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1904. NEW ZEALAND.
OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-6b, presented on the 3rd November, 1903.]
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.
INDEX. Contract with the Oceanic Company, &c. San Peancisco Mail-service— ' p Accommodation for Mails on Mail-steamers, 7, 45, 46. Agreement renewing Service, 17 18 24-27 Arrival of Mail-steamers at Auckland (time of), 30, 31. Conveyance of Mails, Auckland-Sydney (payment for), 1, 4, 5. Conveyance of Mails for other Administrations: Fiji, 1, 4; New South Wales 2 3 • Victoria, 1, 4; other States, 3. Departure (time-table) of Mail-steamers from Auckland 6 so' Fanning Island, 19-23 (76-79). Interval between Arrival and Departure to permit of answers by next Mail, 14. Resolutions for renewal of service, House of Representatives, 8-16, 98 Time-table extended, 12, 13 ........ n o Incidents of United States and Atlantic Transit, &c. Arrival at San Francisco, Delay in, 36, 41, 42, 45, 46; claim for Delay in, 55, 56. Delay overland 36 Departure (time of) of Mail-steamers from San Francisco, 29-31. Despatch from New York 28' 36* 37, 44, 47, 50. Detaining Mail-steamer at San Francisco, 48, 52 ; claim for Payment' 59-56' Detention of inward British Mails at San Francisco, 30. Expediting San Francisco despatch 49' Fumigating, 32-35, 38-40, 43. Railway Time-tables, United States, 51 .. .. .. ' ..' 7-14 Vancouver Sebvice— Canadian-French Service of Maritime Transport Company, 67, 70. Carriage New Zealand Mails Cost of 62, 63 ; from Canada, 62, 63. Contributions to cost by contracting States, 71-73. Fanning Island (19-23), 76-79. Fiji trip altered, throwing out Vancouver running, 68, 69. Non-contracting States using service (cost of), 71-73. Renewal, 58-61, 66, 74, 75. Resolutions, House of Representatives, 8. Tenders and conditions, Advertisement for, 64, 65. Withdrawal of " Miowera" ■ temporary stoppage of Service, 57 .. .. .. .. ~ ~ ' 15-19 Australia-Suez Services— New Zealand Mails not connecting at Sydney, 82, 85. Number of Hours, Australia-United Kingdom 80, 81. Proposed alteration New Zealand-Sydney Time-table, 83-88. Tenders for Services Advertisement, and Conditions, 64, 65 .. .. .. .. .. .. ' 20-21 South African Service— Particulars, 89-92 .......... oo Interprovincial Service— Coastal delay, 96, 97. Daily Service, Onehunga-New Plymouth, 93, 100; arrangements in consequence 94, 95. Reduction in Subsidy, 99-105. Renewal with Union Company, 16, 99, 102-105 Special Train from Lyttelton, 96 .. .. .. .. .. t _ _ _ 23-26
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SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.
CONTRACT WITH THE OCEANIC COMPANY, ETC.
No. 1. Messrs. Hendbeson and Macpablane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, "Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), - _ Auckland, 24th June, 1903. ' We have the honour to refer to your letter of the 12th December, 1902 [No. 63, F.-6 1903], which enclosed copy of a letter from the Deputy Postmaster-General, Melbourne, stating that he sum of £1,641 16s! 3d. has been credited your Department on account of the conveyance, of Victorian mail-matter by the San Francisco mail-service for the year ended .he 30th June, 1902. Our San Francisco office, referring to the above amount, request us to advise them whether it includes payment for Fijian correspondence; and, if not, when a settlement may be expected. Tour letter of the 17th September, dealing with the same matter, advised us that your Department proposed to make annual payment of the amount due to us for the conveyance of Fijian Correspondence, and we take it your statement of the sth instant [not printed] covers payment of all moneys due to our company for the carriage of Fijian mails up till December, 1902. We are also asked to advise our San Francisco friends whether our steamers receive any compensation for the conveyance of mails from Auckland to Sydney; and, if so, to state how settlement is made, and the rate paid, as they do not appear to have received any statement ci her from Auckland or from the Sydney agents. Would you kindly advise us on this latter point? Thanking you in anticipation, We have, &c, s ' F Hendeesoh and Macpablane, General Agents for New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 2. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney. (Telegram) Wellington, Bth July, 1903. Kindly wire amount earned by Spreckels from New South Wales for conveyance Frisco mails last available twelve months.
No. 3. The Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram ) S y dne y> Bth Jul y> 1903 - We paid Burns, Philp, agents for Spreckels, for sea transit Frisco line last year, New South Wales mails, £446 12s. 9d.; for mails originating other States, £386 6s. l£d.
No. 4. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. (Telegram ) Wellington, Bth July, 1903. Reply to your letter of 24th ultimo: (1.) The. £1,641165. 3d relates to Victorian mails only. (2 ) Yes • the statement covers payment for Fiji mails from Ist July, 1901, to 31st December, 1902 Statements hereafter will be rendered for each complete year. (3.) Payment does not appear to have been made for conveyance of mails from Auckland to Sydney. This is now receiving attention. ————
No. 5. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen — General Post Office, Wellington, Ist August, 1903. Referring to your letter of the 24th June last, and to my telegram of the Bth ultimo, m reolv I have now°the honour to inform you that the gratuities due for carriage of mails from Auckland to Sydney by the San Francisco steamers from the 21st November, 1900, to the 13th July, 1903, amount to £205 9s. 6d„ for which sum a voucher has been prepared and passed for payment. Future payments will be made in the ordinary course. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Gbay, Secretary.
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No. 6. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Chief Postmastee, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd September, 1903. It has now been decided that the departure of the mail-steamers for San Francisco from your port shall be at 3 p.m. instead of 2 p.m. You have probably been advised of this by the agents.
No. 7. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen,— General Post Office, Wellington, 9th October, 1903. I have the honour to bring under your notice that the Mail-agent of this Department, in his report of the voyage of the R.M.S. " Sonoma," which arrived at Auckland on the 4th instant, states that there is urgent need for the enlargement of the stowing-room on the lower deck under the mail-room of the vessel. He points out that, whereas the room has accommodation for only 420 sacks, there were shipped at San Francisco 1,114 sacks, of which 383 were for Australia, and that much of the mail for New Zealand had to be stowed in the baggage-room, where it remained throughout the voyage. The inconvenience and loss of time likely to arise from the want of sufficient storage-space is apparent. It is understood that there would be little difficulty in increasing the size of the stowing-room, and I shall be glad to hear that this will be done in time to meet the additional requirements necessitated by the heavy Christmas mails which it is expected will be carried by the " Sonoma " on her next voyage. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, W. GfiAif, Secretary. General Agents for New Zealand, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland.
No. 8. Pacific Mail-sebvices : Resolutions passed by the House of Representatives, 13th November, 1903. Resolved, San Francisco Mail-service. 1. That, whereas the contract entered into on the 30th June, 1902, between the PostmasterGeneral and the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company, of San Francisco, for the performance of a threeweekly mail-service between Auckland and San Francisco, having expired in May last, the service is now being carried on under a temporary arrangement for a period up to six months : _ This House authorises the Government to enter into a further contract with the said company for the renewal of the service for a period of three years as from the 10th November, 1903, in terms of the contract already referred to, which will be found in Parliamentary Paper F.-6, 1902. Vancouver Mail-service. 2. That this House also empowers the Government to establish a mail-service between the Port of Vancouver and a port in New Zealand, subject to the following conditions :— (a.) That the contract shall be for a term of three years. (b.) That the payment shall not exceed £20,000 per annum. (c.) That the service shall be performed by vessels of not less that 6,000 tons, having firstclass passenger-accommodation, and fitted with all modern improvements, and also refrigerating-chambers, and chilled chambers for fruit and dairy-produce. (d.) That the time shall not exceed eighteen days between Vancouver and a New Zealand port, the selection of which to be at the contractor's option. (c.) That the terms and conditions of contract, as far as they can be applied, shall be similar to those governing the San Francisco mail-service.
