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1894. NEW ZEALAND
OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In Continuation of Papers, F.-6, presented on the 20th September, 1893.]
Presented, to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency
SAN FBANCISCO MAIL-SERVICE. No. 1 The Secbetaby, General Post Office, to the Managing Dibectob, Union Steam Ship Company Post Office and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Wellington, Sib,— 14th August, 1893. I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, to ask whether your company is prepared to renew on the existing terms and conditions the contract for the San Francisco mail-service for twelve months from the expiration of the current period. The proposed renewal will complete the three years' term authorized by Parliament; and the first voyage should be timed to begin from Auckland on the 2nd December, and from San Francisco on the 9th November next. In order that arrangements may be made for the issue of the necessary time-tables, I shall be glad to have a reply at your earliest convenience. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W Gbay, Secretary Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Wellington.
No. 2. The Secbetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Sydney Post Office and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, "Wellington, Sib,— 14th August, 1893. I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, to inform you that the current year's contract for the San Francisco service expires with the despatch of the inward mails from London on the 7th, and San Francisco on the 21st October, and with the despatch of the mail leaving Sydney on the 30th idem, and Auckland on the 4th November next. The Contractors have been requested to renew the service for another twelve months (completing the term of three years' renewal authorized by our Parliament in 1891) on existing conditions, and I am to express the hope that your Government will continue its contribution of £4,000 for another year As our Parliament will probably be prorogued about the second week in September, the Hon. Mr. Ward would be glad to receive an affirmative reply before that date. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney W Gbay, Secretary.
No. 3. The Hon. the Pbemieb to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd September, 1893. Intend renew Frisco another year, assuming Imperial Post Office continue pay Postal Union rates. What prospect Imperial subsidy Vancouver ?
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No. 4. The Agent-Geneeal, to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, S.W , 4th October, 1893. With reference to telegram of 23rd September, Imperial Post Office confirms assumption.
No. 5 The Deputy Postmastee-Genebal, Sydney to the Seceetaby General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 23rd September, 1893. Subject approval Parliament, New South Wales will continue subsidy Frisco service for another year
No. 6. The Sbceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Genebal, Sydney Sik,— General Post Office, Wellington, 6th October, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your cablegram of the 23rd ultimo, intimating that, subject to the approval of Parliament, your department will continue its contribution towards the cost of the San Francisco mail-service for another year I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney W Gbay, Secretary
No 7 The Secbetaby General Post Office, to the Managing Dieectob, Union Steam Ship Company (Telegram.) Wellington, 7th October, 1893. I have now replies from Sydney agreeing to renew subsidy to the San Francisco mail-service for another year subject to approval of Parliament, and a reply from the Agent-General that London will continue to pay under Postal Union rates. I should be glad to hear formally that your company will agree to renewal on existing terms and conditions.
No 8. The Seobetaey General Post Office, to the Managing Dibectob, Union Steam Ship Company. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 9th October, 1893. In connection with the proposed renewal of the San Francisco mail-service for another year, I have the honour to ask whether your company is prepared to renew the interprovincial connecting-service, and on what terms. It is considered, that a reduction on the rate hitherto paid may now be reasonably expected, and I shall be glad to hear that your company is prepared to meet the wishes of the department in this direction. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W Gbay, Secretary Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
No. 9 The Managing Dibectob, Union Steam Ship Company, to the Secbetaby, General Post Office. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 11th October, 1893. We are willing to carry on mail-service for another year on existing terms. Presume there is no hope Imperial Government reverting to previous rates for outward mails. Can you send me comparative statement for current year as far as it has gone, showing difference between payment under Postal Union rates and under rates previously paid.
No. 10. The Managing Dikeotok, Union Steam Ship Company, to the Secbetaby, General Post Office. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin, Deae Sib,— 26th October, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of 9th instant, asking whether this company is prepared to renew the interprovincial service in connection with the San Francisco mail-service, and on what terms. The directors are quite prepared to renew the interprovincial service on the existing terms. They think you cannot reasonably expect them to render the services they do for any less sum. The carrying out of the running necessitates studying dates of arrival and departure of mailsteamers, and making special disposition of the boats to insure prompt connection. The directors also think it should be taken into consideration that the agreement is now only made from year to year, and not for a definite lengthened period. I have, &c, W Gray, Esq., T W Whitson, Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.
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No. 11 The Secretary, General Post Office, to the -Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 20th November 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, undertaking to renew the interprovincial service for the delivery of the mails inwards and outwards in connection with the San Francisco service, and stating reasons for not reducing the amount below that at present contracted for. In reply, I am directed by the Hon. the Postmaster-General to inform you that he accepts your offer to continue to perform the service for twelve months, from the expiration of the existing contract term, at the present subsidy of £3,000 a year I have, &c, The Managing Director W Gray Secretary Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
No 12. The Managing Director, Onion Steam Ship Company, to the Secretary, General Post Office. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited) Dunedin, Sir,— 4th December 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 20th ultimo, advising that the Hon. the Postmaster-General accepts our offer to continue the present interprovincial service for delivery of the inward and outward San Francisco mails for ohe present subsidy of £3,000 per annum. Thanking you for your courteous advice, I have, &c, T W Whitson, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director
No. 13. The Secretary, General Post Office, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 27th October, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 11th instant, announcing your willingness to carry on the San Francisco mail-service for another year on the existing terms. I regret to say, in reply to your inquiry that there is no hope of the Imperial Government increasing its payment. As requested, I send herewith a comparative statement, showing the cost of the San Francisco service under the contract of 1891-92, and that of 1892-93. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W Gray, Secretary Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
No. 14. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S. # W , Sib,— 4th October, 1893. Referring to the telegrams which have passed between us on the subject of the renewal of the San Francisco mail-service for another year, copies of which are appended [see Nos. 3 and 4], I beg to forward copies of my letter to the Secretary of the General Post Office on the subject, and the reply thereto. With regard to the Vancouver service there is nothing very definite to report. Mr Huddart is now in London, and when the members of the Ministry return to town for the autumn session, opening early in November, he intends to reopen his application for an Imperial subsidy He is sanguine of success, but I very much doubt whether his anticipations will be realised, as the postal authorities are, as you know, averse to adopt any policy which will divert the carriage of letters from the existing route via Suez. When a deputation of the Agents-General, headed by Sir Charles Tupper, the High Commissioner for Canada, some time ago waited on the Secretary of State for the Colonies to urge the granting of an Imperial subsidy to the Vancouver service, I thought it more prudent not to take any part, as I was unaware what the views of the Government were regarding the service, and, as the service did not then appear likely to directly benefit New Zealand, I decided to keep myself free from openly urging the Imperial Government to support the service. Although, as matters now stand, there is no immediate probability of the Vancouver service being made available for New Zealand as a mail-service, Mr Huddart expresses his hope and intention of eventually making arrangements which will enable the service to be used by the colony as an alternate service with the San Francisco service. He is not prepared at present to make any definite proposal, and states that any arrangement ■with this object must be approved by Canada. The Canadian Minister, the Hon. Mr Bowell, who is now on his way to Sydney to promote traderplations with Australia, is stated to be anxious to open up a trade with New Zealand, and, as time does not permit of his visiting New Zealand, I suggested in my cablegram that a member of the Ministry should proceed to Sydney to confer with him on the whole subject.
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After the receipt of this I shall be glad to receive your instructions as to whether I may, in a general way, join the High Commissioner for Canada, and such of the Australian Agents-General as represent colonies interested in the service, in supporting Mr Huddart's application for an Imperial subsidy My own opinion is that I might do so, as even if the service is no direct benefit to New Zealand, any service which improves the Pacific traffic must indirectly benefit the colony at once ; and as time goes on a way may be found of making some arrangement, either by a branch service from Fiji or by making one of the New Zealand ports a port of call, to enable the service to be used by the colony I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W B. Pebceval.
Enclosure 1 in No. 14. The Agent-Geneeal to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, London. Sib,— 13, Victoria Street, S.W., 25th September, 1893. Eeferring to your letter of the 13th April last, and to previous correspondence, I have the honour to inform you that my Government intend to renew for another year the arrangements under which mails are forwarded between this country and New Zealand via San Francisco. In conveying this intimation to you, I may add that it is of course assumed that the Imperial Post Office will continue for the same period the payments which are at present being made by it towards the maintenance of the service in question. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, St. Martin's-le-Grand. W B. Pebceval.
Enclosure 2 in No. 14. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — General Post Office, London, 3rd October, 1893. Eeferring to your letter of the 25th ultimo, in which you announce the intention of your Government to renew for another year the present arrangement for the conveyance of mails between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, via San Francisco, and ask to be confirmed in your assumption that the Imperial Post Office will for the same period continue the payments which it now makes towards the maintenance of the service, I beg leave to state that, as promised in the letter from this department of the 13th April last, the higher rates which the Post Office of New Zealand was requested to claim from the Ist of November last—namely, 10 francs 12 centimes per kilogramme of letters and 67 centimes per kilogramme of other articles—will be paid until the next Postal Union Congress. According to present arrangements, the next Congress will take place in the year 1897 I have, &c, W Eoche, W B. Perceval, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand. For the Secretary
No. 15. The Hon. the Pbemiee to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd November 1893. Fk'isoo renewed, another year Time-table continued present. Inform Imperial Post Office.
No. 16. The Hon. the Pebmiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 2nd November, 1893. I have the honour to inform you that it has been represented to the Postmaster-General that the transport of the San Francisco mails from London would be accelerated were they forwarded by the fast steamers sailing from Southampton for New York direct, in the place of being sent via Queenstown. A representative of Messrs. Spreckels Brothers of San Francisco recently visited London, and his observation in connection with the transport of the colonial mails to New York may be gathered from a perusal of the accompanying extract from a communication he addressed to the Postmaster-General [see No. 51] His remarks have been supplemented by a letter received last mail from Messrs. Spreckels Brothers in connection with the London mails of the 9th September last having been a day late in leaving San Francisco, owing to the late arrival of the Atlantic steamer [see No. 52] You will perhaps give these representations your earnest consideration, and, should you find that a change is desirable, I shall be obliged if you will bring the matter under the notice of the General Post Office. A renewal of the San Francisco service for another year has now been arranged, the Government of New South Wales continuing the contribution of £4,000. I enclose two copies of the approved time-table, and also copy of cable sent you to-day The Vancouver service, sustained a temporary interruption from the loss of the " Miowera. The contractors were very fortunate, however, in being able to replace her by so fine a steamer as the " A raw a." Owing to a difference of opinion between the Governments of New South Wales and Queensland, the Vancouver steamers have ceased to call at Brisbane. Press telegrams now announce, on the authority of Sir George Dibbs, that the vessels hereafter will call at Fiji. Beyond this, nothing is known as to the future of the service.
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Government is very anxious to ascertain what support, if any, the Imperial Government is likely to give the service. Mr Bowell, the special representative from Canada, is still in Australia, but has not as yet communicated with this Government in reference to the service, and has just intimated that he will not have time to visit New Zealand. I have, &c, W B. Perceval, Esq P A. Buckley, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. For the Premier
No. 17 The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sic, — General Post Office, Wellington, 2nd November, 1893. I beg to advise you that the San Francisco mail-service has been formally renewed for another year I enclose two copies of the time-table, which is a continuation of the present one. Be so good as to advise the San Francisco Post Office. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Sun Fire Insurance Company W Geay, Secretary. California Street, San Francisco, California.
