£.—3c

1876. NEW ZEALAND.

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE, (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO).

Presented to loth Houses of the General Assembly ly Command of His Excellency.

In continuation of Papers presented on the 18th July, 1876.

No. 1. Mr. LiiiBTON to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— Sydney, 27th May, 1876. I am directed to transmit herewith copy of a communication received from the Agents in this city of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, enclosing au extract from a letter of the Company's General Agent at San Francisco, in reference to the forwarding of mails, and also to the computation of time in respect thereto. I am to state that Mr. Burns is inclined to give favourable consideration to the application in this matter; but would like to learn the opinion of the Postmaster-General of Xew Zealand before dealing finally with the case so far as New South Wales is concerned. I have, &c, 8. H. Lambton, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, N.Z. Secretary.

Enclosure in No. 1. Messrs. Gilchkist, Watt, and Co., Sydney, to the Postmasler-General, Sydney. Sib,— Sydney, Bth May, 1876. We have the honor to enclose extract from a letter received by us from the General Agent at San Francisco, with reference to the forwarding of mails, and also the computation of time. With regard to the latter, we have to ask your especial consideration of his remarks, and wo trust that you will see fit to carry out the arrangement as suggested in his letter. We would further ask you to make a similar arrangement as regards Sydney Harbour, and we shall be glad if you will consent to a line (similar to that suggested in the last paragraph of his letter) from South Light to North Head being drawn, and considered as the starting and ending point of the voyage as regards this port. We have, &c., The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Sydney. Gilciieist, Watt, and Co. EXTRACT REFERRED TO. Extract from Letter of 20th March, 1876, received from A. P. Bacon, General Agent, P.M.S.S. Company, San Francisco. " Alleged Belay in conveying Mails from and to the Train and Steamer." " Oun arrangements are such that there is really no delay in the transfer of mails. The mail outward brought here overland is delivered to the Postmaster at the same time he receives the United States mails. He notifies at the moment it is ready for delivery to our steamers, and at no time have we lost one hour in transferring it to our ships. As soon as an incoming steamer is telegraphed, our wagons and servants are ordered to our dock, and either in the day or night the transfer is made in the shortest possible time. " While in and on this subject, it is proper that we should refer to the injustice of commencing the estimate of time from the moment a mail is placed on a steamer. "It must be remembered that—lst. Our steamer has to be cleared at the Custom House. 2nd. Our passengers have to be looked after. 3rd. Every outward-bound vessel while in this port is under the direction and absolute order of a pilot. " The condition of the tide, the fog, the darkness of the night, or other circumstances may actually render it improper for a vessel to get under way. " We discussed this matter with Mr. Hall prior to his departure for Australia j showed him the obstacles, and suggested the propriety of his using his efforts to have our time commence at the