No. 9. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th November, 1903. Refebeing to the resolutions passed by the House on Saturday morning, renewing the San Francisco mail-service for three years, I shall be obliged if you will cable purport of same to Mr. Spreckels, and learn from him at once whether or not he accepts the terms of the renewal. It is desirable that contract should be prepared forthwith.
No. 10. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 18th November, 1903. We cabled Mr.' Spreckels, president Oceanic Steamship Company, yesterday as follows—'' House renewed contract for three years. Government asks if you will accept" ; and have just received reply, " We will accept."
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No. 11. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sic, — Auckland, 18th November, 1903. We have to acknowledge receipt of your telegram of the 16th instant, in re ascertaining if the Oceanic Company at bead office accepts the term of three years as passed by Parliament. We have this morning wired you as per copy enclosed [No. 10], from which you will see that we cabled asking the president of the Oceanic Company if he would accept renewal of present contract for a term of three years, to which he replied that he would do so. We are, &c, Hendeeson and Macfaelane. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 12. The Hon. the Pbime Ministee to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 18th November, 1903. San Feancisco mail-service renewed for three years, present terms. Spreckels has accepted. Please advise Imperial Post Office. Time-table to follow, on existing three-weekly intervals.
No. 13. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 18th November, 1903. San Feancisco mail-service renewed for three years. Time-table to follow, on existing threeweekly intervals. Please advise States.
No. 14. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 18th November, 1903. I note that Mr. Spreckels accepts renewal of San Francisco service on the terms agreed to by the House of Representatives on Saturday morning, and Postmaster-General advised accordingly. Wish you to consider question of securing a more even interval between the arrival and departure of the mails to enable letters by incoming mails to be answered by a despatch leaving ten or twelve days later. Present time-table, as you are aware, exceedingly inconvenient, providing as it does for arrival of London mails three days after departure of outgoing, and no opportunity of sending replies for nearly three weeks. Question has already been brought under your notice.
No. 15. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th November, 1903. House renewed San Francisco contract three years. Spreckels accepts.
No. 16. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Geneeal Managee, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sic, — • General Post Office, Wellington, 19th November, 1903. I enclose three copies of the resolutions passed by the House of Representatives last Saturday morning for the renewal of the San Francisco mail-service for a period of three years as from the 10th November, 1903. I shall be glad if you will inform me under what terms your company is prepared to renew the coastal service for the collection and distribution of the San Francisco mails for a similar period. I have, &c, The General Manager, W. Geay, Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
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No. 17. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen,— General Post Office, Wellington, sth February, 1904. I have the honour to forward herewith two copies of the memorandum of agreement [No. 24] for the renewal of the San Francisco mail-service for three years from the 10th November last, and to ask whether, in your opinion, Sir Joseph Ward may execute the instrument for his part. If you are unable to say, perhaps you will be so good as to send the copies forward to San Francisco for the approval of the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Geay, Secretary.
No. 18. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen,— General Post Office, Wellington, 23rd February, 1904. Referring to your letter of the 9th instant [not printed], stating that you were of opinion that the San Francisco mail-service agreement might be signed by the Postmaster-General, I have now the honour to forward herewith two copies of the agreement duly completed by Sir Joseph Ward. I shall be glad if you will have the copies forwarded by first mail to San Francisco for execution by the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company, and one copy afterwards returned to this office. • I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Geay, Secretary.
No. 19. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peime Ministee. (Telegram.) London, 29th February, 1904. Anglo-Austealian Company refuse to call at Fanning Island after 16th April. Chairman and Manager Cable Board ask New- Zealand Government use good offices get them to continue to do so till the end of May, so as to give time to make other arrangements.
No. 20. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the J. D. Speeckels and Bbos. Company, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd March, 1904. Undeestand you cease calling Fanning Island after sixteenth April. Beg you continue call up to end of May, enable Pacific Cable Board make other arrangements.
No. 21. The Hon. the Peime Ministee to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd March, 1904. Have cabled Spreckels urge call Fanning Island till end of May.
No. 22. The J. D. Speeckels and Beos. Company, San Francisco, to the Hon. the PostmasteeGeneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) San Francisco, 3rd March, 1904. " Ventuea," leaving Sydney May sixteenth, last call Fanning.
No. 23. The Hon. the Peime Ministee to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth March, 1904. Speeckels advises " Ventura," leaving Sydney May sixteenth, last call Fanning. [See No. 76.]
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No. 24
Memoeandum of agreement, made this fifteenth day of March, one thousand nine hundred and four, between the Honourable Sir Joseph George Ward, as Postmaster-General of New Zealand, and 'acting as described in certain articles of agreement for carriage of mails between the Ports of Auckland, in the Colony of New Zealand, and San Francisco, in the United States of America, dated the'thirtieth day of June, one thousand nine hundred and two, of the one part, and the J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company as designated and described in the same articles of agreement of the other part: Witnesseth that, in order to give effect to certain resolutions passed by the House of Representatives of New Zealand on or about the thirteenth day of November last past, so far as the same relate to the San Francisco mail-service provided for in the said articles of agreement, it is hereby mutually agreed between the parties hereto that the said articles of agreement shall be and the same are hereby deemed to have continued in force, and are hereby continued and extended for the period of three years from the tenth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and three ; the service under this present memorandum of agreement being deemed to have commenced with the despatch of the " Ventura " from Auckland on the thirteenth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and three : And it is hereby mutually declared and agreed that all the terms and provisions of the said articles of agreement shall be and be deemed to be operative in respect of these presents, and the extended period hereby agreed upon, and the services hereby intended to be provided for with any such modifications as may be necessary to render the same effective. In witness whereof the Postmaster-General hath hereunto set his hand and seal, and the company hath hereunto caused its common seal to be affixed, the day and year first above written. Signed, sealed, and delivered by the Honour- \ able Sir Joseph George Ward, as Post-1 j q W aed. [l.s.] master-General of New Zealand, in the presence of— W. Geay, Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department. The common seal of the J. D. Spreckels and) jD_ SpKBCKELS AND B eos. Company Brothers Company was hereunto affixed )■ JoHN D gp EBCKBIiS ). in the presence of— J • F. S. Samuels. [Seal of the Company.]
No. 25. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macpablane, Auckland. Gentlemen,— General Post Office, Wellington, 15th April, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant [not printed], forwarding one copy of the agreement for the continuance of the mail-service between Auckland and San Francisco, duly signed and sealed on behalf of the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. C ° mpany - I have, Ac., Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Geay, Secretary.
No. 26. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, London. SIE _ General Post Office, Wellington, 20th April, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that the memorandum of agreement between this Department and the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company for a continuance of the mail-service between Auckland and San Francisco for the period of three years from the 10th November, 1903, has been duly completed. I have, &c^ The Secretary, General Post Office, London. For the Postmaster-General. [Letter of same text addressed to Mr. H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent, San Francisco.]
No. 27. The Hon. the Peime Ministee to the Agent-Genebal. glB _ Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 30th April, 1904. I have the honour to forward herewith two copies of the memorandum of agreeement, duly completed, for the continuance of the mail-service between Auckland and San Francisco for the neriod of three years from the 10th November, 1903. I have, &c, r J. G. Waed, For the Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
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INCIDENTS OF UNITED STATES AND ATLANTIC TRANSIT, ETC.
No. 28. The Resident Agent fob New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sic, — Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, 23rd June, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 27th May [No. 93, F.-6, 1903], informing me that the Cunard Steamship Company are unable to comply with the request made by the Agent-General, that they delay their steamers at New York so as to permit of a connection with their steamers for the British-Australian mails arriving at New York at 2.55 p.m. upon the day appointed for sailing. I am not surprised that the Cunard Company cannot see their way to make this delay, as it is with them, lam aware, a question of the hour of high water at New York; and I always feel that every possible facility will always be offered by the Cunard Company to connect when the condition of the tide is favourable to delay. It has always been my practice to notify the Cunard Steamship Company whenever there is any question as to the connection being made at New York, and this practice will be continued. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 29. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 10th July, 1903. Received cable from Frisco, steamers now leave for Auckland 2 p.m.
