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Enclosure 2 in No. 20. The Agent-Genebal to Messrs. John Mackeell and Co. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Gentlemen, — 14th January, 1879. We approve of your telegraphing to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, as proposed in your letter of yesterday to the Agent-General for New South AVales, in order to enable him to reply more definitely than is at present possible to a telegram from his Government, dated Sydney, Bth instant:—" Has modified contract Pacific Mail Service been executed? " We are, Ac, William Foester, Agent-General for New South Wales. Julius Vogel, Messrs. John Mackrell and Co., London. Agent-General for New Zealand.

Enclosure 3 in No. 20. Messrs. JonN Mackeell and Co. to the Agents-Geneeal for New Zealand and New South Wales. 21, Cannon Street, London, 14th January, 1879. Gentlemen, — Pacific Mail Contract. AYe subjoin a copy of a letter we have this morning received from our agents in New York. We have written to Messrs. Elder and Co.'s solicitors. Your letter of to-day's date is just to hand. Shall we delay sending by cable as instructed ? AYe have, Ac, The Agents-General for New Zealand and John Mackeell and Co. New South AVales, London.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 3 in No. 20. Messrs. Foster and Thomson to Messrs. John Mackeell and Co. Deae Sies,— 69, Wall Street, New York, 4th January, 1879. We are informed by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company that the new mail contract and bond are now in the hands of their lawyers, who have not yet reported to the Company. The Company is also awaiting the arrival of a letter from Messrs. John Elder and Co. in regard to the surety. As soon as anything definite is heard from the Compauy we will notify you. AYe have, Ac, Messrs. John Mackrell and Co., London. Fosteb and Thomson.

Enclosure 4 in No. 20. Minute of the Agent-Geneeal for New Zealand to the Agent-Genebal for New South AVales. Me. Forster, —It might be desirable to vary the words, but I think Mr. Mackrell should be instructed to cable iv a manner showing that we press for early action, and are not content with their indefinite delay. 15th January, 1879. J. Vogel.

Enclosure 5 in No. 20. The Agents-General to Messrs. John Mackeell and Co. 7, Westminster Chambers, A Tictoria Street, Loudon, S.W., Gentlemen, — 15th January, 1879. In reply to your letter of yesterday, relative to the Pacific Mail Contract, we still think it desirable that you should cable to the Company in such a manner as to show that we press for early action, and that we are not content with the present indefinite delay. AYe are, Ac, AVILLIAM FOESTEE, Agent-General forNNcrw r South Wales. Julius Vogel, Messrs. John Mackrell and Co. Agent-General for New Zealand.

Enclosure 6 in No. 20. Messrs. John Mackeell and Co. to the Agents-Geneeal for New Zealand aud New South Wales. 21, Cannon Street, London, 22nd January, 1879. Dear Sirs, — Mail Contract, Iv compliance with your instructions, we forwarded to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company a cablegram as follows : —" Colonial Governments not content present indefinite delay settling contract, AVish matter completed ; when can you complete ?" but we have not received any reply.