No. 18. The Seobetaey, General Post Office, to the Managing Dieectoe, Union Steam Ship Company. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1893. Adverting to my letter of the 27th ultimo, I have the honour formally to announce that the Hon. the Postmaster-General has accepted your offer to continue to carry on the San Francisco service for another year on existing terms from the expiry of the present contract. I enclose copy of my telegram, and of your reply preceding my letter —namely, of the 7th and 11th ultimo respectively I have already communicated with you by a separate letter on the subject of the interprovicial service. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W Geay, Secretary Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
No. 19 The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, London. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1893. I have the honour to inform you that arrangements have been completed for the renewal of the San Francisco mail-service for twelve months from the expiry of the present contract, of which fact you have probably been advised by the Agent-General. It is noted, as advised by the Agent-General, that your department will continue to contribute towards the cost of the service at the present Postal Union rates. I have, &c, W Gbay, The Secretary, General Post Office, London. For the Postmaster-General.
No. 20. The Secbetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Genebal, Sydney Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1893. Adverting to your cablegram of the 23rd September last, and my acknowledgment thereof by letter of the 6th ultimo, I have now the honour to inform you that the contract for the San Francisco service has been renewed with the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited) for a period of twelve months from the termination of the contract now expiring. I shall no doubt hear from you by an early mail that your Parliament has agreed to the continuance of your department's contribution towards the cost of the service. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney W Geay, Secretary.
No. 21 The Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington Postal and Electric Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Sydney, Sic,— 12th December 1893. I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 24th ultimo, with reference to the contribution of this colony towards the cost of the San Francisco mail-service for another year from the date of termination of the contract just expired, and to inform you that provision has been made on the estimates for 1894 to cover the expenditure, but the amount has not yet been voted by Parliament. I have, &c, J. Dalgaeno, The Secretary, pro Deputy Postmaster-General. General Post Office, Wellington, New Zealand.
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No 22
The Secretary, General Post Office, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 27th December, 1893. I have the honour to inform you that the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, has intimated, in reply to a letter from this office, that provision has been made on the estimates for 1894 for the contribution of the Colony of New South Wales towards the cost of the Sail Francisco mailservice for another year, but that the amount has not yet been voted by Parliament. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W Gray, Secretary Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
No 23. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, to the Secretary, General Post Office. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited) Dunedin, Sir, — 13th January 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of 27th ultimo, and am obliged to you for the information that the Deputy Postmaster-General of New South Wales has intimated that provision has been made on the estimates for 1894 for the contribution by that colony towards the cost of the San Francisco mail-service for another year, but that the amount has not yet been voted by Parliament. I have. &c, T W Whitson, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Manging Director
No. 24. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 15th June, 1894. Frisco Postal Conference resolved that service be renewed for three years. Propose ask House agree. Will Imperial Government continue existing arrangements for this term?
No. 25 The Wellington Chamber of Commerce to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. Sib, — Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, 19th June, 1893. I have the honour, by the direction of the President of this Chamber to bring under your notice certain subjects to which attention was drawn at a general meeting of members held on the 16th instant, and as to which the opinion expressed by those present was unanimous. San Francisco Mail-service. —It is felt that the benefits of this otherwise excellent service are, to a great extent, lost to a large proportion of the colony through the present arrangements as to the ports and dates of arrival and departure, and it is urged that such alterations should be made in the dates as would enable correspondents in all parts of New Zealand to answer their letters in a reasonable time by this route. At present the opportunity to reply does not occur till between three and four weeks after receipt of letters. It is, however still strongly felt that, if the service is to be continued, Wellington, as the most central port, should, in the interests of the majority, be the port of arrival and departure. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. S. Carroll, Secretary
No. 26. The Secretary, General Post Office, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. (Memorandum.) 22nd June, 1893. The inward San Francisco mails reach Auckland two days before the departure of the outgoing steamer There is, therefore, an interval of thirty days between the steamer's arrival and departure on the return voyage. Auckland, and Auckland only secures the advantage of answering letters received on Thursday by the mail leaving two days later and this, apparently, is the mainspring of the Chamber's grievance. Other parts of the colony have the fast direct steamers leaving either Wellington or Lyttelton on the Thursday after the arrival of the San Francisco mail at Auckland. That the Wellington and southern merchants are by no means badly served may be seen by the following example Last inward Frisco mail arrived at Auckland 15th June, and Wellington 16th last outward Frisco mail left Auckland 17th June, and is duo in London 19th July , direct steamer left Lyttelton to-day (22nd June) and is due London 2nd August next outward Frisco mail leaves Wellington 13th July, and Auckland 15th, and is due in London 16th August. So that the steamer leaving Lyttelton to-day with replies to Frisco letters by the mail which arrived at Auckland last Thursday should reach London fourteen days before the next outward Frisco mail. In addition, there are the weekly mails via, Brindisi. The present Frisco time-table, as the Postmaster-General may remember, was framed so as to secure the swiftest
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vessels on the Atlantic for both outward and inward mails, but, as several new and very fast steamers have been placed in the Atlantic trade during the last year, it may be assumed that vessels of maximum speed can now be secured every week. The Frisco time-table might, therefore, be altered so as to place all parts of the colony on more equal terms, and without increasing the time of delivery, by despatching the mails a week later from London The inward mails would then reach Auckland five days after the departure of the outgoing mails, and the interval for replies would be twenty-three instead of thirty days. Southland would have fourteen, Sydney thirteen, and London twenty-five days, while the steamers would have twentyone "lay-days" at San Francisco in the place of fourteen. If at all practicable, I submit that such a change should be made, and that the Agent-General ascertain whether the London Post Office would approve. W Gbay. The Hon. the Postmaster-General. Minute.—Approved, change of arriving. Port is optional with contractors, and not with P.M.G.—J.G W 23/6/93.
No. 27 The Seoketaby, General Post Office, to the Secbetaby, Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Post Office and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Wellington, Sib,— 28th June, 1893. I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, bringing under notice the question of the date of the arrival in New Zealand of the San Francisco mails, and the port of arrival, :; ' ■■'- '■'■'■ to which attention was drawn at a general meeting of the members of your Chamber held on the 16th instant. In reply I am directed to inform you that the department recognises that an alteration of the San Francisco service time-table is desirable, and that steps are being taken to effect this. No change, however, can at present be made in the port of call, as this does not rest with the Post-master-General, Parliament having left it to the contractors to determine, when renewing the service for three years in 1891, which port they would select. As your Chamber is aware they preferred to continue to call at Auckland. The Secretary, 1 have, &c, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington. W Gbay, Secretary
No. 28. The Hon. the Peemieb to the Agent-Genebal. Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1893. I have the honour to inform you that a change in the running of the San Francisco mailservice is now considered desirable. As you are no doubt aware the present time-table provides for the in.ward mail arriving at Auckland two days prior to the departure of the outgoing one. This enables the business people of Auckland, and Auckland only, to answer letters by the outgoing mail, while the merchants in the South have to avail themselves of the Direct or Suez services, or to wait for the following despatch via San Francisco. By despatching the London mails a week later than at present all parts of the colony would be placed on an equal footing in the matter of replies. The service would be further improved were the mails from this end despatched a week earlier, but this has not been definitely decided upon. The recent additions to the Atlantic fleet of fast steamers should make the London change possible without lengthening the transit to New York. May I, therefore, request you to be so good as to confer with the London Post Office authorities, and ascertain whether the proposal to change the London despatch could be advantageously adopted, and to advise me at your earliest convenience of the result, which I trust may be favourable. I have, &c, E. J Seddon. W B. Perceval, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 29. The Secbetaby, General Post Office, to the Managing Dibectoe, Union Steam Ship Company Post Office and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Wellington Sib,— 3rd July, 1893. I have the honour to inform you that, recognising that the benefits of the San Francisco mail-service are, to a great extent, lost to the major portion of the colony owing to the present arrangements as to the arrival at, and departure from New Zealand of the "mail-steamers, the Hon the Postmaster-General is desirous of remedying the present inconvenience by an alteration in the time-table. It is considered that the best arrangement for the whole of the colony would be to make the departure of the mail from London a week later than at present and the AgentGeneral has been requested to inquire whether this cannot be arranged without its being necessary to utilise slow or inferior steamers for the Atlantic transit of the mails. This time-table would give the residents of all parts of the colony ample time to reply to their letters by the
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first return steamer ; but it would be still more advantageous, in addition to the proposed later despatch from London, were the mails from New Zealand to leave a week earlier than at present. This would provide for an interval of about sixteen days at Auckland and about a week at Invercargill between the arrival and departure of the mail, and would still allow of the mail-steamers remaining about a week in Sydney I shall duly communicate to you the result of the Agent-General s negotiations with the London Post Office , but, in the meantime, I should be glad if you would favour me with your opinion as to the feasibility of the suggested alterations in the time-table. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W Gbay, Secretary Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
No. 30. The Managing Dieectoe, Union Steam Ship Company, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Wellington, Sib,— sth July, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 3rd July in reference to the proposal to make an alteration in the dates of arrival and departure of the mail-steamers for San Francisco. As far as I can see there would be no objection to the inward mails being a week later, as the steamers would still have a sufficient number of " lay-days " in Sydney to enable them to get through their coal and cargo work and docking. It would be impossible, however, at the same time, to accelerate the departure from the colony, as this would give the steamers only something like six days in Sydney, which would not be sufficient. I note that you wish to give the residents in all parts of the colony time to reply to their letters by the return steamer I would point out, however, that by making the arrival in the colony a week later the residents of Auckland would be deprived of the great advantage they enjoy at present of being able to reply to their letters within forty-eight hours by the outgoing steamer, while the residents of the other parts of the colony would not be any better off, as the only advantage to the residents of Wellington and Christchurch would be that there would be sixteen to eighteen days' interval between the arrival and departure of the mail instead of twenty-three to twenty-five days, as at present. I have, &c, E. P Houghton, W Gray, Esq., For Managing Director. Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 31 The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram ) Wellington, sth July, 1893. Fe'isco service Desire London despatch made week later Assume fast steamers available, and Post Office agreeable. Reply Also considering whether mails leave colony week earlier
No. 32. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Pbemiee. (Telegram.) London, 19th July, 1893. With reference to telegram sth, Imperial Post Office agreeable. Fast steamers available. Shall wait for instructions.
No. 33. The Secbetaby, General Post Office, to the Managing Dieectoe, Union Steam Ship Company Post Office and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Wellington, Sib,— 21st July, 1893. In continuation of my letter of the 3rd instant, in connection with the proposed change of sailing-day of the San Francisco mail-steamers, I have now the honour to inform you that the Agent-General advises that the London Post Office is agreeable to despatch the mails for New Zealand a week later from London, and that fast steamers will be available for the Atlantic transit. I purpose, therefore, recommending that the change commence in September next, and that the mail now timed to leave London on the 2nd of that month be despatched on the 9th. I shall be glad to learn that it will be convenient for your company to arrange for the sailing of the mailsteamer from San Francisco on the 21st instead of the 14th September, and every fourth Thursday thereafter until further notice. No change in the meantime will be made in the despatch from this end. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W Gbay Secretary Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Wellington.