No. 30. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 18th July, 1903. Referring to your recent announcement of the alteration in the time of departure of the mail-steamer for Auckland from the San Francisco pilot-ground from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on each third Thursday, I have the honour to ask what hour may now be considered as the due time of arrival of the mail-steamer at Auckland. I would like to point out that, with this change in the time of departure of the steamer on the southern voyage, the British mails which arrive from New York on the Wednesday night are now subject to a detention of about twenty hours at San Francisco. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Geay, Secretary.
No. 31. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sic,— Auckland, 22nd July, 1903. We have to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 18th instant relative to the change in the hour of departure of Oceanic steamers from San Francisco. While we have not as yet been advised by our head office of the reason for such change, we take it that successive late deliveries of the English mail in San Francisco suggested giving the extra four hours' grace, especially in view of the fast runs to Auckland now being made by Oceanic steamers. The time of arrival of the mail-steamers at Auckland is not affected by the change in the hour of sailing from San Francisco, and still remains as fixed. We expect that the mail by the incoming " Sonoma" will bring us a communication confirming the cable advice of the change in the San Francisco hour of departure, and we will no doubt learn from the same letter the exact reasons, that led up to the alteration. By the mail leaving here on the 31st instant we will also write our head office on the same subject, in case the next inward mail may not cover the information needed. We have, &c, Hendeeson and Macfaelane. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
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No. 32. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th August, 1903. Insteuct agent keep Frisco mails separate, and fumigate aboard if possible. Be very careful dealing with mails from Honolulu.
No. 33. The Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sic, — Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, 27th August, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your cable of the 24th instant. These instructions have been duly communicated to the Mail-agent, and he no doubt will attend to them. I am, however, at a loss to understand the reason for these instructions, as neither the Health Officer at this port nor others have any knowledge of any infectious disease prevailing either at this port or at the Port of Honolulu. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 34. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent fob New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth September, 1903. Has " Sierra " clean bill of health ?
No. 36. The Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) San Francisco, 6th September, 1903. Yes.
No. 36. The Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sib, — Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, 16th September, 1903. I have the honour to report that the s.s. " Sonoma" arrived at the wharf on Monday, the 7th instant, at 4.30 p.m., the mails going forward by the 6 p.m. express. They reached New York at 10 a.m. on the following Saturday, but failed to connect with the s.s. " Btruria," leaving New York at 9 a.m. I enclose you a copy of a communication from the Cunard Steamship Company at New York to the agents of the Oceanic Steamship Company at that port, which explains the situation. There would appear to have been some delay in the arrival of these mails at Chicago. I have written for an explanation from the Railway Mail Department, and will report later. [Report not received.] The misconnection again emphasizes the necessity of the Pacific steamers reaching this port in time for the morning train on Monday. [See Nos. 1 and 74, F.-6, 1903.] This mail went forward by the s.s. " Deutschland " on the 15th instant. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
Enclosure in No. 36. The Agents, Cunard Steamship Company, New York, to the Agents, Oceanic Steamship Company, New York. Deae Sic,— New York, 11th September, 1903. We duly received your favour of the Bth instant, notifying us that the steamship " Sonoma" arrived at San Francisco, 7th instant, with the Australian and New Zealand mails for Great Britain. We have since been in communication with the Post Office Department, who advise that the mail, unless some further delay is experienced, will be due to arrive at Grand Central Station in this city to-morrow at 10 a.m. The " Btruria" is appointed to sail at 9 o'clock. The Post Office will call up the writer at his house early to-morrow morning and explain the existing situation at that time, when, if we can prudently do so, we shall take pleasure in holding the ship ; but, from the fact that there is more probability of delay than of making up any time on the road, the chances are that we shall not be able to wait.
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The ship is in heavy draught, and it is high water at the bar at 10.50 a.m. Should the mail arrive at 10 o'clock it would take an hour to transport it to the Cunard Dock for delivery to the ship, so that the "Etruria" could not reach the bar before 1 o'clock, say, upwards of two hours after high water, which on a falling tide would hardly be a prudent thing to do. In view of the fact that under most favourable circumstances the connection is very close, and that missing the Saturday ship means keeping the mail at New York until Tuesday or Wednesday, we again call your attention to our previous inquiry as to whether it would not be possible to start your mail-ships from Australia twelve hours earlier than under present schedule. It is unfortunate that the depth of water on Sandy Hook bar is so limited as to make it necessary to time our sailings to meet the tides. Yours truly, E. F. Burnett, Esq., Vgenon H. Beown and Co. Oceanic Steamship Company, 427, Broadway, New York City.
No. 37. The Resident Agent fob New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sic, — Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, 17th September, 1903. Your long and interesting letter of the 19th ultimo [not printed] came to hand by the " Sonoma," which arrived on Monday afternoon (a holiday here). The mails went off at 6 p.m., but I am sorry to say missed the " Etruria." The tide serving at an early hour prevented the steamer being held; but, as the mails caught the fast " Deutschland" on Tuesday, I hope the delay will not be so serious at the other end. It does not appear what was the reason why the " Sonoma" did not do better, as the voyage was exceptionally smooth throughout. ***** Yours, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 38. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Mail-agent, R.M.S. " Ventura," Honolulu. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th October, 1903. Fumigate American Honolulu.
No. 39. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th October, 1903. Insteuct agents to fumigate American Honolulu mails until further notice.
No. 40. The Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) San Francisco, Bth October, 1903. Clean bills of health now issued here.
No. 41. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, Bth October, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that the Resident Agent for New Zealand at San Francisco, under date the 17th ultimo, reports that the R.M.S. " Sonoma," which left Auckland on the 21st August last, did not arrive at the San Francisco wharf until 4.30 p.m. on the 7th September, and that in consequence the mails which went forward by the 6 p.m. express failed to connect at New York with the s.s. " Etruria," leaving there on the following Saturday at. 9 a.m. The misconnection emphasizes the importance of schedule time being maintained, and I have to request that the necessity be again urged upon the Oceanic Steamship Company for its steamers arriving at San Francisco in time for the mails to be despatched by the east-bound train leaving San Francisco on the Monday morning. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Geay, Secretary.
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No. 42. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sic,— Auckland, 13th October, 1903. We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth instant, respecting hour of arrival of mail-steamer in San Francisco, and beg to inform you that we shall send copy of your communication to the head office of the Oceanic Steamship Company in San Francisco for consideration. We have, &c, Hendeeson and Macfaelane, General Agents for New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 43. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th October, 1903. Not necessary to fumigate. Bill of health must be vise by Consul.
No. 44. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peime Ministee, Wellington. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 23rd October, 1903. Sic, — Mails by " Lucania." Referring to my letter of the 15th April last [No. 90, F.-6, 1903] and to your reply of the 29th May [acknowledgment, not printed], I beg to enclose herewith copy of a letter I have received from the Imperial Post Office, stating that the s.s. "Lucania" was detained for two hours at New York on the 3rd instant in order that she might bring to England the mail from the colony which was delivered here on the 12th instant. I have, &c, The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. W. P. Reeves.
Enclosure in No. 44. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— General Post Office, E.C., 21st October, 1903. Referring to your letter of the 7th and my reply of the 13th March last [see No. 87 and enclosures, F.-6, 1903], I am directed by the Postmaster-General to inform you that the Cunard Steamship Company's steamer " Lucania" was, by arrangement, detained at New York on the 3rd October for two hours, so that she might carry the Homeward mail from New Zealand landed at San Francisco. It would seem that the detention was rendered possible in this instance by the fact that, although the " Lucania " was appointed to sail at 2 p.m., it was not high water at the bar until 5.15 p.m. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. H. Buxton Foeman.
