E—3.O. 2.

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE

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hurriedly, at extra cost to the line, inconvenience to shippers and passengers, and without affording to the respective cities all the advantages which might be derived from the establishment of the line. I have, therefore, to most respectfully and urgently request you will, at as early a day as convenient, re-arrange the schedule of time of arrivals and departures in all the New Zealand ports, except Auckland, in accordance with the above-mentioned statement. I am, &c, The Hon. Julius Vogel, Postmaster-General, W. H. Webb. Wellington, New Zealand.

No. 30. The Hon. J. Vogel to Mr. Webb. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, Bth June, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated steamer " Nebraska," at sea, 6th April, 1872, in which, on behalf of the United States, New Zealand, and Australia Mail Steam Ship Line, you ask me to consent to a re-arrangement of the schedule times applying to all the New Zealand ports except Auckland, so as to allow 134 hours instead of 110 hours between Auckland and Port Chalmers. In reply, I have to state that I am not inclined to allow an extension of time between Auckland and Port Chalmers. When the steamer arrives in New Zealand, there is naturally great anxiety in the different Provinces to obtain letters as soon as possible ; and I am of opinion that 110 hours for the voyage from Auckland to Port Chalmers really afford all the time necessaiy. As to the present schedule times preventing your obtaining passengers, I am inclined to think that they have a contrary effect ; inasmuch as the fact of your boats proceeding rapidly is likely to be an attraction to passengers. Tou are aware that the Government of New Zealand have always favourably considered any reasonable request made by you, and should it at any time be proved to be for the convenience of any Province that your boat should be delayed at the port of that Province, in order to take in cargo, the consent of the Post Office authorities thereto could be easily asked. On the whole, I prefer that the schedule, as between Auckland and Port Chalmers, should not be modified. As to allowing a longer period for the voyage from Port Chalmers to Auckland, so as to enable the vessels to be coaled at Wellington, when you desire to do so, I. have already, this month, acceded to a request that the " Nebraska " shall leave Port Chalmers on Thursday instead of Friday ; and I do not object to that arrangement being continued for the present. But lam sure you will agree with me, that when the new contract comes into operation, it will be wholly unnecessary that tho steamer should leave Port Chalmers before Friday, and that possibly it will be desirable she should not leave before Saturday. Supposing Friday to be the day for leaving Auckland, a boat leaving Wellington on the up voyage on Monday morning could easily reach Auckland many hours before the schedule time of starting for San Francisco. Tou will remember, that under the new contract, the boat from Port Chalmers will not require to be coaled at Auckland. All that will, have to be done will be to tranship mails, passengers, and freight to the boat which will have arrived from Melbourne on the way to San Francisco. I am sure, then, you will feel that the concession you have asked will not be necessary when tho new service has been commenced. Up to that commencement, I have no objection to the boats leaving Port Chalmers on Thursday, provided that they also start from Auckland on Thursday. I have, &c, W. 11. Webb, Esq., New Tork. Julius Vogel.

No. 31. Mr. Webb to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sir,— Honolulu, 15th April, 1872. On my return here on the 9th instant, from New Zealand, I was informed that the Government of the Hawaiian Islands had, through its Ministry and Privy Council, during my absence, taken definite action in regard to the payment of a subsidy to this line, for mail service to the colonies of Australasia. This action consisted chiefly in the passage of a resolution accepting the line as established, and granting a money subsidy of 1,000 dollars per month, so long as the present appropriation lasts, say three years. In addition to the above, the Government furnishes wharfage (enlarging the present wharf), storehouse, and new shed to be built over the entire wharf, a convenient lot for storage of coals, all free of expense, besides no charge for light and harbour dues, or fresh water, and no compulsory pilotage: these privileges to continue for ten years, if we continue to call at Honolulu for that length of time. I have accepted the above propositions, being assured they are the very best this Government can afford to offer and pay. The Hon. Julius Vogel, I have, <fee, Postmaster-General, New Zealand. W. H. Webb.

No. 32. The Hon. J. Vogel to Mr. Webb. Sir,-- General Post Office, Wellington, 7th June, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated Honolulu, 15th April,