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No. 34. The Managing Dieectob, Union Steam Ship Company, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin, Sic,— 26th July, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 21st instant notifying that the Agent-General advises that the London Post Office is agreeable to despatch the mails for New Zealand from London a week later than at present, and that you purpose recommending that this change should commence in September next. We shall communicate with San Francisco by cable on the subject, and advise you when we hear from Messrs. Spreckels and Brothers Company We shall delay cabling the latter until after the 3rd August, by which time copies of the communications that passed between us on 3rd and sth instant regarding this subject will be in their hands. I have, &c, T W Whitson, W Gray Esq., For Managing Director. Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 35. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastbe-Geneeal, Sydney (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist August, 1893. Postmastee-Geneeal of opinion Frisco mails should now leave London week later, so as to reduce unduly long interval in the colonies between arrival and departure of the steamers. London Post Office agrees. Contractors awaiting cable advices from Frisco. I will cable you so soon as hear definitely.
No. 36. The Hon. the Premise to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 10th August, 1893. After the despatch of my letter of the Ist ultimo, informing you that it was desired that, the mails for transmission via San Francisco should leave London a week later than at present arranged, it was considered advisable that the matter should be dealt with by cable, and a cable message was accordingly sent you on the sth ultimo. To this you replied on the 19th, advising that the London Post Office was agreeable to the change, and that fast steamers were available for the transport of the mails to New York. The contractors were at once communicated with, and they now await receipt of cable advices from their San Francisco representatives, before giving a final reply that they will be prepared for the change commencing next month. There is every reason to believe that tli3 contractors' arrangements will admit of this, in which case the mails, timed to leave London on the 2nd proximo, will be despatched on the Saturday following, and every fourth Saturday thereafter until further notice. The despatch from this end is not to be changed. I enclose copies of my cable of the sth and your reply of the 19th ultimo. I have, &c, P A. Buckley, W B. Perceval, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand, London. For the Premier.
No. 37 The Secbetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Kesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th August, 1893. Mails leave London week later, commencing September ninth and Frisco twenty-first. Every fourth Saturday and Thursday thereafter Advise Post Office, Spreckels.
No. 38. The Hon. the Pbemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 10th August, 1893. I have the honour to inform you that since writing my letter of this date, advising you of the action taken in regard to changing the sailing-day of the San Francisco mail from London, the contractors have received a cable message from their agents in San Francisco, intimating that the change may commence with the despatch of the September mail. I have, therefore, requested you by cable to arrange for the despatch of the next mail from London via San Francisco on the 9th instead of the 2nd September I enclose copies of the cable message received by the Union Company [not printed] and of that despatched to you to-day. I have, &c, P A. Buckley, For the Premier W B. Perceval, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
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Enclosure in No 38. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th August, 1893. Fe'isco Mails W T eek later despatch from London commence September 9th. Every fourth Saturday thereafter No change this end. Advise Post Office.
No 39 The Seceetaey, General Post Office, to the Managing Dibeotob, Union Steam Ship Company Post Office and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Wellington, Sib,— ' 10th August, 1893. Adverting to my letter of the 21st ultimo, in reference to the change in the time-table of the San Francisco mail-service in respect of the despatch from London, I have now the honour to inform you that the Hon. the Postmaster-General has decided to make the change next month. The next mail via San Francisco from London will, therefore, be despatched on the 9th instead of the 2nd September, and will leave San Francisco on the 21st. The Agent-General and the department's Eesident Agent in San Francisco have been so informed by cable. I have, &c. The Managing Director, W Gbay, Secretary Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Wellington.
No. 40. The Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Kesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Post Office and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Wellington, Sib,— 10th August, 1893. In connection with the despatch of the mails from London and San Francisco a week later than heretofore, commencing with the next despatch from London, I have the honour to confirm my cable message of this day's date. As the cablegram would intimate, the mails, instead of leaving London on the 2nd September, and San Francisco on the 14th September, and on every fourth Saturday and Thursday thereafter, will leave London on the 9th September and San Francisco on the 21st September, and every fourth Saturday and Thursday thereafter I have, &c, W Geay, Secretary H. S. Smith, Esq., Sun Insurance Company, California Street, San Francisco.
No 41 The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmasteb-Geneeal, Sydney (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th August, 1893. Fb'isco Service and my telegram of Ist.—Commencing next month, London and Frisco despatch will be a week later than at present. Leave London 9th, Frisco 21st proximo, and every fourth Saturday and Thursday thereafter
No. 42. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmasteb-Genebal, Sydney Post Office and Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Wellington, Sib,— 11th August, 1893. I have the honour to enclose copies of my cablegrams to you of the Ist and 10th instant, intimating that the Postmaster-General was of opinion that the mails via San Francisco should leave London a week later than at present, so as to reduce the unduly long interval in the colonies between the arrival and despatch of the mail steamers. On receipt of advice from the Union Steam Ship Company that their agents in San Francisco agreed to the later dispatch, I at once cabled you that the alteration would take effect as from the 9th proximo. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney W Gbay, Secretary
No 43. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Pbemieb. (Telegram.) London, 18th August, 1893. With reference to telegram 10th, Imperial Post Office arranged accordingly, commencing 9fch September.
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No 44. The Hon. the Premier to the Agi nt-Geneeal. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 31st August, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 18th instant, informing me that the Imperial Post Office had arranged to make the change in the date of the departure of the San Francisco mail from London commence on the 9th proximo, as desired in my telegram of the 10th. I enclose copies of the telegrams. I have, &c, J G Ward, For the Premier W B. Perceval, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No 45. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W , Sir,— 19th July, 1893. Eeferring to your cablegram of the sth instant, 1 beg to inform you that, in accordance with the instructions contained therein, I addressed a letter to the General Post Office (copy of which I herewith transmit) and I have this day received a letter (copy also enclosed) in reply, stating that no inconvenience would arise if the proposal to make the despatch of the San Francisco mail from London a week later than under the present arrangements was carried into effect. The letter also indicated that the mail, if the date was thus altered, would continue to be despatched from Queenstown by the fast steamers of the Cunard line. I accordingly sent you a cablegram stating the substance of the General Post Office's reply and intimating that I should await your instructions before taking any further steps in the matter I have, &c, The Hon the Premier, Wellington. W B. Perceval.
Enclosure 1 in No. 45. The Agent-General to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir,— 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 7th July, 1893. I have the honour to inform you that I have received a cablegram from my Government, stating that they desire that the mails by the San Francisco route shall be despatched from London a week later than under the present arrangements, and that, in connection with this proposal, they are also considering whether the homeward mails by the same route shall leave the colony a week earlier Before, however, coming to a final decision, my Government will be glad to learn whether the despatch from London a week later will be agreeable to the Postal authorities in this country, and also, whether in the event of the alteration being adopted, fast steamers can be relied on for the Atlantic transit. I have, &c, W B. Perceval, The Secretary, General Post Office, St. Martin's-le-Grand. Agent-General.
Enclosure 2 in No. 45 The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-General. Sir,— General Post Office, 18th July, 1893. I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, stating that the New Zealand. Government desires the mails for that country via San Francisco to be in future despatched from London a week later than they are under the existing arrangements. In reply, I have to inform you that, so far as this department is concerned, no inconvenience would arise from such a change. With regard to the question you raise respecting the speed of the steamers by which the New Zealand mails would, in such altered circumstances, be conveyed across the Atlantic, I may state that, unless the Cunard Steam Ship Company alter the order in which their packets are advertised to be despatched, the mails would be conveyed from Queenstown by the " Btruria," which, as you are probably aware, is one of the company's two fastest vessels after the " Campania." You will, of course, kindly inform this department, without delay, of any further communication which you may receive from your Government on this subject. I have &c, H. BUXTON FORMAN, The Agent-General for New Zealand. For the Secretary.
No. 46. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 7th September, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th July, enclosing copy of my telegram of the sth idem, and of your reply of the 19th, also of your letter of the 7th idem to the Imperial Post Office and Mr Forman's reply, in reference to the change in the date of the despatch of the mails via San Francisco from London.
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I note that the change will allow of the fast steamers of the Cunard line being still used for the Atlantic transit. My letter of the 31st ultimo contains a copy of your acknowledgment of my further telegram of the 10th idem, instructing you that the change was to begin with this month's mail from London. I have, &c, J G Ward, W B. Perceval, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand, London. For the Premier
No. 47 The Chaibman, Chamber of Commerce, Auckland, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal. (Telegram. Auckland, Bth September, 1893. Chambeb still of opinion that the colony would be better served with the ten days between arrival and departure than the twenty-one proposed at present. There is no difficulty in delivering mails in Otago in three days. Allow four for either way this would give two clear days for Otago. This should be ample for all commercial requirements, and is the time allowed Auckland under present arrangements. Trust you reconsider your decision and fall in with our views.
No 48. The Hon. the Postmastee-Genebal to the Chaibman, Chamber of Commerce, Auckland. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 18th September, 1893. I have the honour to refer to your telegram of the Bth instant, in continuation of previous correspondence in connection with the change of sailing-day of the San Francisco mail-steamers, in which you reiterate the opinion of your Chamber that an interval of ten days between the arrival and despatch of the San Francisco mail-steamers from Auckland would serve the whole colony better than the recently revised time-table. In reply, I much regret that I am unable to see my way to vary the new time-table in the direction desired. Altogether apart from the fact that the proposed variation would practically shut out replies from New South Wales, I cannot concur in the view that two clear days should be sufficient for replies to be sent from Dunedin. Even were the time sufficient, it would be unreasonable to exclude the important country centres throughout the southern portion of the colony from the privilege of replying to their letters by the first return mail. It appears also to have been overlooked by your Chamber that, so long as the New South Wales Government continues to contribute to the subsidy for the service, the interests of that colony must be considered. I would remind you that the new time-table is practically a reversion to that which was in existence for some years prior to 1891, and that the reason for the change from that time-table to the one which has just been rearranged was made solely with the object of taking advantage of the swiftest vessels on the Atlantic for the Homeward transit of our mails. I have, &c, J G Ward, Postmaster-General. Adam Porter, Esq., Chairman, Chamber of Commerce, Auckland.
No. 49. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Pbemieb. Westminister Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 18th August, 1893. Referring to your cablegram copy herewith) of the 10th instant, I beg to transmit copy of correspondence with the General Post Office, by which it will be seen that that department has arranged to despatch to New Zealand mails via San Francisco a week later I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W B. Peeceval.