No. 45. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sic, — Auckland, 11th December, 1903. Referring to your letters of the Bth [No. 41], and 9th October [No. 7] respectively, we have the honour to enclose copy of a letter dated 18th November from the head office of the Oceanic Company, which deals with the matters in question, and which, .we trust, will prove satisfactory. We are, &c, Hendeeson and Macfaelane, General Agents for New Zealand, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
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Enclosure in No. 45. The J. D. Speeckels and Beos. Company, San Francisco, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Deae Sies,— 329, Market Street, San Francisco, 18th November, 1903. We have your favour of the 13th ultimo, enclosing copies of correspondence which you have had with the Secretary of the General Post Office in reference to failure of the mails ex " Sonoma " to catch the Monday morning train from here, and also in regard to the necessity of enlargement of the room for stowing the mails on that steamer. In regard to the firstmentioned matter, we may say that, since the fast train has left here at 10 a.m., we have endeavoured to have the steamers arrive here in time to connect with it, but this is not always possible, on account of bad weather and other causes over which we have no control. We understand that a change is about to be made in the railroad time-table, whereby the time of departure of the fast train from here will be made 12 noon, though we cannot say anything definite as to this at present. If this change is made it will give us a better chance of making connection. The " Sonoma "on the present trip, for instance, reached here just too late for the mails to go forward on the 10 a.m. train, but would have made connection had the train left two hours later. We are having the capacity for stowage of mails on the " Sonoma " increased, and we trust that there will not be any further cause for complaint on that score. Yours, &c, J. D. Speeckels and Beos. Company, General Agents. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland.
No. 46. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, covering copy of one dated the 18th ultimo, from the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company, San Francisco, about this Department's representations to you with regard to the failure of the Homeward mails per R.M.S. " Sonoma," which reached San Francisco on Monday, the 7th September last, to arrive in time for despatch that day by the 10 a.m. express train to New York, and to the want of storagespace on the " Sonoma " on the lower deck under the mail-room. I note that, owing to bad weather and other causes over which the company had no control, it had not always been practicable for the steamers to reach San Francisco in time for the mails to be sent by the Monday morning's train for the east, although efforts had been made to do so. The possible change in the railway time-table by postponing the departure of the overland express from San Francisco for two hours will, it is hoped, be accomplished. It has also been noted that the capacity for the storage of mails on the " Sonoma " was being increased. The Department accepts the assurance that endeavours are made to land the mails in San Francisco in time to connect with the Monday morning's express, and is pleased to learn that increased mail-storage accommodation is being provided on the " Sonoma." I shall be glad to hear that extra accommodation will also be provided on the " Sierra " and " Ventura." I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Geay, Secretary.
No. 47. The Hon. the Peime Ministee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 29th December, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd October last, covering one from the Imperial Post Office, stating that the Cunard Steamship Company's vessel " Lucania" was, by arrangement, detained at New York on the 3rd October for two hours, so that she might carry the Homeward mail from New Zealand. The action of the Cunard Steamship Company's representative is much appreciated, and I shall be glad if you will send a suitable letter to the office of the company, conveying this Government's acknowledgments. I have, &c, J. G. Waed, for Prime Minister. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 48. The Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sic,— Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, 13th February, 1904. I have the honour to report that, upon the application of the contractors, and acting upon information from the traffic manager of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, to the effect that the through mails for the colonies were held up on the Sierra Nevada mountains by a
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snow-slide, I issued notice to the Oceanic Steamship Company to hold the departure of the steamer " Ventura," in order to secure a connection for the mails, as per copy of letter enclosed ; which I trust will be in accordance with the requirements of the contract as provided for therein. Messrs. Spreckels claim that they are entitled to demurrage from the expiration of twelve hours from 2 p.m. on Thursday, the original date advertised for sailing. I do not know how the Department may regard this, but I am of the opinion that they may be right in their contention. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 49. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the J. D. Speeckels and Beos. Company, San Francisco. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 17th February, 1904. The Mail-agent has brought under notice the expeditious manner in which the mails by the R.M.S. " Sonoma " were landed on arrival at San Francisco on the 11th ultimo, which made it possible for the postal matter for the Eastern American States, United Kingdom, &c, to connect with the train which was shortly to leave for New York. Your company's marine superintendent appears to have made excellent arrangements for the landing of the mails, and I have to express the thanks of this Department for the services rendered by that officer on the occasion in question. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. Messrs. the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company (Oceanic Steamship Company), San Francisco. [Letter in similar terms of same date to Postmastee, San Francisco.]
No. 50. The Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sic, — Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, 2nd March, 1904. I have the honour to report that the mails received by the s.s. " Sierra " failed to connect at New York on Saturday last, notwithstanding that the Cunard Steamship Company waited three hours to enable the connection to be made. I enclose for your information two communications that have lately been received from the General Manager of the Cunard Steamship Company at New York. If it were possible to carry out Mr. Brown's suggestion in respect of departure from Auckland at an earlier hour, it would in all probability enable us to make more winter connections at New York. The Oceanic Company do not appear to be able to make the connection here by the Monday morning train except under exceptionally fortunate circumstances, and the arrivals are entirely too unreliable to base any calculations upon. The mails this time will be delayed in New York until Wednesday, as there is no Tuesday boat this month. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
Enclosure 1 in No. 50. The Agents, Cunard Steamship Company, New York, to the Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco. The Cunard Steamship Company (Limited), 29, Broadway, New York, Deae Sic,— Bth February, 1904. Your telegram received—viz., "Our mails due (New York) 10 a.m. Saturday. Can you assist connection?" In reply, we would say that our ship was appointed to sail at 9 a.m., it being high water at the bar at 11.20. We had notified Post Office on Friday that if necessary we would detain the " Etruria " until noon, which was the latest we could leave the dock to save the tide in crossing the bar, missing which we would have to wait until Sunday morning. We were later advised that mail would not be due at the Grand Central Station until 1 p.m., with a possibility of a still further delay, and we therefore reluctantly notified the Post Office that we could not wait. In connection with this subject, I would call attention to my letter of the 24th November [not printed], urging upon you the importance of arranging, if possible, an earlier departure of the mails from New Zealand. In the height of the passenger season, with anywhere from four hundred to a thousand passengers on board, it will be impracticable to materially delay our sailings; and, as the American line sail all the year round at 9.30 a.m., unless the suggested change is made in the departures from New Zealand the connections at New York will be more frequently missed in future.
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In the present instance the delay will not be serious, as the mail will doubtless go by the " Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse " on Tuesday, and be delivered in London on the following Monday night or Tuesday morning, whereas had the "Etruria" or the "St. Louis" waited for it either would hardly have delivered it in London in time for Saturday night's delivery. It would therefore remain in the London Post Office until Monday morning. Yours, &c, Veenon H. Bbown. H. Stephenson'Smith, Esq., Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.
Enclosure 2 in No. 50. The Agents, Cunard Steamship Company, New York, to the Resident Agent fob New Zealand, San Francisco. The Cunard Steamship Company (Limited), 29, Broadway, New York, Deab Sib,— 26th February, 1904. We are in receipt of your telegram—viz., " Our mail due New York Saturday 1.30. Any chance to connect?" We had previously been in communication with the Post Office, and had stated to them that if the mail were not further delayed between Chicago and New York the " Campania " would wait for it. Should it arrive as expected it would still take an hour later to get the mail to the ship, which would delay her departure until about 3 o'clock, which is as late as we would deem it prudent to sail on account of the tide. The ship's appointed sailing is 12 o'clock noon, and that of the American liner " Philadelphia " 9.30 a.m. Yours, &c, Veenon H. Beown. H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.
No. 51. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 3rd March, 1904. I have the honour to refer to the time-table which you were good enough to send me under cover of your letter of the Ist January, 1901. You will find it on page 36 of Paper F.-6, 1901. That time-table has proved of considerable use ; and if you could now send me another in the same form, showing the despatch of mails both ways across the United States, I should be much obliged. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.
