F.—4a

18

No. 25. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Postmastee-General, Wellington. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib— 26th July, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter enclosing power of attorney to enable me to give a release to Cunningham and others on payment of the agreed commutation. lam not able to particularize your letter, as immediately on its receipt I took it to Mr. Mackrell to consult him about it, and left it in his hands. I was, of course, anxious to got the money without delay, but I regret to say that, owing to the power of attorney from the Government of New South Wales uot having arrived, the money cannot yet be obtained. I hope the document from New South Wales will shortly arrive. I have, &c, Jttlips Vogel, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Agent-General.

Fide No. 34, F.—4.

No. 26. The Hon. Geobge McLean to the Postmastee-General, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th September, 1877. On what date did you send Agent-General power of attorney re Cunningham compromise? It had not reached London July 26. The Postmaster-General, Sydney. Geokge McLean.

No. 27. The Postmasteb-Genebal, Sydney, to the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 12th September, 1877. On twenty-ninth June power of attorney was sent from Sydney. Postmastee- Geneeal, The Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sydney.

No. 28. Mr. Geay to the Chief Postmasteb, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 13th August, 1877. Please inquire inform me why " Australia " did not call at Honolulu. The Chief Postmaster, Auckland. W. Gray.

No. 29. Mr. Biss to the Secbetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir — Chief Post Office, Auckland, 13th August, 1877. Adverting to your telegram of this day's date with reference to the reason why the mail Bteamer " Australia " did not call at Honolulu on her last voyage from San Francisco to Auckland, I have now the honor to forward to you the enclosed letter from Messrs. Owen and Graham, explaining the cause. I have, &c, S. B. Biss, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Chief Postmaster.

Enclosure in No. 29. Messrs. Owen and G-eaham to the Chief Postmaster, Auckland. Deae Sib, — Auckland, 13th August, 1877. In reply to your memorandum I beg to advise you, in terms of the Pacific Mail Company's Agents, the reasons why the s.s. "Australia" omitted to call at Honolulu. Letter under date of 18th July reads as follows:— "We send the steamer 'Australia' to-day with orders to sail direct for the port of Auckland, omitting Honolulu. " The Hawaiian Legislature at their session of 1876 appropriated the sum of §20,000 for the encouragement of steam communication with the Islands. That was intended by the Legislature to be paid to this Company. A Committee was appointed, with discretionary powers, to disburse this money. As we regard this matter, this Committee, instead of obeying the well-understood desire of the framers of the law, and paying the amount to us, has seen fit to decline to do so unless we establish another line