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No. 52. The Hon. J. F. Burns to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir, — Sydney, 22nd November, 1875. I have the honor to forward for your information copies of correspondence (including the copies of the telegrams exchanged between us) that has taken place from the date of my letter to you of the 28th August last up to the present time, concerning the arrangements of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company for the performance of their contract for the mail service between San Francisco and the Colonies. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, J. F. Burns. Wellington, New Zealand.

Enclosure 1 in No. 52. The Colonial Secretary, Sydney, to Sir D. Cooper, Bart., London. (Telegram.) 29th September, 1875. Will owners " Macgregor" and " Mikado" take vessels on arrival Frisco twenty-eighth October and twenty-five November, if charterers consent ? Colonial Secretary.

Enclosure 2 in No. 52. Sir D. Cooper, Bart., London, to the Colonial Secretary, Sydney. (Telegram.) 10th October, 1875. * * Can do nothing with Macgregor.—He answers you through Watt. D. Cooper.

Enclosure 3 in No. 52. Sir D. Coopeb, Bart., London, to the Colonial Secretary, Svduey. (Telegram.) 6th October, 1875. Elder's ships will be finished later than was expected. Only way to stop " Mikado" and " Macgregor " returning is to allow Pacific Company do service for three months with fast steamers via Auckland, time to Sydney 28 days. Shall I try to arrange this? Answer immediately. D. Cooper.

Enclosure 4 in No. 52. The Colonial Secretary, Sydney, to Sir D. Cooper, Bart., London. (Telegram.) 15th October, 1875. What you propose will not meet case. Australian Company want four thousand pounds in lieu of " Macgregor " and " Mikado " returning from Frisco November and December. "W c think no further concessions should be given new Contractors. Colonial Secretary.

Enclosure 5 in No. 52. Sir D. Cooper, Bart., London, to the Colonial Secretary, Sydney. (Telegram.) 25th October, 1875. -x- * * •„ -j. * * * Contractors will be unable to perform B service for three months in consequence of Elder's vessels not being ready. I and Russell have declined to interfere, leaving you and New Zealand to deal with matter and inflict fines. Pacific Company would have been ready with other vessels had they known difficulty sooner. Hon. J. Robertson. D. Cooper.

Enclosure 6 in No. 52. The Hon. John Robertson, Sydney, to Sir D. Cooper, Bart., London. (Telegram.) 28th October, 1875. We must insist upon Contractors carrying out the contract (B service) which has been submitted to and sanctioned by Parliament. John Robertson. 4—F. 3.