E.—4.

1878. NEW ZEALAND. SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE (FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO). (In Continuation of Papers presented on the 6th December, 1877.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Mr. Lambton to the Secbetaex, General Post Office, Wellington. SlE > — Sydney, 21st November, 1877. In reply to the request contained in your letter, dated the 24th ultimo (F.-4b., 1877, No. 14), I have the honor to forward herewith a statement, giving full particulars of the items for law costs, telegrams, &c, which make up the amount of £99 14s. 6d. debited to New Zealand in the statement of account furnished to you in my letter dated the 13th of June last. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Secretary.

Enclosure in No. 1. Particexaes of Law Costs, Cablegrams, &c, in connection with the San Francisco Mail Service* paid by New South Wales. Crown Solicitors' costs in taking counsel's opinion re Hall and £ s. d. £ s. d. Forbes' Contract, in August, 1874 ... ... ... 5 10 0 Crown Solicitors' costs, &c, second payment ... ... 5 10 0 Australasian Steam Navigation Company, for cablegrams in connection with steamship " Macgregor " bringing on the mails from San Francisco for New Zealand and New South Wales, from 3rd to 10th November, 1875 ... ... ... ... 41 510 Gilchrist, Watt and Co., cablegrams in connection with the New Pacific Mail Service, from 26th October to Ist November, 1875 ... ... ... ... ... ... 40 0 4 Australasian Steam Navigation Company, demurrage of steamship " City of Melbourne " at San Francisco, in March, 1875, in excess of time allowed per agreement, one day at £3,000 per lunar month ... ... ... ... ... 107 2 10 199 9 0 New South Wales, one-half ... ... ... ... 99 14 6 New Zealand, one-half ... ... ... .., ... 99 14 6 E. A. N., General Post Office, Sydney, 16th November, 1877. Accountant.

No. 2. Mr. Gbay to the Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. Sib, — G-eneral Post Office, "Wellington, 12th December, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 21st ultimo, in reply to mine of the 24th of October last, enclosing a statement, giving full particulars of the items for law costs, telegrams, &c, which make up the amount of £99 14s. 6d. debited to this colony in the statement of account forwarded from your office on the 13th of Juno last, and, in reply, I am directed to inform you that the Postmaster-General is of opinion the claim for law charges should not have been made against this Department. Legal opinions obtained in this colony in connection with the San Francisco Service have not formed a matter of account between the two Governments. As I—E. 4.