THE MAIL CONTRACT.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 3, 7 May 1872, Page 2

THE MAIL CONTRACT.

As "we notified iit our last the Mail Contract made between Victoria and 2*ew Zealand has been published. Our space being too limited to allow* of our giving iffc in full, we furnish our readers -with merely a digest. The contract is to come into force on the 19th day of September, 1872, and to- remain in force for eight years and six months; the original contract to cease on the commencement ef the new one. The time allowed for the transmission of the 1 myl between Melbourne, via Auckland, not to ' exceed 780 hours Few Zealand is to contribute . £27,500, and Victoria £32,500 per annum.

The contractors are to use their best endeavours to obtain, from the United States Government a j concession that phormivm Unax fibre and wool— the produce o£ New Zealand and Victoria—shall be admitted free of duty into the United States. Four boats are to be employed in the sendee equal in every respect to those now - running. The steamers will start from either terminus every 28 days, calling at the New Zealand ports as at present. The port of arrival and final departure in New Zealaud to be Auckland. The contractors are to enter into a bond of £25,000 for the faithful performance of the contract. Any dispute between the contractors and the postmasters-general to be settled by arbitration. The Governments of Victoria and New Zealand to have the power, and not the contractors, of entering into agreements with the Governments of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania. One-third of the sums thus received to be paid to the contractors, and the residue (if it does not exceed the sum of £2,500 per annum) is to be paid ta the Victorian Government, the excess (if any), to- be equally divided between the Govern-ments-of Victoria and New Zealand. The post-masters-general of Victoria and New Zealaud are to pay a bonus of £2 for every hour that the vesselc. shall deliver their mails in. Auckland, Melbourne, or San Francisco under the contract time. Also, any dispute that may arise between the two post-masters-generfil, in the latter case the Governor of South Australia for the time being is appointed arbitrator. i