F.—4a,

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" I suppose Mr. De Bussehe's settlement is on a claim of £25,000. Will you please inform me if it is so? " I have, Ac, " Messrs. Foster "and.Thomson." Edwaed Cunningham. And have cabled you this morning as follows : — " Cunningham settled. Get Colonial Governments to forward releases to Forbes and Cunningham, and assignment De Bussche claim, to London forthwith." The terms are that you retain amount already paid under De Bussehe's composition out of the next payment, retain £200 sterling for our charge, and transfer all the remaining instalments, subject to the payment to us of £200, to Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Forbes. As Mr. Cunningham requires release from the Colonial Governments, we cabled you this morning to procure them forthwith, and have them sent to London. Mr. Cunningham declines to pay over the money until he receives releases, but will send drafts to Messrs. Baring Brothers and Co., on themselves, at sixty days', who will deliver their acceptance for £10,000 sterling, or pay over the money in exchange for the releases and the assignment of the claim against De Bussche. These papers should arrive in London about the date of the maturity of the bill of exchange on Barings. We expect to receive, and forward by steamer of 19th, copies of instructions to Messrs. Baring from Mr. Cunningham. We have, &c, Messrs. Mackrell and Co., London. Fostee and Thomson.

No. 15. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. 7 Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib— 10th May, 1877, In continuation of my letter of 4th April, on the subject of the day of despatch of the New Zealand mail from London, I have the honor to inform you that, having learned that Messrs. Inman would not have a steamer available for carrying the New Zealand mails, which should be made up in London on the 31st May, I waited on the Secretary of the General Post Office, and was gratified to learn that arrangements had been already made by the Postmaster-General with the White Star line, for the performance of that particular service. I at once informed the Agent-General for New South Wales and the agents for the Pacific Company. I understand that, owing to the reduced Atlantic trade, the principal steam companies have entered into a species of agreement not to run their boats more frequently than a certain number of specified times in a period of so many weeks. It is, I believe, owing to this that the Inmau Company has not a boat on Thursday, the 31st May. I gathered from Mr. Tilley that when the luman Company has not a boat on Thursday for our mails, the White Star Company, in all probability, will do the service. This points to a settled arrangement, although it depends more on an understanding than a contract. I bring the matter before you, as you will be glad to find that the Post Office is making exertions to continue to send the San Francisco mails for the colonies by fast boats on Thursdays. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Postmaster-General, Wellington. Agent-General.

1877. F. 4. No. 168.

Enclosure 1 in No. 15. Sir J. Vogel to the Agent-Genebal, New South Wales. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,- 7th May, 1877. As I was informed that Messrs. Inman and Co. did not propose to run a steamer which would be available for carrying our mails on the 31st May, I lost no time in calling on Mr. Tilley, at the Post Office, to ascertain what course it was proposed to adopt. I learnt with pleasure that the Post Office had already communicated with the White Star line, and that that Company have agreed to perform the service. Ido myself the honor to give you the information, as I think you will be pleased, not only to know that the next mail is duly provided for, but also to receive this evidence of the desire of the Post Office to keep up communication by a Thursday fast boat. 1 have, &c, The Agent-General for New South Wales, Julius Vogel, 3, Westminster Chambers. Agent-General for New Zealand.

Enclosure 2 in No. 15. Sir J. Vogel to Messrs. Lawrence, Claek, and Co. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Gentlemen, 7th May, 1877. I have much pleasure in informing you that I have this day seen Mr. Tilley, and learned