. Further states that New Zealand would be entitled to have her mails carried at Postal Union rates, which would be three shillings and sevenpence per pound. Cable me position fully. Leaving " Warrimoo " five to-day.

No. 28. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, 1o the Hon. the Postmaster-General of New Zealand, at Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th April, 1905. Under last Orient contract we paid twelve shillings per pound letters. During the break between last contract and new Orient one we were informed, in reply to inquiries, that the rate would be two shillings. We may now have the use of the new contract service for Postal Union rates as stated.

No. 29. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 11th May, 1905. How are parcels by P. and O. and Orient steamers dealt with? Your quarterly statements only show letters 12s. per pound, books Is. 6d., newspapers 6d. Are parcels included with newspapers, cards with letters, packets with books? Do you pay for West Australian mails by these steamers? If so, to whom?

No. 30. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th May, 1905. London paid direct for Indian Ceylon parcels P. and O. No others sent. Packets included with books, cards with letters. We pay Adelaide Melbourne Commonwealth gratuity rates mails Western Australia. ■■ ■ •

No. 31. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 12th May, 1905. I shall be obliged if you will supply me, as soon as copies are at disposal, with two prints of the contract for the carriage of mails from Australia by the Orient-Pacific line of steamers. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Secretary, Pastmaster-GeneraFs Department, Melbourne.

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