No. 52. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sic,— Auckland, Bth March, 1904. We have the honour to quote from a letter dated the 13th ultimo forwarded by the Resident Agent for New Zealand in San Francisco to Messrs. the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company : " Information having been received by me from the Southern Pacific Railroad Company to the effect that it it not anticipated that the through mails from Great Britain to the Australian Colonies, in the course of transit from New York, can reach this city until 7.30 p.m. this day, I therefore have the honour to request that, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract now existing between the New Zealand Government and the Oceanic Steamship Company, you will be good enough to postpone the sailing of the s.s. ' Ventura,' now at this port, until such time as a connection can be made by the belated overland express conveying said mails." In view of the above order, and in accordance with the terms of clause 9 in the existing contract, we have now the honour to make a pro formd claim on your Government for £110, reDresenting a detention at San Francisco of thirty-four hours at £5 per hour, less credit of twelve hours at £5 per hour. Would you kindly acknowlege receipt of this pro formd claim pending our communication with the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company for instructions in re collection ? Thanking you in advance, We have, &c, Hendeeson and Macfaelane, General Agents for New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
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No. 53. The Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane Auckland. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 16th March, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth instant, claiming £110 demurrage of the R.M.S. " Ventura" at San Francisco on the 12th-13th ultimo. A voucher in your favour has been prepared for the amount. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Geay, Secretary. [Payment deferred at request of Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane of 21st March.]
No. 54. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), SIX _ Auckland, 12th April, 1904. We have the honour to refer you to our letter of the 21st March [not printed], dealing with claim for demurrage in favour of the "Ventura," delayed at San Francisco from the 11th to 13th February last; and in accordance with instructions received from our head office we now respectfully ask you to arrange payment. We remain, &c, Hendeeson and Macfaelane, General Agents for New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 55. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen, General Post Office, Wellington, 19th April, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant, requesting payment of your claim for £110 on behalf of Messrs. the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company for demurrage in respect of the detention of the R.M.S. "Ventura " on the 12th-13th February last; and, in reply, to inform you that instructions have been issued to the Chief Postmaster, Auckland, to pay you the amount on application. I would remind you that in January, 1903, the " Ventura" was fifty-one hours over contract time in reaching San Francisco from Auckland. The vessel left Auckland at 2.39 p.m. on the 2nd January, and received the pilot at Golden Gate at 10.14 a.m. on the 19th, the actual duration of the voyage being slightly over 447 hours, which at the rate of £4 an hour for fifty-one hours in excess of the 396 hours stipulated in clause 11 of the contract entered into on the 30th June, 1902, brings the amount recoverable under clause 13 to £204. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Geay, Secretary.
No. 56. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sib,— Auckland, 25th April, 1904. We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, advising that instructions have been issued to the Chief Postmaster, Auckland, to pay our demurrage claim on account of detention of the " Ventura " at San Francisco on the 12th-13th February last. Your remarks respecting the trip of "Ventura" in January, 1903, are being passed on to the president of the company, who will no doubt advise us how to act. We have, &c, Hendeeson and Macfaelane, General Agents for New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, 3 Wellington.
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VANCOUVEE SERVICE.
No. 57. The Geneeal Managee, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sic,— Dunedin, 23rd June, 1903. In re Vancouver mail-service: Kindly note that we have arranged with the contracting Governments that the " Miowera," being required for a general overhaul on her return from Vancouver, will be withdrawn from the service for one round voyage. Consequently there will be no sailing from Sydney in September or from Vancouver in October. Yours, &c, R. McK. McLennan, for General Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [Acknowledged on 29th June.]
No. 58. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Geneeal Managee, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd July, 1903. Is renewal Vancouver service for two years ? If so, when does service expire ? Please reply without delay.
No. 59. The Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 2nd July, 1903. Contbact made with Commonwealth Government, subject ratification by Parliament, is for two years, expiring end April, 1905.
No. 60. The Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General's Department, Sic,— Melbourne, Bth July, 1903. With reference to the request made in your communication of the 26th ultimo [not printed], addressed to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Melbourne, that you be furnished with two copies of any contract that has been entered into for a renewal of the Vancouver mail-service, I have the honour to inform you that a formal contract has not yet been signed in connection with the matter, but the necessary approval has been obtained for a two-years extension, from Ist May, 1903, of the arrangements for the conveyance of mails between Sydney and Vancouver (under which the three steamers engaged in the service call at Brisbane and Fiji), and the payment of an increased subsidy by the contracting countries—Australia, Canada, and Fiji—on condition that one of the steamers referred to (trie " Miowera") be satisfactorily repaired and improved in order to make her equal to the " Moana " and the " Aorangi." I have, &c, Robt. T. Scott, Secretary. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 61. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 17th July, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of, and to thank you for, your letter of the Bth instant, intimating that approval had been obtained for a two-years extension of the period of the contract for the conveyance of mails between Sydney and Vancouver at an advanced subsidy, and on condition that the R M.S. " Miowera " be improved to make her equal to the other vessels employed in the service. On the formal contract for the extension of the service being signed, I shall be glad to receive two copies thereof at your convenience. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne,
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No. 62. The Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sic,— Dunedin, 25th August, 1903. I shall be much obliged to you if you would advise me whether the Canadian-Australian steamers are entitled to any payment on account of the carriage of New Zealand mails from Suva to Vancouver, and also for any New Zealand mails from Vancouver to Sydney. If they are, I shall be obliged if you will keep any such credits separate from the Union Company's postages, as they will have to be credited to the Canadian-Australian line account. Yours, &c, T. W. Whitson, for General Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 63. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sic, — General Post Office, Wellington, Ist September, 1903. Referring to your letter of the 25th August, I have the honour to inform you that payment for the conveyance of New Zealand mails from Suva to Vancouver is made to the General Post Office, Sydney, annually at the following rates: Letters, 12s. per pound; books, Is. per pound ; newspapers, 6d. per pound. Payment for the conveyance of mails from Canada is a matter which should be arranged by the postal administration of that country. I have, &c, The General Manager, W. Geay, Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
No. 64. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sic, — General Post Office, Wellington, 19th September, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that it is observed from the Sydney Morning Herald of the 4th instant that tenders are being invited for mail-services between Australia and Great Britain, and Sydney and Vancouver. I shall be obliged if you will favour me with a copy of the advertisement calling for tenders, and also copy of the proposed conditions of contract. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne.
No. 65. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sis,— General Post Office, Wellington, 7th October, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo [not printed], transmitting a copy of an advertisement [not printed] inviting tenders for the performance of mail-services between Australia and Vancouver, and Australia and the United Kingdom. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne.
[Read here Pacific Mail-service Resolutions, No. B.]
No. 66. Tne Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 20th November, 1903. I beg to refer to my letter of the 17th July last, asking you to be so good as to send me two copies of the contract for the extension of the mail-service between Sydney and Vancouver, and to ask whether you are yet in a position to let me have the desired copies I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne.
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No. 67. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Ottawa. Sic, — General Post Office, Wellington, Ist December, 1903. It is observed by this Department from the columns of the newspapers that a contract has been entered into between the Dominion of Canada and the Maritime Transport Company for a mail-service between Canadian ports and France. I shall be obliged if you will favour this Department with a copy of the contract. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa. W. Geay, Secretary,
No. 68. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th December, 1903. Have been advised that " Moura's " trip to Fiji 30ch instant cancelled, and " Rotokino " substituted. Latter vessel does not leave until sth proximo. This precludes our connecting with Vancouver mail leaving Brisbane 31st, and probably will give rise to adverse comment by business firms. Regularity in Fiji running essential. In any case, this office should be advised of any material change such as now mentioned.
No. 69. The Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. . (Telegram.) Dunedin, 25th December, 1903. Regeet you were not advised promptly regarding altered sailing-dates steamers for Fiji. Am inquiring regarding this omission. The substitution of "Rotokino" for " Moura " has been necessitated by advices from Fiji that, as fruit for New Zealand has unexpectedly increased, latter cannot carry all offering, and, as we have nothing else available, have to utilise " Rotokino." While regretting that latter will not connect with outgoing Vancouver steamer at Fiji, delay in departure from Auckland is unavoidable, as she only gees back from Tahiti and Rarotonga on second January. The " Taviuni," which is our regular Fiji steamer, is at present laid up undergoing extensive overhaul, and cannot be substituted for " Moura."
No. 70. The Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Ottawa, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sib, — Post Office Department, Canada, Ottawa, sth February, 1904. With reference to your communication of the Ist December last, requesting a copy of the contract for the steamship subvention between Canada and France, I beg to say that as the contract in question has not yet been submitted to the House of Commons, the Department is not in a position to furnish you with a copy of.it for the moment, but as soon as that technical difficulty is removed, no time will be lost in complying as far as possible with your request. I have, &c, W. Smith, Acting Deputy-Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 71. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmasteb-Geneeal, Brisbane. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist March, 1904. Undeb what conditions do non-contracting Commonwealth States make use of Vancouver service, including payment for transit of mails ? What annual subsidy paid by your State to contractors ?
