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No. 22. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post , • Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 6th October, 1908. Thanks for your telegram. Glad if you would advise Sir Joseph Ward that, although £600 a trip seems substantial, the passenger and freight earnings are so problematical that the risk of a contract for twelve months is very great, but do not think the possibilities of the route can be thoroughly tested in less time, for reasons already given. We are anxious to prove the scheme, and would be willing to proceed provided he could see his way to grant half poundage in addition, or an inclusive sum of £7,500. [P.O. 08/8861.]

No. 23. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th October, 1908. Wellington-Tahiti service : Am directed to offer seven thousand (£7,000) pounds for twelve months —that is, seven hundred pounds for each round trip —the understanding being that no poundages payable by New Zealand on our mails between Wellington and San Francisco. Please advise if these terms accepted, and let me have time-table as early as possible, as it will be necessary to advise London and Washington.

[P.O. 08/38(i1.| _^^^^_^__^_^_^^_ No. 24. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 15th October, 1908. We accept offer seven thousand pounds ten trips Wellington-Rarotonga-Tahiti, calling Rarotonga on return voyage ; this subsidy to cover carriage of New Zealand mails only Wellington to San Francisco, we to retain poundage accruing on American and other mails. Service to commence third January from Wellington. We are in conmmnication with Spreckels as to his sailing-dates, and will submit time-table as early as possible. Are urging him reduce stay of his steamer in Papeete in order expedite deliverv inward mails. | P.O. 08/3861.1 _^_^_^_^_________^_

No. 25. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 15th October, 1908. " Mariposa " leaves San Francisco 17th October, arrives Papeete 29th, returns 2nd November. Our steamer from Auckland arrives Papeete sth November, returns 6th. Following trip of " Mariposa " leaves San Francisco 22nd November, arrives Papeete 4th December, returns Bth ; and our steamer arrives Papeete 3rd December and returns 4th, due Auckland 17th. [P.O. 08/8861.]

No. 26. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Washington. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th October, 1908. Postmaster-General has entered into contract with Union Company for mail-service Wellington Papeete ten times year, connecting with United States mail-service Papeete-San Francisco. First trip from Wellington, third January. Time, Wellington San Francisco, twenty-four days ; WellingtonLondon, thirty-five days. [Telegram in similar terms sent to Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, and to Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.] [P.O. 08/3861.]

No. 27. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th October, 1908. Advise Imperial Post, Office and French Post Office New Zealandjjhas entered into contract with Union Company for mail-service Wellington Papeete ten times a year, connecting with mail-service Papeete San Francisco. First trip from Wellington third January. Time, Wellington San Francisco, twentyfour days London, thirty-five days. I i.JP.O. 08/3861.]