Enclosure 1 m No. 49 The Agent-Genebal to the Secebtaby, General Post Office, London. Sib, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W 10th August, 1893. Eeferring to my letter of the 7th July last, and to your reply of the 18th of that month, I beg to state that I have received a cablegram from my Government, instructing me to inform your department that it has been arranged to despatch the New Zealand mails vid San Francisco from London a week later commencing on the 9th September next, and on every fourth Saturday thereafter , and to request you to give this arrangement proper effect so far as your department is concerned. i I am also to state, for the information of your department, that there will be no change in the date of the mails leaving the colony for this country • T have, &c, Walteb Kennaway, For the Agent-General. The Secretary to the General Post Office, St. Martin's-le-Grand.
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Enclosure 2 m No. 49 The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-General. Sir— General Post Office, 18th August, 1893. I duly received your letter of the 10th instant, announcing that the Government of New Zealand had arranged for the despatch of mails to that colony via San Francisco, to take place one week later than under the existing arrangement, counting from Saturday, the 9th of September, which date would be substituted for Saturday, the 2nd. In reply, I have to acquaint you that the necessary steps have been taken by this department for giving effect to the arrangement, and for bringing the alteration in question to the notice of the public in this country I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. H Buxton Forman
No 50. The Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — San Francisco, 21st September, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 10th ultimo, confirming your cable of the same day referring to change of time in departure of steamer conveying mails from London and San Francisco. This change will commence with departure of the E.M.S.S. "Alameda" to-morrow one day late, caused by delay of the "Etruria" on the Atlantic. My communication of the 15th August will have informed you of register of cable address in this city The homeward mails ex ' Alameda" are reported to have reached Southampton by the " Paris " (late "City of Paris ") on the 13th instant, time-table date, severe Atlantic gales having retarded this vessel's usual quick trips nearly two days, thus defeating the indications of a remarkably fast through transmission. I have, &c, 11. Stephen son Smith, W Gray, Bsq , Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Eesident Agent.
No 51 Mr Cockeoft of Oceanic Steamship Company) San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— San Francisco, 22nd July, 1893. I have just made the trip to London and returned, and observed the transportation of the mails, and made note of the changes, &c. By way of information, I might say that the present service could be greatly expedited if the stop at Queenstown were omitted. The steamer from Liverpool loses at least eight hours there, with no particular gain to the mail despatched from London. As you are probably aware, the steamer leaves Liverpool about 4 p.m., and makes its way slowly to Queenstown, arriving there early Sunday morning, and waits in Queenstown Harbour until 1 or 2 o'clock in the afternoon for the mails by the way of Holyhead. If the mail were despatched from London, say Saturday noon, it could be ready to be put on board by the tender early Sunday morning, and thus save waiting this six hours, the steamer coming down from Liverpool in the ordinary course. This detention of six hours is a very serious one, and through it the Liverpool steamers are prevented from getting into New York before late in the afternoon the following Saturday, and this often means an entire twenty-four hours to our steamer at Ban Francisco. If the mail does not get into New York before seven or eight Saturday evening, our departure from San Francisco is made Friday instead of Thursday I think, if the attention of the London Post Office were called to this, they might be induced to forward their mails Saturday noon instead of Saturday p.m. As you know, Saturday is a half-day in London, and business practically closes at Saturday noon, or, for that matter, letters to catch the steamer are generally written on the Friday. Another means of transportation from London is by the way of the fast steamers of the American Line, which leave Southampton noon on Saturday, arriving generally in New York on the following Friday As you will see by the item enclosed [not printed] the " Paris " arrived in New York yesterday about 6 p.m. On similar run across the Atlantic, bringing the New Zealand mails, it would be possible to fix our day of departure from San Francisco on Wednesday instead of Thursday as at present, but in event that the mails were despatched from London by either the " Paris " or " New York," the day of departure would rarely be later than Thursday from here, but as it is now it is oftener Friday than Thursday and to-day the " Mariposa " sails on Saturday, because the Cunard Line substituted the " Servia " for the " Lucania," which was to have brought the mails. With the present facilities for bringing the mail by the San Francisco route, it seems to me a practicable thing would be to have some one in London to look after the despatch of this mail by a steamer that would land it in New York to make the proper connection with us in San Francisco for the sailing on Thursday in accordance with the time-table. For instance, when the Cunard Line substitute a slow steamer, to have the Post Office despatch it on that particular day by a steamer that would make the trip across the Atlantic in six days and a half. There are several of these, as you know —the North German Lloyd, the Hamburg Line, &c, have six-and-a-half-day steamers. The run which the Canadian-Pacific advertise their quick time by was made in con-
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nection with a Hamburg-American steamer It does not seem the right thing to have the mail despatched by a slow steamer when a fast steamer is running on some other route , and a man in London could keep track of a matter of this kind, and it would not necessarily be expensive, as an agent of the Union Steam Ship Company in London would look after it without compensation were he authorized to do so. It seems too bad that, when the mail is despatched by a slow steamer across the Atlantic, we are unable to protest against it, and I should think, from your side, it could be effected by some simple arrangement through you. These are merely remarks by the way, and I trust the perusal of them will not be uninteresting. I have, &c, W Gray, Esq., General Post Office, New Zealand. L. F Cockboft.
No. 52. The J D. Speeckels and Beothees Company, San Francisco, to the Hon. the PostmasteeGeneeal, Wellington. Deae Sic, — San Francisco, 22nd September, 1893. The "Alameda" sails to-day twenty-four hours late on account of the detention of the mails in New York, same having come over by the ' Etruria." On the 16th we received a despatch from the-manager of the Telegraph Company in New York to the effect that the mails of the steamer " New York" landed at 2.30 p.m., that the " Etruria" would land probably at 6.30. Had the mails come by the steamer " New York " of the Inman Line, they would have been able to leave here on Thursday, whereas, in coming by the " Etruria," they arrived about an hour too late for the despatch by the evening train. This is an instance in point relative to which we have previously written you. We trust that it may be possible to arrange with the London Post Office to send the mails by the quickest outgoing steamer on the day they are transmitted. Can your department bring any pressure to bear to that end ? It is desirable to make our service as expeditious as possible, and a little attention in this direction will be of much advantage to us. Very truly, &c, J t> Speeokels and Beothees Company. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.
No. 53. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Mr Cockeoft, San Francisco. My Deae Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, sth October, 1893. I am in receipt of yours of the 22nd July, which I was unable to acknowledge last month. I am much obliged for the hints anent the despatch of the London mails, and have suggested to the Postmaster-General that representations to the Agent-General on the lines indicated by you should be made. In any case an endeavour will be made to obviate the delay which now takes place at Queenstown, but I think it is almost too much to expect that we would be able to make Wednesday the regular sailing-day from San Francisco. You would have already learned of the appointment of Mr Smith, vice Mr Creighton. I return you Mr Backus' certificate. Believe me, &c, L.'F Cockroft, Esq., 327, Market Street, San Francisco. W Geay
No 54. The Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the J D. Spbeokels and Beothees Company, San Francisco. Gentlemen — General Post Office, Wellington, 20th October, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd ultimo, bringing under notice that, owing to the San Francisco mail of September being despatched from London by the steamer " Etruria instead of the " New York," it had arrived at New York too late to connect with the evening train for San Francisco, and in consequence the sailing of the steamer " Alameda " had been delayed twenty-four hours, and asking this department to arrange with the London Post Office to forward mails for New Zealand, via San Francisco, by the quickest outgoing steamer on the day they are transmitted. I have, &c, W Geay, Secretary The J D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, 327, Market Street, San Francisco.
No. 55. The Besident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Sbcbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Deae Sic, — San Francisco, California, 15th December, 1893. I returned yesterday from a visit to Chicago, New York, and Washington, and upon my return received your communication of the 2nd November [not printed, but see No. 17], and note that the service has been extended another year on the same terms as formerly.
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The tenor of your communication is not very reassuring regarding the prospect of a continuation at the end of that period, unless, as you say; the United States Government are willing to make a more liberal contribution towards the expenses of the service. While in Washington I took advantage of an opportunity I had to obtain an introduction to Mr Brooks, of the Foreign Mail Department, through an influential senator from New York. I had an interview with him of about an hour, during which time I endeavoured to impress upon him the condition of matters affecting the service, laying special stress upon the inadequacy of the United States' contribution, viewing it from the standpoint of the benefits derived by this country He stated that they were fully alive to this matter through the able representation of Mr Creighton, et al., but that the United States Government, as a matter of fact, were now contributing a larger amount than they were authorized to do by the strict interpretation of the Congressional appropriation, and they were therefore somewhat diffident about raising any point in connection with the contribution for fear that this excessive payment should be disclosed. He stated, however, that they would be very much pleased to hear from either the New Zealand Government, or myself, in reference to the matter, but could not hold out any hopes that anything could be secured thereby I also interviewed the Postal authorities of New York, in an endeavour to get details of the arrivals and departures of the Australian mail from that port notified with more precision than hitherto, and hope I may have accomplished something in this direction. The " Alameda " leaves to-morrow, after twenty-four hours' detention through late arrival of the " Etruria." The outward mail left New York by the " Paris on the 29th ultimo, reaching Southampton on contract date. Very sincerely, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, W Gray, Esq., General Post Office, Wellington. Eesident Agent.
No. 56. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir, — 3rd January, 1894. Eeferring to your letter of the 2nd November last, I herewith transmit copy of correspondence which has taken place between the Imperial Post Office and myself, relating to the suggestions made for securing an earlier delivery in New Zealand of the mails sent thereto from this country by the San Francisco route. It will be observed that the Post Office authorities are not inclined to adopt the alterations suggested. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W B. Perceval.
Enclosure 1 in No. 56. The Agent-General to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir— 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 19th December, 1893. I have the honour, on behalf of my Government, to request you to direct the attention of the Postmaster-General to the desirability of taking into consideration the present mode of despatching the mails which are transmitted to Australia and New Zealand by the San Francisco route. The mails which were despatched by that route from London on the 9th September arrived twenty-four hours late at San Francisco, and this delay is stated to have been owing to the "Etruria," by which steamer the mails were forwarded, arriving at New York about an hour too late for their despatch by the evening train to San Francisco , and in reference thereto it is pointed out that had the mails been sent by the steamer " New York," which left Southampton at noon on the 9th September, they would have arrived at San Francisco in sufficient time to have enabled the steamer carrying on the mails to New Zealand and Australia to have left a day earlier. Again, it has been represented to my Government that the present service via Queenstown could be greatly expedited by the mails being placed on board the steamer at Queenstown early on the Sunday morning, thus saving six hours during which the steamer waits at that port for the mails after its arrival from Liverpool. This detention is stated to be the frequent cause of their not arriving at New York until so late the following Saturday, that it often results in a twenty-four hours' delay in the despatch of the steamer from San Francisco, it being represented that if the mails do not get into New York before seven or eight o'clock on Saturday, their departure from San Francisco is made Friday instead of Thursday The Imperial Post Office are, no doubt, in a position to verify these statements, but assuming that they are correct, and I have no reason to suppose them to be otherwise, the conclusion to be drawn from them appears to be that if the mails could be despatched six hours earlier from Queenstown, or could be sent by the steamers leaving Southampton, the result would be that they would not be delayed, as they sometimes are, twenty-four hours in their departure from San Francisco. Either of the above proposed arrangements would, however, I apprehend, render it necessary to close the mail in London early Saturday morning instead of on the evening of that day, and correspondents on this side would then virtually have to post their letters, &c, on Friday night. This, however, would not, probably, be objected to if the earlier despatch of the mails resulted in the gain of twenty-four hours in their arrival at their destinations, more especially as all ordinary business correspondence is posted under the present arrangements early on Saturday, and probably a considerable portion of it on the Friday night.
