F.—2.

1880. NEW ZEALAND.

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE (FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO). [In continuation of Papers presented on the 29th of September, 1879.]

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

No. 1. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Posthastes-Geneeal. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 12th July, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter* of 24th May last, on the subject of the circular telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors of the several Australian Colonies on the arrangements for the carriage of mails, the contents of which I have duly noted. My letterf of the 4th July, will have already informed you of the latest steps which have been taken in the matter, and of my views concerning them. I have, &c, Julius Vogetj, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 2. The lion. J. T. Fishek to the Agent-Genebal. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 19th September, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th July last, in reply to one from this office of the 24th May last, concerning the arrangement for the carriage of the mails, and referring me to your letter of the 4th July, with regard to the latest steps taken in the matter. I beg to inform you that I have communicated with the Postmaster-General of New South Wales, desiring to be informed whether this question should be reopened by a joint representation from our two Governments. I have, &c, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., J. T. Fisheb. Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 3. Mr. Geay to the Seceetaet, General Post Office, Sydney. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 13th September, 1879. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to enclose, for the information of your department, copy of a letter recently received from the Agent-General for this colony, together with a copy of a letter addressed by Sir Julius Vogel to the Secretary of State in reply to despatches from the Colonial office on the subject of the claims of the Colonies of New South Wales and New Zealand for a continuance of the existing postage payments by the Imperial Government until the termination of the San Francisco mail service in 1883. It will be observed that Sir Julius Vogel is of opinion that the correspondence, if reopened, should take the form of direct representations from the two Governments. I am to express the opinion of the Postmaster-General that the two colonies should still press for more favourable consideration on the postage question at the hands of the Imperial Government, and, with this view, I have to remit the matter for the consideration of the Hon. Mr. Samuel. A memorandum bearing indirectly on this question has recently been presented by Mr. E. J. Creighton, Eesident Agent for this Government at San Francisco, to the United States Postal Commission. The paper is mainly a plea for abolition of the transcontinental charges on the English and Australian mails conveyed via San Francisco, and a very strong case is undoubtedly made out. The memorandum also places the Imperial postage question in a new light, and adduces cogent reasons

* Vide No. 81 of F.-3., Sess. L, 1879. t Vide No. 15, of F.-2., Sess. 11., 1879. I—F. 2.