F.—3b

7

No. 10. Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Sydney, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) 20th June, 1876. Please lodge Bank New Zealand outward and inward subsidies. " Zealandia" inward bonus here, forty-eight hours. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co.

No. 11. Mr. Gray to Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Sydney. (Telegram.) 4th July, 1876. Three seven fifty-five twelve and fourpence. Bonus, thirty hours to 'Frisco, and forty-four 'Frisco to Auckland. Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Sydney. W. Gray.

No. 12. Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Sydney, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir, — Sydney, Bth May, 1876. We have the honor to state that the following port charges have been made in New Zealand to the vessels engaged under the Postal Contract, viz.,— £ s. d. " Vasco de Gama" .. .. .. .. 86 12 6 "Colima" .. .. .. .. .. .. 127 2 9 "Cyphrenes" .. .. .. .. .. 368 0 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. 581 15 3 And we beg you to refund the said sums to us, in terms of clause 22 of the contract. We may mention that all port charges have been refunded by our Government (not excepting the "Cyphrenes), and in future no such charges will be made. We observe that the Fiji Government make heavy pilotage and port charges to the vessels engaged in the mail service, and as that Government contribute nothing to the subsidy, and have their mails carried to Kandavau, we shall be glad if you will assist us with your influence in obtaining a refund of all amounts already charged, and a relief from such charges in future. We understand the Hawaiian Government remit all such charges, and we think it very unfair to the Contractors that the Fijian Government should be less liberal, seeing they participate so largely in the advantages of the contract. We have, &<?., Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., General Agents for the Contractors, San Francisco Mail Service. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 13. Mr. Gray to Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Sydney. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, "Wellington, 7th June, 1876. The Postmaster-General has directed me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth ultimo, relative to the charges made in this colony, in respect of the " Vasco de Gama," " Colima," and " Cyphrenes," for port, harbour, and other dues. I have to state that the sum stated to have been paid in respect of the " Vasco de Gama" was refunded by the Collector of Customs at Auckland on the 30th November last; and £44 15s. lOd. out of the sum of £127 2s. 9d., recovered in respect of the " Colima," was also repaid on the 31st December. The Postmaster-General has been pleased to direct that the balance, j£B2 6s. lid., shall be refunded your agents at Auckland. 2. With reference to the charges which have been recovered in respect of the " Cyphrenes," I am directed to state that the Postmaster-General is unable to authorize repayment, as the " Cyphrenes" was not only refused to be recognized as a vessel under the contract, but your agents were distinctly informed that she would be liable for all port charges. Under these circumstances the sum paid in respect of this vessel for dues cannot be repaid. I have, &c., W. Gray, Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Sydney. Secretary.