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I shall esteem it a favour if you will ask the Postmaster-General to give the matter his early consideration, and to communicate to me his views respecting it. I am, &c, W B. Peeceval, The Secretary to the General Post Office, St. Martins-le-Grand. Agent-General.
Enclosure 2 m No. 56. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-Genebal. Sib, — General Post Office, London, 29th December, 1893. The Postmaster-General has had before him your letter of the 19th instant, in which you suggest that, with a view of securing on some occasions an earlier arrival in New Zealand, by twenty-four hours, the mails for that colony sent by the route of San Francisco should be despatched by one of the fast steamers of the American Line from Southampton, instead of by one of the Cunard steamers from Queenstown, or, if still forwarded by the Cunard Line, that arrangements should be made for the steamer to leave Queenstown with the mails on board early on Sunday morning. In thanking you for these suggestions, I am directed to observe, in regard to the first, that there are many good reasons for the practice followed by this department in sending its mails by the contract services which it maintains, and that the only contract services to New York are those with the Cunard and White Star Companies. The arrangement is to send all correspondence going to or through the United States by the mail packets provided by the two companies abovementioned, unless specially superscribed for transmission by other vessels. But even if, on all occasions, an earlier arrival in New Zealand by twenty-four hours would result from the use of the Southampton route, this would only be attained by curtailing the time for posting in London and increasing the Friday night's posting, which latter effect would involve very serious inconvenience and risk of deranging other important services. You are perhaps not aware that, according to a list published by the Cunard Company, the " Campania," which has been withdrawn for a time, will resume her voyages from Liverpool on the 24th February next, the day fixed for the despatch of mails from London to New Zealand, via San Francisco. On Sunday, the 25th February, therefore, and every fourth Sunday thenceforward for some time, the " Campania " will carry from Queenstown the British mails for New Zealand, and, according to past performances, she may be expected to arrive at New York on the following Friday night or Saturday morning in each case. To carry out the second suggestion made in your letter would involve a despatch from London on Saturday afternoon instead of in the evening. The practicability of such a change has already been carefully considered by Mr Morley, on representations made directly to the Post Office by Sir John Burns, and it has been found that whatever advantage London might gain could only be secured at a great sacrifice of public convenience in the provinces or a very large expenditure of public money I have, &c, H. BUXTON FoBMAN W B. Perceval, Esq , Agent-General for New Zealand.
No. 57 The J D. Speeokels and Beothees Company San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington Dear Sic, — San Francisco, 11th January, 1894. Preferring to your communication of the 20th of October, in reference to the despatch of mails from London On the 30th ultimo the mails for the " Mariposa " were despatched from London by the s.s. " Servia," of the Cunard line. They arrived in New York on January Bth (Monday last) and we are accordingly obliged to defer the sailing of the "Mariposa" until the 13th. Had they been despatched by the s.s. " Paris," sailing from Southampton on the same day December 30th, we should have been enabled to leave here on schedule-time, as the mail of the " Paris " arrived promptly in New York on Saturday, the 6th instant. Cannot the swiftest steamer be utilised in the despatch of these mails from London on the appointed days ? We believe that pressure from the postal authorities in Wellington can bring this about. Yours, &c, J D Spbeckels and Beothees Company W. Gray, Esq., Secretary, General Post-Office, Wellington.
No 58. The Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Kesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sih, — General Post Office, "Wellington, 25th January, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the loth ultimo, advising me, among other matters, of your interview with the Superintendent of Foreign Mails, Washington, in reference to the inadequate contribution of the United States to the San Francisco mailservice.
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I have to thank you for the information contained therein, and also for the extract from the New York Herald, showing the proposed re-adjustment of the United States tariff, which was submitted to the Postmaster-General. The questions of an increased contribution to the San Francisco Service by the United States, and of the excessive overland transit-charges between San Francisco and New York, are to be brought up for further consideration at the Intercolonial Postal Conference to be held in Wellington on the sth March next. I have, &c, W Geay, Secretary H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, California.
No. 59 The Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir.— San Francisco, California, 6th February, 1894. I have the honour to report for your information that the E.M.S.S. " Monowai" did not reach this port until about 5.30 p.m. on Friday, 19th January On receipt of telegraphic information of the approach of this vessel, I at once placed myself in communication with the Southern Pacific Eailroad of this city, in an endeavour to detain the departure of the overland train for New York, and succeeded in obtaining their consent to hold train for an hour It was not necessary, however, to avail ourselves of this courtesy, as by the prompt and energetic action of the postal authorities of this city, superintended by Mr. Cooper, we were able to catch the 6 o'clock departure. As I ascertained that this mail could not arrive in New York before 10.30 of the 24th, and that the steamer " New York," of the International Navigation Company, and the " Majestic," of the White Star Company, were advertised to leave at 8.30 a.m. of that day, I deemed it wise to endeavour to detain one of these vessels for a couple of hours in order to make the connection, and thus avoid detention of mails until the following Saturday To this end I sent several telegrams, and had some hope that I could have effected this connection, but for reasons which at present writing I am not informed of the steamship company was not able to accede to my request. I am of the opinion, however, that the necessity of these vessels (which are of very deep draught) proceeding to sea at top of high water was the governing cause for their non-compliance with my request. These mails, however, were forwarded by the North German Lloyd's steamer " Saale, leaving in the afternoon of the same day, which did not reach Southampton until the 2nd instant, two days after contract date, the steamer " New York " arriving two days previously I trust my action in reference to this matter may be approved. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, W Gray, Esq., General Post Office, Wellington. Eesident Agent.
No. 60. The Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secbbtaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sic, — San Francisco, California, 6th February 1894. I have the honour to direct the attention of the department to the almost uniform detention at this port of the steamers conveying the outward mails to the colonies. I enclose a schedule of the departures of these vessels from San Francisco during \ha past two years [not printed], from which you will note that only on two occasions (in the summer of 1893}j have the boats departed on contract date and the Monowai," appointed to leave on the Bth instant, will be delayed in order to convey the first portion of mails from Europe until the 11th instant. The steamer " Mariposa " was delayed until 2.15 p.m of Saturday on her last trip, and, should the contractors enforce the penalty for detention above thirty-six hours provided for in the contract, there will be some £60 sterling due them. * * -\< * * # * * if I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, W Gray, Bsq , Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Eesident Agent.
No. 61 The Hon. the Pbemiee, Queensland, to the Hon. the Peemieb, New Zealand. Sic, — Chief Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 14th February, 1894. Eeferring to the resolution adopted by the Post and Telegraph Conference held in Brisbane in March, 1893 [see F.-4, 1893, p. 24] directing that a communication should be sent to the Postmaster-General, Washington, regretting the non-participation of the United States in the matter of the subsidy to the present San Francisco mail-service, and calling attention to the excessive overland transit rates between San Francisco and New York. I have the honour to
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inform you that a copy of the resolution was duly forwarded to the Postmaster-General at Washington, and that a reply has been received from him to the effect that the amount now paid by the United States Post Office Department for the sea-conveyance of mails from San Francisco to the Australian Colonies, about $55,000 annually is the maximum sum allowable under the statutes now in force in that country and that the rate charged for the transportation of closed mails between San Francisco and New York is less than the actual cost. I have, &c, The Hon. E. J Seddon, Wellington, New Zealand. Hugh M. Nelson.
No. 62. The Hon. the Pbemieb to the Agent-Genebal. Sib, — Premier's Office, 22nd February, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd ultimo, covering copy of correspondence between the Imperial Post Office and yourself in reference to suggestion made for securing an earlier delivery in New Zealand of English mails sent via San Francisco. I have, &c, Sir Westby B. Perceval, K.C.M.G., A. J. Cadman, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. For the Premier
No. 63. The Managing Dibeotob, Union Steam Ship Company, to the Seceetaey General Post Office. (Telegram.) Auckland, sth March, 1894. Spbeckels again writes strongly on subject of despatch of mails from London. Present mail three days late owing to long passages " Umbria" and " Adriatic." Urges you bring pressure London Post Office select fastest Atlantic route, avoid unfavourable comparison Canadian line, whose agents are alive to importance best Atlantic connection.
No. 64. The Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seobetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. Sib, — San Francisco, Bth March, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 25th January acknowledging my communication of the 15th December, also informing me that the question of an increased contribution to the San Francisco service by the United States, and of the extension of land-transit charges, will receive consideration at the Wellington Conference on the sth March. In connection therewith I enclose a clipping from a San Francisco paper of yesterday's date, being a cable record of the proceedings at that Conference in reference to this matter Adverting to my communication of the 6th February, with reference to the attempted detention of the steamer " New York " at New York City, I have now the honour to enclose you copy of a communication received from the International Navigation Company of New York with reference to their failure to carry out the request to detain their steamer on the occasion referred to, and, while not successful upon that occasion, it is pleasing to note their willingness to hold their steamships when circumstances are more favourable towards that course. I have, &c., • H. Stbphenson Smith, The Secretary, Posts and Telegraphs, Wellington. Eesident Agent.
Enclosure 1 in No 64. [Extract from the San Francisco Daily Morning Gall, 7th March, 1894.] Intercolonial Service.—Confebence to consideb Postal and Telegbaph Apeaibs. Wellington, New Zealand, 6th March. At the Conference to discuss the intercolonial postal and telegraph service the matter of the Vancouver mail-service was considered at some length. The Hon. Mr Ward, who presided, moved the Conference should support the four-weekly service to alternate with the San Francisco service. Ward's motion was carried by a unanimous vote. A resolution was also adopted that strong representations be made to the Washington Government, pointing to the inadequate support given by it to the San Francisco route, and urging that increased payments be made to support the steamship line, and that a reduction be made in the heavy overland charges.
Enclosure 2 m No 64. The Supebvisob, International Navigation Company, New York, to the Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Slit,— New York, 15th February, 1894. Your communication of the 31st January would have been acknowledged and answered before this had not our New York manager been ill, and away from the office.
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We regret very much indeed that we were unable to keep the ' New York " for the Australian mails on the morning of the 24th , but our President decided Tuesday evening, after considering the matter, that we were not justified in detaining the very large United States mail which we had on board, and the large number of passengers which the ship carried that trip, five or six hours. We have once or twice before been able to keep the ship back an hour or two for the through mails, and will always be very glad indeed to do so again, when circumstances justify it. Please have no hesitation whatever in making such requests in the future. I remain, &c, C. A. Griscom, Jun. Supervisor H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Eesident Agent, New Zealand Government, San Francisco, California.
