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increased payment demanded by the United States Post Office for trans-continental conveyance of the colonial mails, and of the proposal of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury thereupon. My letter to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, of the '2nd May, will no doubt also have been referred to you, and informed you that my Lords, on further consideration, decided to withdraw that proposal. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Walter, Keotaway, Wellington. (for the Agent-General, and in his absence).

No. 6. Mr. Lambton to the Seceetaet, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— Sydney, 29th June, 1876. I am directed to forward herewith, for the information of the Postmaster-General of New Zealand, copy of a communication which has been received from Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., of this city, conveying an extract from a report by Captain Cargill, of steamship " Australia," as to tho grounding of that vessel at Port Chalmers, and to the unfitness of the channel there for ships of her magnitude. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Secretary.

Enclosure in No. G. Messrs. Gilciieist, Watt, and Co., Sydney, to the Postmastee-Geiteeal, Sydney. Sic,— Sydney, 20th June, 1876. We have tho honor to send extract from a letter received by us from Captain Cargill, of Royal Mail steamship " Australia," as under. "Auckland, sth June, 1876. "As you are aware, the ' Australia' took the ground about three-quarters of a mile inside Port Chalmers bar, and remained for three hours, but was got off without damage. Had she remained a tide, which there was every probability of, it might have been a very serious thing. The channel has some sharp turns, and is so narrow that it is quite unfit for a ship like the " Australia," unless assisted by tugs, and then only in daylight. Besides, when the ship was moored, she touched the ground several times in swinging. Considerable expense was incurred for towage, but this Mr. Driver hopes to get back from the Government. " On account of the tide, we had to go outside at 10 a.m., and wait until 5 p.m. for the mails and passengers. There being a strong north-east wind, with high sea, we had great difficulty in getting them ou board." We have, &c., Gilchrist, Watt, axd Co., General Agents for tho Contractors, San Francisco Mail Service. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Sydney.

No. 7. Mr. Geat to the Ciiaibmait, Californian Mail Service Committee. Sin,— General Post Office, Wellington, 20th July, 1876. By direction of the Postmaster-General, I have the honor to forward, for the information of the Committee, copy of a letter from the Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney, covering an extract from a report by Captain Cargill, of the s.s. "Australia," addressed to Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., in connection with the grounding of that vessel when entering Port Chalmers in May last. I have, <&c, The Chairman, Californiau Mail Service Committee, W. Geat, Parliament Buildings. Secretary.

No. 8. Mr. Geat to the Seceetaet, General Post Office, Sydney, Sib — General Post Office, Wellington, 21st July, 187 G. I have the honor, by direction of the Postmaster-General, to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 29th ultimo, forwarding copy of a letter from Messrs. Gilchrisfc, Watt, and Co., of your city, covering an extract from a report by Captain Cargill, of the steamship " Australia," in connection with the grounding of that vessel when entering Port Chalmers on the 27th May last. I have, &c, W. Geat, The Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. Secretary.