No. 72. The Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 11th March, 1904. Youe cable Brisbane re Vancouver service : Annual subsidy, Queensland ten thousand two hundred and twenty-seven pounds five and sixpence. All non-contracting States pay twelve shillings per pound for letters, one shilling per pound for newspapers
No. 73. The Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 15th March, 1904. Youb cable to-day [not printed] re Vancouver service: Mine of eleventh should have stated one shilling per pound for books, sixpence per pound for newspapers. Error made in quoting.
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No. 74. The Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General's Department, g IE) Melbourne, 6th April, 1904. With reference to your communication of the 20th November last, I have the honour to forward herewith a copy of the contract for the extension of the mail-service between Sydney and Vancouver. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Robt. T. Scott, Secretary.
Enclosure in No. 74. Aeticles of Ageeement made and entered into this thirtieth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and three, between the Honourable Sir Philip Oakley Fysh, the PostmasterGeneral of the Commonwealth of Australia (hereinafter referred as the "Postmaster-General"), and herein contracting in his official capacity as Postmaster-General for and on behalf of the said Commonwealth and not so as to incur "any personal liability, on the one part, and the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), an incorporated company carrying on business in the Commonwealth and elsewhere (hereinafter referred to as the " Contractors "), of the other part. Wheeeas by two several agreements, dated respectively the sth day of June, 1899, and the 15th day of August, 1899, copies of which are annexed hereto (the agreement dated the sth day of June, 1899, being hereinafter referred to as the " New South Wales agreement," and the agreement dated the 15th day of August, 1899, being hereinafter referred to as the " Queensland agreement," and the two agreements being together hereinafter referred to as the "said agreements"), Messrs. Burns, Philp, and Company (Limited) contracted to provide, establish, and carry on a mail-service under'and subject to the terms, covenants, and conditions contained in the said agreements, between the City of Sydney, in the State of New South Wales; the City of Brisbane, in the State of Queensland; and"the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia : And whereas the said agreements have expired : And whereas the Contractors have agreed to carry on the mailservices on the terms and subject to the conditions and covenants set out in the said agreements for a further period of two years from the Ist day of May, 1903, in all respects as if the said agreements had originally been made to expire on the Ist day of May, 1905, save and except the increased subsidy hereinafter mentioned to be paid from and after the Ist day of May, 1903 : Now this agreement witnesseth that, in consideration of the premises, it has been agreed between the Postmaster-General, for himself and his successors in office, and the Contractors, for themselves and their assigns, as follows : — 1. That the Contractors shall carry on the mail-services specified in the said agreements for two years from the Ist day of May, 1903, and observe and perform all conditions and covenants in the said agreements and this agreement on their part to be observed and performed. 2. That the expression " Postmaster-General " in the said agreements shall mean the Post-master-General for the time being of the Commonwealth, and the expression "Contractors" therein shall mean the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited) or its assigns. 3. That the Postmaster-General shall pay to the Contractors, subject to their faithful performance of all covenants, agreements, and stipulations to be performed on their part pursuant to the said agreements and this agreement, for each round trip performed thereunder, the subsidies following : New South Wales agreement—One thousand and forty-eight pounds nineteen shillings (£1,048 195.), being an increase of £279 14s. sd. ; Queensland agreement—Seven hundred and eighty-six pounds fourteen shillings and threepence (£786 14s. 3d.), being an increase of £209 15s. 9d. 4. That the Contractors shall forthwith repair and improve, to the satisfaction of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, or, at his option, the Postmaster-General, the steamship " Miowera," one of the steamships employed in the services under the said agreements, so as to be equal to either the " Moana " or the " Aorangi," two other steamships employed in the said services. 5. The said steamer "Miowera," when so repaired and improved, and the "Moana" and " Aorangi," or other steamers equal to the said steamers in every respect and approved of by the Postmaster-General, shall be regularly and continously employed in the said service. 6. The said Contractors shall in all respects be subject to all the postal laws of the Commonwealth, and all the regulations lawfully made thereunder. In witness whereof the Postmaster-General has hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal, and the common seal of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand has been hereto affixed, the day and year first before written. Signed, sealed, and delivered by the said Sir" Philip Oakley Fysh in the presence of_ I P. O. Fysh. [Seal.] Henby L. d'Emden, Deputy Postmaster-General, Tasmania. , The common seal of the Union Steam Ship\ Company (Limited) was hereto affixed by us, the undersigned, and we certify that we are the proper officers of the I Geo. McLean, 1 Dj reo t ors rg ea j -i said company by whom or in whose f James Mills, | presence the said common seal is to be affixed to all deeds executed by the said company.
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No. 75. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 15th April, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, forwarding copy of the contract for the extension of the mail-service between Sydney and Vancouver, for which I thank you. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne.
No. 76. The Supeeintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 29th April, 1904. Boabd wires me: " Tell Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, Board agrees terms letter fourteenth March relating Fanning, provided applicable. Six calls only per annum. Agreement for one year; terminable three months' notice thereafter. First call September. Cable their reply and passenger-rate." Will you kindly wire above to Union Steam, Dunedin. [See No. 23.]
No. 77. The Geneeal Managee, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegrom.) Dunedin, 30th April, 1904. Confiem arrangement call Fanning Island subject to approval Governments Australia, Fiji, and Canada, and continuance mail contract, which expires May, 1905. Have cabled Commonwealth for permission, and will communicate other Governments in due course.
No. 78. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Supeeintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th May, 1904. What arrangements, if any, are to be made for conveyance of mails to Fanning Island between May and September ? I notice by Press telegram that it is still proposed to send mails by way of this colony.
No. 79. The Supeeintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Day, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 17th May, 1904. Cuthbeet says, " Mail from Auckland per ' Iris' in July is only one arranged for after May. If Canadian and Australian line call here mails will come vid Suva, but nothing settled."
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AUSTRALIA-SUEZ SERVICES.
No. 80. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th October, 1903. What is to be the number of hours for delivery of mails under proposed new contract for Federal service? If not ascertained, can you approximate?
No. 81. The Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 29th October, 1903. Numbee of hours under proposed new ocean-mail contracts cannot be ascertained at present. Probably will approximate to present time via Suez, but may be reduced.
No. 82. The Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General's Department, Sib,— General Post Office, Sydney, 30th November, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that, in a report which has been made respecting the postal and sea conveying arrangements, it has been pointed out that the New Zealand mails for Europe, vid Suez, invariably arrive here by the steamer from Wellington the day after the despatch of the English mail from this office, and consequently they have to wait six days for the next opportunity. I have, &c, J. Dalgaeno, Deputy Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 83. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 7th December, 1903. Repoeted that you purpose about the end of the year despatching the direct steamers from Wellington to Sydney on Friday instead of Saturday. If this be your intention, shall be glad to learn whether this likely to be permanent, and whether Department will be able to rely on the Friday despatch and due connection with the outward Federal mail leaving Sydney the following Tuesday. _^^^_______^^^__
No. 84. The Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 7th December, 1903. " Monowai," sailing 18 December, will be the only Friday departure in December. We had hoped arrange Friday sailing from Wellington during summer months, but on account of large number of outside steamers calling Hobart, causing scarcity of labour and berthing-accommodation, could not insure prompt despatch thence, and have been obliged to abandon proposal for meantime.
No. 85. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, lOtn December, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo, pointing out that the New Zealand mails for Europe, vid Suez, invariably arrive at Sydney by steamer from Wellington the day after the despatch of the English mail from your office, and consequently have to wait six days for the next opportunity. I have to thank you for bringing the matter under notice. The late arrival is due to the sailing-dates of the steamers of the Union Steam Ship Company, which, unfortunately, this
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Department has been unable to persuade to arrange for a Friday instead of a Saturday departure from Wellington, so as to bring the mails to Sydney in time for the outward despatch on, the following Tuesday. j have &c. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. V. Gray, Secretary.