No. 65 The Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Dear Sic, — San Francisco, Bth March, 1894. The " Alameda " is expected to get away to-morrow, being one day later than schedule time, notwithstanding the fact that the mails cross the Atlantic by the steamer "Lucania, which appears to have again taken up her running, and from which better results will be anticipated. The Homeward mails by steamer " Alameda," reaching here on the 15th ultimo, arrived in New York in time to catch the " Majestic," and were landed in England on the 27th of February (thirty days from Auckland). This is a very pleasing contrast to the previous month's despatch, and, as it was a midwinter journey, a strong testimony in favour of the San Francisco route. It may be interesting to ascertain the time occupied by the " Arawa's" mails leaving some little time prior to the "Alameda." I think the comparison would show to the advantage of the American service. Yours, &c, W Gray, Esq., Wellington, New Zealand. H. Stephenson Smith.
No. 66. The Secretary, General Post Office, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company Sir,-- General Post Office, Wellington, 9th April, 1894. Eeferring to your telegram of the sth ultimo from Auckland, urging that representations be made to the London Post Office with a view of having the Australasian mails from London, via San Francisco, forwarded across the Atlantic by the fastest steamers, I beg to forward herewith copies of correspondence which has already taken place between the Premier's Office and the AgentGeneral in the matter I should add that it is intended to again take up the matter with the London Post Office. Yours, &c, The Managing Director, W Gray, Secretary Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. P S.—l forward a second copy, so that you may send it to Mr Spreckels.
No. 67 The Hon. the President of the Postal and Telegraph Conference, New Zealand, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Postal and Telegraph Conference, New Zealand, 1894. Sib,— Wellington, 16th April, 1894. 1 have the honour to refer to your letter of the Bth ultimo, addressed to the Secretary of the General Post Office, which has been submitted to me, with reference to the question of an increased contribution to the San Francisco mail-service by the United States, and a reduction on the overland transit charges, and, in reply, to inform you that these matters were considered at the Postal Conference which commenced its sittings at Wellington on,the sth March last, when it was resolved that " In the opinion of this Conference its is desirable that a four-weekly service vid San Francisco be continued, and that strong representations be again made to the United States Government, pointing out the inadequate support given to the service by them, and urging an increased payment in support of the line, and that further representations be made to obtain a reduction in the heavy overland charges." A proof copy of the proceedings is forwarded for your information. I have, &c, J G. Wabd, H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Eesident Agent for New Zealand, President San Francisco, California.
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No 68. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 17th April, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th February last, intimating that owing to the late arrival of the Monowai "on the 19th January you considered it advisable to endeavour to detain the steamer " New York " at New York City for the arrival of the Australasian-British mails. The action you took in the matter is approved. I regret to learn, however, that your efforts did not meet with success. I have, &c, W Gray, Secretary H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, California.
No 69 The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 17th April, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th February last, directing attention to the almost uniform detention at San Francisco of the steamers conveying the British mails for the Australasian Colonies, and suggesting that the day of departure from San Francisco be therefore altered to Friday The question of delay in the transit of the mails had already received consideration, as will be seen from the copy enclosed herewith of correspondence exchanged on the subject of a quicker transport across the Atlantic. You will observe that the London postal authorities, however, do not see their way to agree to the suggestions made by the Agent-General for the colony for the securing of an earlier delivery of the mails in New Zealand. But, notwithstanding the decision of the London office, the Hon. Mr Ward intends to make further representations in the matter It will also be urged that on occasions when transport of the whole mail can be secured by the swiftest vessels, the practice of dividing the mails and despatching the earlier portion by slow steamers may not be carried out. It has been decided that the question of changing the sailing-day from San Francisco shall remain in abeyance in the meantime. I have, &c, W Gray, Secretary H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, California.
No. 70. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 17th April, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth ultimo, in reference to the late despatch of the " Alameda " from your port. Considering that the mails crossed the Atlantic by the Lucania," it is to be regretted that the " Alameda " was unable to be despatched according to time-table. I note the rapid forward transit of the " Alameda's " Homeward mails, and, for the purposes of comparison, I am now endeavouring to ascertain the time taken in delivering the " Arawa's mails in London. I have, &c, W Gray, H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Eesident Agent for New Zealand, Secretary San Francisco, California.
No 71 The Hon. the President of the Postal and Telegraph Conference, New Zealand, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Washington. Postal and Telegraph Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, 1894. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 17th April, 1894. 1 have the honour to send you herewith (enclosure No. 1) copy of a resolution in relation to the San Francisco mail-service, passed by the Australasian Postal and Telegraph Conference, which sat in this city last month. You will observe that the terms of the resolution refer both to the desire of these colonies for the continuance of a service performed through United States territory, and also to the inadequate support accorded the San Francisco service hitherto by your Government, and the prohibitive charges for the United States transit with which, in maintaining it through the now long period of years during which it has been regularly carried on, this colony in particular has had to contend. Negotiations for the proposed renewal of the service should be set on foot almost immediately, and I shall be glad to learn from you, at as early a date as possible, whether your Government can see its way to increase its payment in aid of the service. I shall also be glad to hear at the same
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time that your Administration will make an endeavour to have the excessively heavy charges for the United States railroad transit materially reduced. How heavy and entirely disproportionate these charges are you will best gather from the accompanying table (enclosure No. 2), comparing the Postal Union territorial rates with those levied in the United States. I may say that the resolution as here communicated to you is the same in effect as was passed at the similar Conference held in Brisbane last year I have, &c, J G. Wabd, President. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Washington, D.C.
Enclosure 1 in No. 71. Exteact from the Eepobt of the Pboceedings and Debates of the Postal and Telegbaph Confbbence, held in Wellington, New Zealand, in March, 1894.—(Tuesday, 6th March, 1894.) Eesolved, —That, in the opinion of this Conference, it is desirable that a four-weekly service via San Francisco be continued, and that strong representations be again made to the United States Government, pointing out the inadequate support given to the service by them, and urging for an increased payment in support of the line, and that further representations be made to obtain a reduction in the heavy overland charges.
Enclosure 2 m No. 71. Statement showing the Postal Union Tebbitoeial Eates compared with the Amebioan Teeeitobial Eates, and the Difference between them.
No. 72. The Hon. the Pbesident of the Postal and Telegeaph Conference, New Zealand, to the Eailway Companies in the United States. Postal and Telegraph Conference, New Zealand, 1894. Sib,— Wellington, 18th April, 1894. I have the honour to forward herewith copy [see enclosure to No. 71] of a resolution passed by the Australasian Postal and Telegraph Conference which sat in this city last month. The resolution refers, you will perceive, to the very heavy charges which have to be paid for the United States territorial transit on closed mails from the colonies. It is with reference to those that I am desired to submit for your consideration the accompanying table showing the difference between the Postal Union territorial transit rates and those levied by the railroad companies of the United States, and to express the hope that the way may be seen towards materially reducing the latter, and thus affording substantial relief to this colony, the one principally concerned in the maintenance of the San Francisco service. Action in this direction would undoubtedly directly conduce towards the continuance of a service which has at present the support, notwithstanding the disadvantages of excessive charges and a rival route, of a large section of the mercantile community of this country, whose wishes the Postmaster-General is in every way himself disposed to second. The resolution I now submit, bespeaking for it your most earnest consideration, is effectually the same as that passed by the same body at its meeting in Brisbane, Queensland, last year. I beg ,the favour of a reply at your earliest convenience. I have, &c, Addressed respectively to— J G Wabd, President. John M. Toucey, Esq., General Manager, New York Central Railroad, New York City E Dickinson, Esq., General Manager, Union Pacific Company, Omaha, Nebraska. General Manager, Chicago and North-western Eailroad, Chicago, Illinois. A. N Towne, Esq., General Manager, Southern Pacific Company, 4th and Townsend Streets, San Francisco, California. John Newell, Esq., General Manager, Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Eailroad, Cleveland, Ohio. Joseph Wood, Esq General Manager, Pennsylvania Line, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Class of Correspondence. Union Territorial Transit Rates.* American Territorial Transit Rates.f Difference. letters (ther articles 8-64d. per pound l-08d. 27'5d. per pound 8-5d. 18'86d. per pound. 7-42d. * Article IV., §3, Sectl in I., Universal Postal Unio: t Postmaster-Genera' ,'s Report, 1892, xii.
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No 73. The Managing Dieectoe, Union Steam Ship Company, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin, Sic— 18th April, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 9th April, and have to thank you for the copy of the correspondence that has passed between the Premier, the AgentGeneral, and the Imperial Post Office on the question of despatching the Australian mails from London by the fastest steamers crossing the Atlantic. I have also to thank you for the second copy, which I have had pleasure in forwarding to Messrs. J D. Spreckels and Brothers by the present San Francisco mail. With reference to the statement of the London Post Office authorities that the " Campania" was to resume running from Liverpool on the 24th February, and that she would carry the Australasian mails from Queenstown on Sunday, 25th February, and every fourth Sunday thenceforward for a time, and that she might be depended upon to arrive at New York on the following Friday night or Saturday morning, I notice from the time-table that the ' Lucania took the place of the " Campania" on the 24th February She evidently did not fulfil expectations, as the "Alameda" had to be detained a day at San Francisco awaiting the arrival of her mail. This would indicate the advisability of again urging upon the London authorities to take some steps to improve matters. I have, &c, James Mills, W Gray, Esq., Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Managing Director.
No 74. The Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to the J D. Speeckels and Beothees Company, San Francisco. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 19th April, 1894. I am in receipt of your letter of the 11th January last, to which I have been unable to reply before, owing to my absence from Wellington. The delay in the departure of the " Mariposa " was unfortunate , but you will see from copy of correspondence between this department and our Agent-General in London, which has been sent to the Union Steam Ship Company to forward to you, that every endeavour has been made to obtain a better Atlantic service. I have, &c, The J D Spreckels and Brothers Company, W Geay, Secretary 327, Market Street, San Francisco, California.
No. 75. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Dbab Sic, — San Francisco, 3rd May, 1894. Since I last had the pleasure of communicating with you nothing special has come under my observation requiring any report. I would say, however, that my communication of the 6th of February, reporting delay in the arrival of the steamer " Monowai, ' and my subsequent action in endeavouring to detain the Atlantic steamer, also having reference to the departure of the steamers from San Francisco, were not replied to. Possibly I may be placed in possession of your views by the next mail due. The " Monowai , s " mails, Homeward bound, as you are aware, reached this city one day late, but succeeded in catching the steamer "New York," and arrived at Southampton on the 25th, contract date. Therefore no delay beyond time-table was occasioned by the detention on the Pacific. She leaves to-day, which is the fourth occasion upon which steamers have left this port on Thursday during the last two years. w * * * tt « « -X Yours, &c, W Gray, Esq., Wellington. H. Stephenson Smith.
No, 76. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. Sib, — San Francisco, California, 25th May, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 17th of last April, being in response to my communication of the 6th February, having reference to the almost uniform delay of the departure of the mail-steamers from this port until Friday I have also perused the enclosures accompanying this communication, detailing the efforts made to rearrange the date of departure from London, in accordance with the suggestions contained in the communication from Mr Cockroft, of Messrs. Spreckels and Co., and I note that the question of making a change in the day of departure from San Francisco is in abeyance at the present.
