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F.—3.

Pacific Mail Steamship Company therein enclosed, I have the honor to forward copy of a letter I have received from the solicitors to the Government. I have, Ac, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 4. Messrs. Mackrell and Co. to the Agent-General. 21, Cannon Street, London, E.C., 13th July, 1878. Dear Sir Julius, — Neio Postal Contracts. You will remember that the arrangement made with the contractors by the instrument of the 24th December, 1877, for the alteration of the mail service, has relation only to voyages carried out or commenced within this year. We learn from the Agent-General for New South Wales that he has been advised that his Parliament has sanctioned the variation in the contract. This we assume to mean not merely for this year, but during the whole term of the original contract. Bemembering the length of time occupied in getting the last arrangement concluded with the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and their sureties, and the difficulty which the Government might be placed in if any variation of the contract after this year is not provided for within this year, wo suggest for your consideration the desirability of your drawing the attention of your Government to the matter, and recommending them to get any new arrangement which it is desired to make for the future concluded before this year is up. We have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. John Mackrell and Co.

No. 5. Mr. Gray to the Agent-General. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 11th October, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 16th July last, forwarding copy of a letter which you had received from the solicitors to the Government, Messrs. John Mackrell and Co., suggesting that early action should be taken with regard to effecting the execution of the necessary legal instruments regulating the further temporary or the permanent modification of the San Francisco Mail Service, in order that, if possible, any new arrangement which it is desired to make might be concluded before the end of the present year. I have, Ac, The Agent-General for New Zealand, W. Gray, London. (for the Postmaster-General.)

No. 6. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 11th September, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 20th July, covering copy of a memorandum agreed to by the Hon. the Postmaster-General of New South Wales, respecting the San Francisco Mail Service. In reply, I have to inform you that your instructions in the matter shall have my careful attention. I have, Ac, Julius Vogel, Tte Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 7. The Hon. J. F. Burns to the Hon. Mr. Fisheb. (Telegram.) Sydney, 26th October, 1878. Since receiving your last telegram have referred to Vogel's letter, December, 1876, not 1874, as stated in London telegram, and I propose sending following reply to Forster and Vogel—namely: Concur, not necessary specify in contract more than four boats. If Company object to spare boat Sydney, fear cannot insist as no such stipulation made at time negotiations modification, but will leave matter in your hands to make best possible terms with Contractors. New Zealand concurs. The Hon. J. T. Fisher, Wellington. J. F. Burns.

No. 8. The Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Sydney, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 2nd November, 1878. Waiting reply from you to my telegram twenty-sixth ultimo, before sending telegram Agents-General re modification contract. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Postmaster-General.