26

F.—3

Enclosure 7 in No. 52. The Postmaster-General, Sydney, to Messrs. Lawrence, Clark, and Co., London. (Telegram.) 29th October, 1875. This Government declines accepting C service via Auckland. Postmaster-General.

Enclosure 8 in No. 52. The Colonial Secretary, Sydney, to Sir D. Cooper, Bart., London. (Telegram.) 4th November, 1875. If Contractors not prepared to perform service according contract, cause notice be sent postal authorities, Frisco, by telegram, deliver mails due there tenth to steamer "Macgregor." Colonial Secretary.

Enclosure 9 in No. 52. Sir D. Cooper, London, to the Colonial Secretary, Sydney. (Telegram.) 6th November, 1875. Served Mail Contractors with notice as you directed. Both Contractors claim to carry October mails from Frisco on tenth. Post Office requested to know which boat was to carry mail. I selected temporary service, so as not to vitiate notice, in which I am confirmed by your telegram just received.

D, Cooper. Enclosure 10 in No. 52. Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co. to the Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir, — Sydney, 10th November, 1875. We were advised that Messrs. Lawrence, Clark, and Co., of London, on behalf of the Contractors of the new mail service, telegraphed to you on 27th ultimo that the Contractors were not ready to begin the B service in November, and would, with the consent of the representatives of this colony and New Zealand in England, send three months' mails via Auckland, trusting to liberal consideration of the Colonial Governments; and we called on you to learn how far this would meet the views of the Governments. After a conference with you, we telegraphed to our Mr. Gilchrist, now in London, under date Ist instant, as follows :— " Tell Lawrence this Government might concede according to message of 27th of last month, provided New South Wales payment from Frisco only begins with January departure. Authority must be sent at once. Reply by wire immediately." And this morning we have the reply, dated London, sth instant, as under : — " Referring to your telegram of first of this month, Contractors accept proposal and authorize you to arrange accordingly. Telegraph confirmation sharp." We now propose, subject to your approval, to despatch the " Cyphrenes " via Auckland on 19th instant with the San Francisco mails, and we propose that this special trip shall be paid for on the terms of the present temporary service, as the steamer will bring back the January mails from San Francisco. This arrangement would place two steamers in the colony next month, and thus begin from this end the B service, while the B service would in like manner begin in San Francisco with the February mail. The enclosed cut from the Times will show you that Elder's boats built specially for the service are about ready, and the first of them has probably left London by this time. We have, &c, Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., The Postmaster-General, Sydney. (on behalf of the Mail Contractors). Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 10 in No. 52. Advertisement from " Times." Steam from London to Melbourne, Sydney, and New Zealand.—The magnificent new steamships " Zealandia" and " Australia," of 3,000 tons register, now being completed in the Clyde by the eminent builders Messrs. John Elder and Co., for the Sydney, New Zealand, and San Francisco Mail Service, will be despatched from London in November and December next respectively. These fine steamers are fitted with every scientific appliance. They are bound to speed under Government contract, and are expected to make the passage to Melbourne within forty-three days. The state-rooms are spacious and well ventilated, and will be found second to none in luxury and comfort. For freight or passage apply in Leith to Donald R. Macgreger and Co., or in London to Lawrence, Clark, and Co., Windsor Chambers, Great St. Helens, E.C.