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The proposition to withhold despatch of the first portion of the Australian mail from the slower vessels would, seem to me quite advisable in light of recent experience. Upon two occasions, at least, during the past six months the first portion of the mail has been the cause of the detention of the mail-steamer at this port. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Eesident Agent. W Gray, Esq., Secretary General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 77 The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 30th May, 1894. I have the honour to again refer to your letter of the 3rd January last in connection with your efforts to secure an earlier delivery of the mails for this colony from the United Kingdom by way of San Francisco. As the London postal authorities do not see their way to fall in with the suggestion to send the colonial mails by the fast steamers from Southampton, I should feel obliged if you would again approach them with the view of effecting an arrangement by which, when only slow vessels are available for the conveyance of the earlier portion of the mails from Queenstown, such vessels be not used, but that the entire mail may be sent by the fast steamer appointed to leave on mailday As you are no doubt aware, the present plan of sending a portion of the mail by slow steamers has frequently resulted in its late arrival at New York—the portion despatched later having arrived meanwhile—thus necessitating the detention of the mail-vessels at San Francisco for several hours, and, in some instances, even a whole day I have, &c, Sir Westby B. Perceval, K.C.M.G., P A. Buckley, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. For the Premier
No. 78. The Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sib, — San Francisco, California, 31st May, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 17th April, enclosing communications for the managers of the various railroads engaged in the transportation of the New Zealand mails from San Francisco to New York. [See No. 72.] I have also thought it advisable to accompany these letters with a communication (a copy of which is enclosed), in an endeavour to make rather a more prominent stress on the matter of competition with the Canadian Pacific, because I consider that will be our greatest leverage to accomplish the object sought. In response to these communications I have only received one reply, the others, doubtless, have been forwarded direct to New Zealand. The communication received (now enclosed) is from the general manager of the Southern Pacific Company, whose head-quarters are in this city From this communication you will observe that that company is of the opinion that nothing can be done in the direction of reduction of transit charges except through the United States Government. The question of identity of mail-matter is, of course, one which is not of any importance, as all Australian mails have an entirely distinct exterior to those originating in the United States. Since receipt of this communication I have been favoured with a personal interview with the general manager of the Southern Pacific Company, but have been unable to alter his opinion, as set forth in the communication, being of the opinion, however, that possibly the Government could make arrangements with Wells, Fargo, and Co., the principal express company doing business on the Pacific Coast, regarding the carriage of mails as merchandise. I had an interview with the president of the company, Mr J J Valentine, and although I was not able to arrive at anything definite until he had had an opportunity of inquiring into the legal condition as affecting their charter, yet he appeared to be very favourably disposed, should there be no legal obstacle, to entering into an arrangement whereby a very material reduction in transit charges could be effected, and indicated that a charge in the neighbourhood of Bd. per pound would convey the mails from the steamer in San Francisco to the steamer in New York, these charges to be made on all mail-matter, whether letters, books, or newspapers. In order, however, to secure this very favourable rate, it would be necessary for the mails to be made up in different description of packages to that now existing that is to say, he would suggest that four or six bags should be enclosed in boxes prepared for the purpose, which could be screwed down and addressed by the mail agents prior to arrival at San Francisco. The only drawback to this arrangement that I can foresee, provided no legal difficulties should arise, is the fact that this mode of conveyance would generally entail twenty-four hours longer in transit from port to port, but in view of the very large reduction in charge it is possible the Government might not regard the proposition as fatal.
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Should I be in a position to give any more definite information regarding the proposition before the departure of Thursday's mail I will do so. To-morrow being a legal holiday, it is doubtful, however, whether I can forward any additional information by the present mail. I would be pleased if you would put me in possession of your views fully regarding this matter by return mail, so as to save as much delay as possible in correspondence. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, W Gray, Esq., Secretary General Post Office, Wellington. Eesident Agent.
Enclosure 1 in No. 78. The Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the General Managers of United States Eailway Companies. Sir, — San Francisco, California, 12th May, 1894. By direction of my Government, I have the honour to enclose for your information a communication from the President of the Intercolonial Postal Convention, held at Wellington, New Zealand, in April last, with enclosures, having reference to the question of the reduction in transitcharges for the conveyance of the British mail from Australia to the United Kingdom and return. The difference in transit-charges, as shown by the enclosed papers, is most marked, and it is sincerely to be hoped that you may see your way to make a concession, in order to strengthen the hands of the New Zealand Government, who, notwithstanding the very strong pressure brought to bear to relinquish the American service in favour of the Canadian line, is still favourably disposed towards maintaining a service which is of more or less benefit to the American transcontinental railroads. Soliciting your earnest consideration of the enclosed communication, I am, &c, John M. Toucey, Esq., H. Stephenson Smith, General Manager New York Central Eailroad, New York. Eesident Agent. [And other general managers.]
Enclosure 2 in No. 78. The General Manager, Southern Pacific Eailway Company, San Francisco, to the Eesident Agent for New Zealand. Dear Sir, — San Francisco, California, 15th May, 1894. Many thanks for your favour of the 12th instant, with enclosure from the President of the New Zealand Postal and Telegraph Conference, relating to cost of transportation of mails across the United States. Section 802 of Postal Laws and Eegulations reads . "The Postmaster-General may make any arrangements he may deem just and expedient for allowing the mails of Canada or any other country adjacent to the United States to be transported over the territory of the United States," &c. We have no way for identifying the New Zealand mails, as they are carried under the general arrangement which we have with the United States Government, and their weight goes in with the weight of other mails, on which we receive compensation. Any arrangement, therefore, for transporting any particular mails at other than regular rates of compensation will have to be made between the New Zealand officials and the United States Post Office Department, as there is no ground on which a transportation company can treat with a foreign country on such a matter Eegretting that we are not in a position to do something to help you out in the direction indicated, I am, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Esq , A. N Towne , . Eesident Agent, New Zealand Postal Service, San Francisco.
No 79 The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, sth June, 1894. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd ultimo, reporting that, although the Homeward mails by the last voyage of the " Monowai" were a day late in reaching San Francisco, they arrived at Southampton on contract date. On this occasion the " Monowai " made a very quick run from your port, which, coupled with the early delivery at San Francisco, resulted in the mails from London reaching Auckland in thirtyone days —the quickest delivery yet made. Yours, &c, W Gray, Secretary H. Stephenson Smith, Esq , Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, California.
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No. 80.
The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 6th June, 1894. Adverting to your letter of the Bth March last, and my reply of the 17th April, I have now the honour to forward herewith a comparative statement showing the respective times taken in the transmission of the " Arawa's " and " Alameda's " Homeward mails, which left Sydney in January last, and of the mails by the " Arawa and the " Monowai " which left Sydney in March. You will observe that the mails by the "Alameda" left Sydney four days later than those by the X Arawa," and arrived in London one day earlier, while a comparison of the March despatch shows the time taken in delivering the mails by the two routes to have been the same. It should, however, be remembered that the " Monowai" was one day late in reaching San Francisco. I have, &c, W Gray, Secretary H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, California.
Enclosure in No. 80. Statement of Departures and Arrivals of Mails by Royal Mail Steamships "Arawa," "Alameda," and "Monowai."
No. 81 The Secretary, General Post Office, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company Sic, — General Post Office, Wellington, 12th June, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th April last, pointing out that although the mails of the 24th February last from London for the Australasian Colonies were carried across the Atlantic by the " Lucania," they did not arrive at San Francisco in time to enable the " Alameda " to leave on time-table date. It is true that the "Lucania" now carries the mails for the colonies across the Atlantic, but I understand she is a sister ship to the " Campania," and should keep as good time. That she does so seems borne out by the fact that the last three departures of the mail-steamers from San Francisco were on time-table dates. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W Gray, Secretary Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin
No. 82. The Secbetaky, General Post Office, to the Managing Dieector, Union Steam Ship Company Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th June, 1894~. I have the honour to inform you that, following upon the resolution of the late Postal and Telegraph Conference held, in this city, to strongly represent to the United States Government the inadequacy of the support at present given to the San Francisco mail-service by that Government, and to urge upon it the necessity for an increased payment by it in support of the service, and also for a substantial reduction in the heavy overland charges, which there is no doubt it can control, representations of the tenor of the resolution were made in April last to the Postmaster-General of the United States, and also to the railroad companies performing the transcontinental service. I have yet to receive the reply of the Postmaster-General, Washington , but, from the replies to my other letters, and from statements made in reference thereto by the Eesident Agent for this Government at San Francisco, I learn of the alleged inability of the railroad companies themselves to make any reduction in the charges. These replies have been duly submitted to the Hon. the Post-master-General, who now requests me to write to you asking you to communicate with Messrs. Spreckels Brothers, and to inform them that, if the cost of the United States transit of the New Zealand mails is not reduced, the Government will be obliged to seriously consider the abandonment of subsidies to the San Francisco service. I shall be obliged if you will give effect to the request of the Postmaster-General, and, iri view of the approaching termination of the present period of the service, will use your best endeavours to furnish me with a speedy reply I have, &c, The Managing Director, W Gray, Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
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L rawa iameda .rawa lonowai Mails by 18th Jan. 22nd Jan. 17th Mar 19th Mar. Left Sydney Arrived Honolulu. 3rd Feb. 8th Feb. 1st April 5 th April Arrived Vancouver. Arriv'd San Fr'isco. 11th Feb. .. 15th Feb. 9th April loth April Arrived Londc 28th Feb. 27th Feb. 23rd April. 25th April. Arrived London.
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No. 83. The Managing Directoe, Union Steam Ship Company, to the Secretary, General Post Office. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin, Sir,— 30th June, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 28th instant, advising the request of the Hon. the Postmaster-General that we should communicate with Messrs. Spreckels, of San Francisco, and inform them that if the cost of transit of the mails across America is not reduced the Government will be obliged to consider the abandonment of subsidies to the San Francisco service. This request I shall carry out by the first San Francisco mail. I have, &c, T. W Whitson, For Managing Director W Gray, Esq., Secretary General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 84. The Superintendent of Foreign Mails, Washington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Post Office Department (Office of Foreign Mails), Washington, D.C., Sir,— Bth June, 1894. I have the honour by direction of the Postmaster-General, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th of April, enclosing a copy of a resolution in relation to the San Francisco mail-service passed by the Australasian Postal and Telegraph Conference, which convened in the city of Wellington in the month of March last, and of which you were the President which resolution calls attention to "the inadequate support" given by the Government of the United States to the steamship-service between San Francisco and Auckland, and urges an increased payment to the steamship-line and a reduction in the overland transit-charges. In reply, I am directed to inform you that the payments now being made to the steamship company are the maximum allowable under existing laws, that said payments cannot be increased, and that the rates charged for the transit between New York and San Francisco cannot be reduced without further legislative authority, which authority cannot be hoped for at present, in view of other important measures pressing upon the attention of Congress and the short time that probably remains before its adjournment. The Postmaster-General appreciates the value of the regular mail communication with the colonies by means of steamers sailing from San Francisco to Auckland, and is disposed to exercise to the fullest extent the powers vested in him by law in order to encourage and promote the service, but, until additional legislation shall enlarge those powers, he will be without authority to increase the payments to the steamship company, or to reduce the charges for the transit between New York and San Francisco. I am, &c, N M. Brooks, The Hon. J. G. Ward, Superintendent of Foreign Mails. Postmaster-General, Wellington, New Zealand.
