¥.— 2a

5

respectively call; and such mails are to be delivered as directed at the ports of arrival respectively, and at any other ports in New Zealand at which the whips shall call, and if so required mails are to be carried between any of the New Zealand ports which the ships respectively shall enter. The Contractors are to receive and deliver the mails at and to the shore at convenient places, to be appointed by either of the Postmasters-G-eneral in the respective ports. The ships must be provided with convenient fire-proof and vermin-proof places of deposit for the mails, with locks, keys, and secure fastenings, to be approved by the respective Postmasters-G-eneral. The Contractors are to provide the necessary lights and accommodation for sorting and making up the mails on board, with, if required, a separate and convenient room for the purpose, and must render any assistance required respecting the mails by the officer in charge thereof. The Postmasters-General are to be at liberty to intrust the custody of the mails to the master or commander of any ship, and in case of the officer in charge of the mails being absent the master or commander is to take them in charge, and the Contractors are to be responsible for the receipt, safe custody, recovery, and delivery of the mails. All directions of the officers in charge of the mails are to be attended to, so far as the same are reasonable and consistent with the safety of the vessel. The Contractors are to have no claim for postage. A suitable first-class accommodation for a mail officer or agent is to be provided on board the ships, and such officers or agents are to be victualled by the Contractors as chief-cabin passengers without charge, and during the time a ship may stay at any port such officers or agents are to be allowed to remain on board, and are to be victualled by the Contractors. As to the Conveyance, etc., of Caego. "Cargo," "delivery of cargo," "ordinary deadweight," and "ordinary measurement," are to have the meanings respectively mentioned in the contract. The Government do not guarantee to send Government cargo by any ship, or, if any be sent, the quantity thereof; but all Government cargo which the G-overnment shall deem it convenient to send from the United Kingdom to the colony by the Contractors' ships is to be conveyed by the Contractors if the ships are so constructed as to be able to receive and to carry the same. Such Government cargo is to be conveyed and delivered as may be directed at any of the ports in New Zealand at which the ship shall call. The tender is to state the rates required for the conveyance and delivery of Government cargo, which rates will be paid as follows : One-half on signing and delivering the bills of lading, and the other half on delivery of such cargo at its port of destination. Single pieces of deadweight or measurement of over 3 tons will be taken out of the ship at the cost and risk of the Government. Each ship is to be fitted with freezing chambers and proper machinery to be approved by the Government, so as to be capable of carrying, on the homeward voyage, fresh meats and dairy produce up to 200 tons of cargo-space. General. The contract, or any part thereof, is not to be assigned or underlet without the consent in writing of the Government. If the contract be assigned or underlet, or if there be a great or habitual non-performance or non-observance of the contract, and the Government shall be of opinion that the Contractors are not hond fide carrying out the contract, the Government are to be at liberty to determine it without previous notice, but the Contractors may then require to have submitted to arbitration the question whether or not there was such a great or habitual non-performance or non-observance of the contract as to justify such determination; but the Government are to incur no liability in case such determination be not upheld. The Government may except from any such determination any voyage or voyages, and the same shall be completed, and ships en route are, notwithstanding the determination, to complete their voyage, and in these cases the contract is to be considered as terminated when the service required to be performed, and then being performed, shall have been completed. The Contractors are to bind themselves to pay to the Government the sum of £10,000 by way of liquidated damages in case they shall fail to commence the service, or, having commenced it, shall wilfully refuse or neglect to carry on the same. The Contractors shall, if required, enter, with two sureties to be approved by the Government, into a joint and several bond in the sum of £10,000, according to the form of bond hereinafter mentioned. Any disputes which may arise between the Government and the Contractors are to be referred to arbitration. If hostilities should occur between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and any foreign Power during the continuance of the contract, either party may annul the same, subject as in the contract mentioned. The Contractors are to be represented in London and in New Zealand at all times by themselves or an agent on their behalf, who is to have full powers to act in all matters or things relating to the contract. The form of contract which the Contractors will be required to enter into has been prepared, and may, together with the form of bond above mentioned, be perused at the office of the Government, No. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster; at the offices of Messrs. John Mackrell and Co., Solicitors in England to the Government, 21, Cannon Street, London, E.C. ; or at the offices of the Postmaster-General for New Zealand at Wellington. These particulars and conditions are intended only as a general guide to the contract, but the tender is to be based on the contract itself, and not on these particulars and conditions. Tenders are to be made only in the accompanying printed form, and attached to these particulars and conditions, and are to be delivered at the said offices of the Government at Westminster, or at the said offices of the Postmaster-General for New Zealand, on or before noon of Monday, the 30th day of April, 1883, sealed up and indorsed, " Tender for Steam Service." The tenders will be opened by the Agent-General and the Postmaster-General, respectively, at noon on the said 30th April; and on or before the 31st May following the decision of the Government will be made known to the parties who tender.