F.—6a

16

Enclosure in No. 70. Statement showing the Amount due to the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), at Postal Union Rates, for the Conveyance from Vancouver to Fiji, by the s.s. " Moana," of American and United Kingdom Mails addressed to New Zealand, which were diverted from the San Francisco Route in consequence of the Earthquake of the 18th April, 1906.

United Kingdom (Actual Weights).

General Post Office, Wellington, 29th May, 1906. Thomas Rose, Acting-Secretary.

No. 7i. The Hon. the Acting Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 31st May, 1906. I have the honour to enclose herewith, for your information, copy of a letter I am forwarding to the Postmaster-General, Ottawa, on the subject of the diversion of the New Zealand mails from San Francisco to Vancouver, for conveyance to New Zealand hj the R.M.S. "Moana," in consequence of the earthquake at San Francisco on the 18th ultimo. So far as I understand the matter, the Canadian Post Office would in the ordinary course receive the amount due as Postal Union rates for the conveyance of the United Kingdom and the American mails to New Zealand. Under the circumstances, however, I think you will agree that the special amount should be handed over to the Union Steam Ship Company, and I shall be obliged if you can see your way to favourably recommend this course to the Postmaster-General, Ottawa. I have, &c, Albert Pitt, Acting Postmaster-General. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Copy of this also sent to the Secretary, General Post Office, London, and the PostmasterGeneral, Washington, D.C.

No. 72. The Hon. the Acting Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company (Limited), Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 31st May, 1906. Referring to the letter of the 30th ultimo from this office with regard to the diversion of the mails from San Francisco to Vancouver, for conveyance to New Zealand by the R.M.S. " Moana," in consequence of the earthquake at San Francisco on the 18th April, I have the honour to enclose herewith copy of a letter I am forwarding to the Postmaster-General, Ottawa. I have at the same time written to the Postmasters-General at London, Washington, and Melbourne asking that they would make a similar representation to the Canadian Post Office. Immediately on receipt of replies I shall advise you further. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, . For Acting Postmaster-General. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin,

Description of Mail-matter. Weight. Rate per Pound. Amount. letters •ther articles Lb. oz. 1,849 10 26,035 14 d. 23-63 1-77 £ 182 192 s. d. 2 3 0 3 Total 374 2 6 American (Estimated Weights). letters •ther articles 598 13,444 0 0 35-42 354 88 198 5 6 1 0 Total 286 11 1 Amount due to company 660 13 7