No. 86. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director., Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th December, 1903. rw ing o to y ° Ur r6ply ° f the 29th June last t No - 13 > F -" 6b > 1903 J to my letter of the zijrd May [No. 102, F.-6, 1903], about your company providing a Friday departure every third week from Wellington to Sydney, assuring connection with the Federal mail leaving Sydney the following Tuesday, I have now the honour, by direction of the Postmaster-General, to inquire whether circumstances have arisen which may now enable the thrice-weekly departure on the Friday following the arrival of the San Francisco mail at Auckland, to be arranged for at something like a reasonable cost. I nave & c . The Managing Director, ' W.'Gray, Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
No. 87. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), blR >~~ Dunedin, 18th March, 1904. Referring to your letter of the 28th December, I beg to state that the advent during the past year of larger and faster steamers in the Wellington-Sydney service renders it less difficult now to arrange for such a connection as you desire ; and we are glad to be able to revise our offer As you know, the weekly service from Wellington to Sydney is carried on by five steamers the Manuka," the " Moeraki,"the " Monowai,"and the " Warrimoo," belonging to the Union Steam Ship Company, and the " Victoria," belonging to Messrs. Huddart, Parker, and Co., each steamer maKing the round trip from Melbourne vid Hobart and New Zealand ports to Sydney in five weeks. There is thus a possibility of delay arising at times from one or more of "the followingcauses: viz., unusual quantity of cargo offering at any port, rainy weather preventing cargo from being worked, occasional scarcity of labour, and the working of tidal harbours such as Bluff and Dunedin. Under the circumstances, we do not care to render ourselves liable to a heavy penalty for. failing to connect, but would at all times use our utmost endeavours to maintain the connection. We are prepared, provided that penalties for non-observance are not too severe, to undertake to despatch a steamer from Wellington each third Friday at 4 p.m., arriving in Sydney underordinary conditions, before noon on the following Tuesday, for a payment of £500 per trip • term to be concurrent with the present contract tor the San Francisco service. I trust this offer will be looked upon as satisfactory. I am, <fee, ' _» a _, ,»»„«. James Mills, Managing Director. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. .
No. 88. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. SlR '~~ T , , General Post Office, Wellington, 30th March, 1904 v,. J , c nollour t0 acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, offering on behalf of your company, to despatch a steamer from Wellington every third Friday to connect with the Federal steamer due to leave Sydney on the following Tuesday, for a payment of £500 per trip, provided that the penalty fixed for miscormection is not too severe; the term of the arrangement to be concurrent with the present contract for the San Francisco mail-service In reply, I am directed to thank you for the offer, and to inform you that Government does not at present propose to take any action in the direction of subsidising a mail-service between this colony and Australia. j have &c rr ■-« m.: n The Man *S*?S Director, W. Gray, Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of r>ew Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
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SOUTH AFRICAN SERVICE.
No. 89. The Postmaster-General, Cape Town, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. General Post Office, Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, Sir,— 26th January, 1903. With reference to the paragraph which appeared in the " Post and Telegraph Monthly Bulletin " for the Ist of last month regarding the inauguration of a contract mail-service between New Zealand and South Africa, to be performed by the New Zealand and African Steamship Company (Limited), 1 have the honour to request that full particulars of this service may be furnished to me. I shall be much obliged if you will also favour me with a copy of the contract. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Wellington. S. R. French, Postmaster-General.
No. 90. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Cape Town. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 12th March, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th Januarj' last, asking for particulars of the direct-steamer mail-service recently inaugurated between this colony and South Africa. In reply, I have to inform you that the contract is between the New Zealand Government and the New Zealand and African Steamship Company, and the service is under the control of the Department of Industries and Commerce. ... I enclose herewith extract containing all reference made in the agreement to postal matters [see H.-17, 1903], and also copy of circular giving rates of freight, ports of call, &c, in connection with the service. * * * * I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Cape Town. W. Gray, Secretarj-.
No. 91. The Postmaster-General, Cape Town, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. General Post Office, Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, Sir,— 2nd May, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th March last, covering an extract from the agreement made between the New Zealand Government and the New Zealand and African Steamship Company, and also a copy of a circular with particulars of freight and ports of call, for which I thank you. It is not clear from the extracts furnished whether the agreement covers the conveyance of mails in both directions or only from New Zealand to South Africa, and I shall be glad to hear further from you on this point at your early convenience. I have, <fee, S. R. French, Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 92. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Cape Town. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 14th September, 1903. Referring to my letter of the 2nd June [not about the contract entered into by the New Zealand and African Steamship Company with the New Zealand Government for a direct-steamer mail-service to South Africa, I have now the honour to forward herewith, for your information, copy of Parliamentary Paper H.-17, on pages 10 to 13 of which will be found the full text of the contract. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Cape Town. W. Gray, Secretary.
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INTEEPEOVINCIAL SEEVICE
FOR THE COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF'THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.
No. 93. The Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Wellington, 17th September, 1903. We have to advise you that we have just been notified by our head office that the daily service between New Plymouth and Onehunga will be resumed on the Ist November. Yours, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. W. A. Kennedy, Manager.
No. 94. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) .Wellington, 12th November, 1903. What are to be arrangements re detaining Manukau steamer for Frisco mail now daily service re-established ? Presume Monday's boat will be kept few hours whenever this will enable mails being sent on, the Post Office providing special train from New Plymouth should steamer not connect with express. Assume this would also apply other days.
No. 95. The Geneeal Managee, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 12th November, 1903. Will arrange keep " Takapuna "as late Monday as daylight and tide will admit. This will also apply other days.
No. 96. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington. Sib, — General Post Office, Wellington, 17th November, 1903. In connection with the incoming San Francisco mail, I would call your attention to the long passage made by the " Takapuna " from Onehunga to New Plymouth. On inquiry, the Chief Postmaster at New Plymouth has been informed by the agent of your company that the captain was not told at Onehunga that he was to go on from New Plymouth with the mails. As a result no effort was made to arrive early, the captain thinking the mails were to be sent on by train. Had the captain known what was required he could have reached New Plymouth much earlier. As the delay will probably mean that the " Takapuna " will reach here at such a time as will leave very little margin for the south steamer to connect with the express, it is possible that the Department may require to engage a special train from Lyttelton. I should be obliged if you would look into the matter, and in future make such arrangements as will insure the captain of the steamer which brings the San Francisco mail from Onehunga being fully advised before leaving that port. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. The Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Wellington.
No. 97. The Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sic,— Wellington, 18th November, 1903. In reply to your letter of the 17th instant, I beg to append the following information supplied by Captain Holford, of the " Takapuna," viz. : Departed from Onehunga, 3 25 p.m. Monday; crossed bar, 5.30 p.m. : against strong flow tide. Arrived off New Plymouth wharf, 3.30 a.m. Tuesday ; arrived at wharf, 3.45 a.m. : low water, stuck for fifteen minutes. Loaded 40 tons cargo. Departed from New Plymouth, 5.30 a.m. Tuesday ; arrived at Wellington, 7 p.m. Tuesday : against flood tide in Straits. The vessel did her best speed on the passage from the
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time of leaving Onehunga wharf till arrival at Wellington, but having to steam against flood tides at Onehunga and in the Straits somewhat hindered her progress. Captain Holford also states that, although not specially advised when leaving Onehunga, there was no doubt whatever in his mind as to the " Takapuna" proceeding through to Wellington with the mail as usual, and the absence of definite instructions to this effect did not affect in the slightest degree the matter of the time occupied on the voyage. I have, however, sent a copy of your letter to our Auckland manager. Yours, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. W. A. Kennedy, Manager.