No. 85. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 4th July, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st May last, suggesting that, failing a reduction being obtained in the rates charged for the transport of the colonial mails through the United States, an arrangement might be made with Messrs. Wells, Fargo, and Co. for the conveyance of the mails at considerably lower rates than are now paid. The Postmaster-General, to whom your letter was submitted, desires me to thank you for the suggestion. He has, however, decided, in view of the probable objections which would be raised against making use of the Wells-Fargo Express Company, and of the undesirableness of sending the mails as merchandise, to continue to send the mails as at present, hoping that the equity of the case, as represented by this department, may yet induce both the United States Post Office and the railway companies to materially reduce the charges. ****** I have, &c., W. Gray, Secretary. H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, California.
No. 86. The Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) San Francisco, 3rd July, 1894. Eailroads closed. Authorize " Monowai" proceed Vancouver.
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No. 87. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 4th July, 1894. "Monowai" may proceed Vancouver, consult Spreckels. Ask Canadian Post Office railway forward mails.
No. 88. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 4th July, 1894. Our Frisco agent cables that railways blocked, and asks for authority for "Monowai" proceeding to Vancouver. After conferring with Union Company, agreed that " Monowai go to Vancouver if necessary
No 89 The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 4th July, 1894. American railways blocked. Permission given "Monowai " proceed Vancouver, mails, passengers.
No. 90 The Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) San Franscisco, Bth July, 1894. Mails via Seattle.
No, 91. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 9th July, 1894. Cable received from Frisco last night advised that " Monowai's " mails forwarded via Seattle.
No. 92. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 9th July, 1894. Frisco " Monowai's " mails sent via Seattle.
No. 93. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) _ London, 11th July, 1894. If it is not considered advisable to send mails by San Francisco service, Imperial Post Office prefers Federal mail-service to Vancouver.
No. 94. The Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) San Francisco, 13th July, 1894. American roads available.
No. 95. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 13th July, 1894. Forward mails by San Francisco service as usual.
No. 96. Memorandum from the Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Mails via , San Francisco. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 14th July, 1894. I beg to transmit copies of telegrams and correspondence which has taken place respecting the incoming and outgoing mails in connection with the railway disturbance in the United States of America.
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On receipt of the Hon. the Minister's cablegram of the 9th instant, I communicated its purport to the Imperial Post Office, and also caused it to be published in the newspapers for the information of the public. As the Imperial Post Office pressed for a reply to their inquiry as to the outgoing mail of this week, I replied on the 12th instant, on behalf of the Government, that I did not deem it necessary to make any alteration as regards the route by which the mails in question should be forwarded. I was glad, therefore, to receive the Hon. the Minister's cablegram of yesterday in confirmation of that opinion, which I immediately communicated to the Imperial Post Office. W B. Peeceval.
Enclosure 1 in No. 96 [See Nos. 92 ana 93.]
Enclosure 2 in No. 96. The Secbetaby, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-General. Sic, — General Post Office, London, 11th July, 1894. I duly received your telegram of the 9th instant, announcing that, according to a cable message received by you, the mails despatched from New Zealand by the " Monowai" would be forwarded via Seattle. In view of the continued disturbance of railway arrangements in America, and particularly in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, it was considered desirable to send to you yesterday a telegram in the following words : — " Can you say whether any special arrangements have been made by your Government for New Zealand mails going hence this week, or whether they should be sent as usual via Frisco ? " And a further telegram was addressed to you this morning worded as follows: — " Can you reply to telegram of yesterday, and also state whether you have received any newsof destruction in America of New Zealand mails for or from this country ? " I now write to confirm these telegrams and, as it will be necessary for the Postmaster-General to come to a decision to-morrow in regard to the route by which the mails shall be forwarded this week, I shall be glad to learn whether you are desirous of expressing any views on the subject on behalf of your Government. I am, &c, Sir Westby B. Perceval, K.O.M.G. Algeenon Tubnob.
Enclosure 3 in No. 96. The Agent-Geneeal to the Secbetaby, General Post Office, London. Sic,— 13, Victoria Street, S.W., 12th July, 1894. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, and in reply, I beg to confirm the communication made to Mr Buxton Forman by Mr Kennaway when he called yesterday on my behalf in reference to the telegrams you were good enough to send to me respecting the despatch this week of the New Zealand mails. As Mr Kennaway then stated, I have not received any communication from my Government concerning the mails going out this week, nor has any news reached me of the destruction in America of New Zealand mails. I now beg to express the opinion on behalf of my Government that, in view of the latest intelligence received from America, from which it would appear that the disturbance of the railway arrangements is subsiding, it will be unnecessary to make any alteration as regards the route by which the mails should be forwarded this week. I am, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office. W B. Peeceval.
Enclosure 4 in No. 96. [See No. 95.]
Enclosure 5 in No. 96. The Agent-General to the Seceetaet, General Post Office, London. (Telegram.) London, 13th July, 1894. Have received following cablegram from my Government: " Forward mails by San Francisco as. usual."
No. 97. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. Sic,— Premier's Office, Wellington, sth September, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of the 14th July last, forwarding copies of telegrams and correspondence respecting the transmission of the Australasian mails during the recent disturbance of railway traffic in the United States.
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From advices by the last mail I learn that the Homeward mails, which arrived at San Francisco when the derangement of the traffic was acute, were forwarded from that port by the United States steamer " Columbia " to Portland, Oregon, whence they were sent overland, via Seattle, by the Great Northern route through the United States, arriving at New York on the 17th July, six days late —a result which, under the circumstances, may be considered not unsatisfactory The despatch from New York was made the following day to Southampton by the steamer " Paris." The inward mails, which left London on the 14th July, arrived at San Francisco by the usual overland route on the 26th idem, having suffered a delay of some six hours only, thus justifying your opinion that it was unnecessary to utilise the Federal route. I have, &c, J G. Waed, Sir Westby B. Perceval, K.C.M.G., For the Premier. Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
CANADIAN PACIFIC MAIL-SEEVICB No. 98. Mr Huddaet to the Hon. the Peemiee, New Zealand. Sic,— Ottawa, 2nd September,, 1893. I have the honour to inform you that T have completed a contract with the Dominion Government for a mail steamship service for a period of ten years. At present the time-table includes as ports of call Sydney, Moreton Bay, Honolulu, Victoria (8.C.) and Vancouver (8.C.) I have offered to continue to call at Moreton Bay and also to touch at Keppel Bay, in Queensland, in consideration of a subsidy of £10,000 sterling per annum for ten years from the Queensland Government. I proceed to England to-day to complete arrangements for the building of a third swift.powerful mail steamship. On the arrival of that steamship it is intended to develop our service into a three-weekly, and within five years we anticipate that we shall be running a fortnightly service. If your Government will offer sufficient inducement, lam prepared, on behalf of the Canadian-Australian Steamship Company, to provide a branch steamship service to connect with each steamship at Sydney from Lyttelton. These steamships will probably be the "Warrimoo" and "Miowera," and they would maintain between Wellington and Sydney all the year round an average speed of fourteen knots. I should be glad to know what subsidy your Government can offer for such a service. In the event of Queensland at once declining to subsidise my company, it has been decided to cease calling at any Queensland port. In that event, we shall be prepared, subject to the approval of the Dominion and Australian Governments, to negotiate with your Government as to the possibility of calling at a .New Zealand port en route to and from Canada. As you are probably aware, the Dominion Government is sending by tho E.M.S. " Warrimoo " a Ministerial Commission to Australia with a view to negotiate for free or freer trade relations between Canada and Australia. 1 am authorized by Mr Bowell, the Hon. Minister of Trade and Commerce, to say that he is most desirous that your Government should send a representative to discuss with him the feasibility of including New Zealand in these negotiations. I respectfully urge that you should at once send a Minister to meet the Hon. Mr Bowell. He would be glad to visit New Zealand, but public business at the opening of the Dominion Parliament next session imperatively demands his return within a period that precludes the possibility of his visiting New Zealand. I have, &c, James Huddaet, 22, Billiter Street, London, B.C. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand.
No. 99 The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, S.W., 28th September 1893. Negotiations subsidy reopened November [see No. 3.] Huddart sanguine. My opinion is doubtful success, if New Zealand Government entertain idea negotiations for Vancouver service to alternate Frisco. Advisable member Ministry should interview Bowell, Canadian Minister, coming Sydney, as consent Canada necessary Huddart willing entertain proposal for branch service from Fiji, or, if Brisbane abandoned, for making New Zealand port call.
No. 100. The Seceetaet, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Grneeal. Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, Sib,— 13th December, 1893. I have the honour, by direction of the council of this Chamber, to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Government, the subjoined copies of resolutions adopted at a recent general meeting of the Chamber I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. S. Caeeoll, Secretary.
: j-J-Uii. uiic J 5—F 6.
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Copy of Eesolutions. That, in the opinion of this Chamber, it is desirable that the Government enter into negotiations with a view to subsidising a mail-service to and from England via Vancouver, provided that Wellington be the first port of arrival, and a port in New Zealand the last point of departure. That this Chamber desires to express its opinion that no subsidy should be given by the colony to any mail-service, either via San Francisco or Vancouver, unless the freight-charges from San Francisco or Vancouver to New Zealand are fixed at the same rate as between such ports and Australia.
No. 101. The Sbceetaby, General Post Office, to the Secbetaby, Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Sib, — General Post Office, Wellington, 21st December, 1893. I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th instant, forwarding copies of resolutions passed at a recent general meeting of your Chamber—(l) in reference to the desirableness of subsidising a mail-service to and from England, via Vancouver, with Wellington as the first port of arrival and a port in New Zealand as the last point of departure, and (2) in connection with the freight charges from San Francisco or Vancouver to New Zealand. In reply, the Hon. the Postmaster-General desires me to inform you that the resolutions shall receive careful consideration. I have, &c, W Gbay, Secretary The Secretary, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington.
No. 102. The Hon. the Peemier to the Agent-General. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 15th June, 1894. In forwarding yon copies of the proceedings of the Postal and Telegraph Conference, held here last March, I have the honour to direct your special attention to the resolution concerning the Canadian Pacific mail-service, and to request that you will be so good as to ascertain what prospect there is of the Imperial Government subsidising the service. I should be glad if you would keep me promptly advised of any movement in favour of the service. As Parliament is about to meet, you will, if you consider it necessary, advise me by telegraph. I have, &c, J. G. Wabd, For the Premier Sir Westby B. Perceval, K.C.M.G., Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Approximate Cost of .Paper.—Preparation, nil; printing (1,425 copies), £2155.
By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB94.
Price 9d.}
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1894-I.2.2.4.8
Bibliographic details
OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In Continuation of Papers, F.-6, presented on the 20th September, 1893.], Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1894 Session I, F-06
Word Count
20,282OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In Continuation of Papers, F.-6, presented on the 20th September, 1893.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1894 Session I, F-06
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