No. 98. The Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sis, — Dunedin, 24th November, 1903. I have to acknowledge yours of the 19th instant [No. 16], and thank you for the copies of the resolutions with regard to the San Francisco mail-service. We shall be pleased to renew the contract for the coastal carriage of the San Francisco mails on the present terms and conditions. I have, &c, C. Holdswoeth, General Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 99. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Dieectoe, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sis,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th November, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th instant, offering to eenew the arrangement for the coastal collection and distribution of the San Francisco mail. Now that your company has had experience of the daily running between Onehunga and New Plymouth, I should be glad to know whether a reduction in the existing subsidy for the coastal carriage of the mail is not possible, especially as it is not now absolutely necessary for your company to provide a steamer from Wellington for the outward mails. You will recall that the Postmaster-General in 1901 decided that the subsidy payments should remain as they were until it was seen whether the daily service brought an increased independent traffic to your company's steamers, which I presume is now the case. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W. Geay, Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
No. 100. The Managee, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, to the Seceetary, General Post Office, Wellington. The Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Wellington, 14th March, 1904. I have just been advised by my head office that they have decided to continue the daily service between Onehunga and New Plymouth until the end of April this year, in conjunction with the Northern Steamship Company. Yours, &c, W. A. Kennedy, Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 101. The Managing Dieector, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sib,— Dunedin, 17th March, 1904. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 28th November last, in which you asked if we could make a reduction in the subsidy we are now paid for the coastal collection and distribution of the San Francisco mail, in view of an increased traffic resulting from the introduction of the daily train-service between Wellington and New Plymouth. Our returns do not show that the introduction of the daily service has increased independent traffic by our steamers to any material extent, but, as it has been definitely decided that the daily steamer service shall be maintained between Onehunga and New Plymouth during the summer months, in this respect the connection with the San Francisco mail-steamer at Auckland is rendered less onerous. In view of this we are prepared to accept a reduction of £500 per annum upon the subsidy now paid to continue the present arrangements for the collection and distribution of the mail. Other conditions to be as at present existing. I have, &c, James Mills, Managing Director. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
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No. 102. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director. Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th March, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, in which you consent to a reduction by £500 per annum of the subsidy paid for the interprovincial service performed by your company in the collection and distribution of the San Francisco mails. Payment to your company, therefore, for the performance of the interprovincial service will be made on the basis of a minimum annual payment of £4,000. The conditions of the performance of the service will be, — 1. That the steamers leave the Manukau so soon as the San Francisco mails are shipped, weather, tide, and bar permitting. 2. That the mails conveyed from Manukau by your company's steamers be brought on by them to Wellington; the detention at New Plymouth en route not to exceed three hours, weather and tide being suitable. 3. That when the inward mails arrive at Auckland on a Tuesday they be forwarded by the Northern Company's steamer leaving that day for transfer to the train at New Plymouth the following morning—either the ordinary through train or a special. 4. That for detaining the steamer at Manukau, when necessary, for inward mails a demurrage payment of £50 for the first twenty-four hours, and a proportionate payment for any detention over the twenty-four hours, be made. 5. That there be a steamer at Wellington to take on the inward mails to Lyttelton without delay. 6. That the due day of departure from the Manukau with the inward mails be Monday; that the day of departure outward from Lyttelton be Tuesday, after the arrival of the express train from Dunedin; from Wellington, when the mails are not forwarded by train, Wednesday afternoon or evening ; and from New Plymouth, Thursday, after the arrival of the express from Wellington ; and the arrival at Manukau early on Friday morning. 7. That the service cover seventeen voyages each way within the twelve months, dating from the departure of the steamer from the Manukau on the 16th November last, and from Lyttelton on the 10th November last, and be for a period of three years, unless the existing San Francisco mail contract is annulled meanwhile. 8. Payment, as already stated, to be at the rate of £4,000 a year. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W. Gray, Secretary. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
No. 103. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sic,— Dunedin, 20th April, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favours of the 28th March and of the 11th April [not printed], the former accepting our offer to continue the agreement for the interprovincial collection and distribution of the San Francisco mails for a subsidy £500 per annum less than that in the agreement which expired in November. I notice that you name £4,000 as the new basis of the minimum annual payment; it should, however, be £4,076. The present basis is thirty-four voyages at £134 12s. 4d., which amounts to £4,576, consequently the reduced subsidy will be £4,076, or £119 17s. 6d. per voyage for thirty-four voyages. We shall be pleased to refund any overpayment made by you for voyages subsequent to the date from which the reduction in subsidy takes effect. The following we hold to be the conditions of the new agreement, based upon the last contract and its working. Where they differ from the conditions recapitulated in your favour of the 28th ultimo, the difference is mostly in the direction of amplifying details. 1. That the steamer leave the Manukau as soon as the San Francisco mails are shipped— weather, tide, and bar permitting. 2. That the mails conveyed from Manukau by the company's steamers be brought on by them to Wellington, except as hereinafter provided ; the detention at New Plymouth en route not to exceed three hours, weather and tide being suitable. 3. That the day of departure from the Manukau with the inward mails is Monday; that the day of departure outward from Lyttelton is Tuesday, after the arrival of the express train from Dunedin ; from Wellington, when the mails are not forwarded by train, Wednesday afternoon or evening; and from New Plymouth, Thursday, after the arrival of express from Wellington; and the arrival at Manukau early on Friday morning. 4. The daily service between New Plymouth and Onehunga to be resumed during the summer months. While this service continues, should the inward mail arrive on Monday or Wednesday, it is to be conveyed through to Wellington by steamer if not transhipped into train at New Plymouth. Should it arrive on Tuesday or Thursday, it is to be conveyed by Northern Steamship. Company's steamer to New Plymouth only, and thence by ordinary or special train.
4—E. 6.
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5. During the winter months, when there is not a daily service from Onehunga and New Plymouth, the Monday steamer from Onehunga will wait till noon Tuesday, if necessary, for the inward mail, without extra payment. Should the mail arrive later in the week, and it be necessary to detain the steamer after noon Tuesday, a demurrage payment of £50 to be made for the first twenty-four (24) hours from noon Tuesday, or any portion thereof, and a proportionate payment for detention -beyond twenty-four (24) hours. 6. During the same period, when the inward mails arrive at Auckland on a Wednesday, they are to be forwarded by the Northern Company's steamer leaving that day, for transfer to the train at New Plymouth the following morning—either the ordinary through train or a special. 7. That there be a steamer at Wellington to take on the inward mails to Lyttelton without unreasonable delay. 8. That the service covers seventeen voyages each way within the twelve months, dating from the departure of the steamer from the Manukau on the 16th November last, and from Lyttelton on the 10th November last, and to be for a period of three years, unless the existing San Francisco mail contract is annulled meanwhile. 9. Payment to be made at the rate of £119 17s. 6d. per voyage each way. Please confirm the above. I have, &c, James Mills, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Managing Director.
No. 104. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Dieectoe, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 17th May, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th ultimo, detailing the conditions of the new agreement for the interprovincial collection and distribution of the San Francisco mails, and asking for a confirmation of the same. The conditions numbered in your letter 1 to 3, inclusive, 6, 8, and 9 are approved. Paragraph 5, giving new conditions in respect of demurrage, is also approved. In regard to condition No. 4, it is desired that during the continuance of the daily service, when the inward mail arrives at Auckland on Monday or Wednesday, the Department shall be the sole judge when the mail shall be landed at New Plymouth and forwarded by train. Condition No. 7 : In this case also the Department should be the judge as to what may or may not be unreasonable delay on arrival of the mails at Wellington for transhipment to Lyttelton. The subsidy of £4,076 for the seventeen voyages each way, at the rate of £119 17s. 6d. per voyage, is agreed to ; the term of the service to be for three years, as already set out in my letter of the 28th March last, from the 16th November last year from Manukau and the 10th idem from Eyttelton. An adjustment will be made as from these dates in respect of payments since made. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W. Geay, Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.
No. 105. The Managing Dieectoe, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sib— Dunedin, 23rd May, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, in re new agreement for the interprovincial collection and. distribution of San Francisco mails, from which I note that the conditions mentioned in our letter of the 20th April are approved generally. I have, &c, D. A. Aitken, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,605 copies), £15 12b.
By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o4. Price Is.]
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1904-I.2.2.4.7/1
Bibliographic details
OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-6b, presented on the 3rd November, 1903.], Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1904 Session I, F-06
Word Count
15,058OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-6b, presented on the 3rd November, 1903.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1904 Session I, F-06
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