P.—3.

" The contract for the carriage of the Australian mails via this port expires in November next, and it is not likely to be renewed unless some interest therein be evinced by your honourable body in an effort to secure partial payment for the carriage of the mails by our Government. " It is neither just nor proper that our ocean mail service should be entirely maintained by the goodwill of our colonial neighbours when we derive an equal benefit therefrom. " The termini of other continental railways outside of our State will offer inducements for the transfer of the service, and we should not permit our State and city to lose the benefit of the commercial facilities and increasing tide of travel brought to our shore by this mail steamship line. " Therefore your memorialists pray that the Honourable Legislature of the State of California will take such favourable action on this important matter as their wisdom may suggest. And your memorialists will ever pray. " Jacob S. Taber, President. " Henry L. Smith, Secretary. " William L. Merry, Chairman. " And C. J. Dempster and Jas. A. Folger, Members of Special Committee of Board of Trade of San Francisco/-' San Francisco, 21st February, 1883.

Enclosure 4 in No. 15. The foregoing memorial was accompanied by the following joint resolution, prepared by the Special Committee of the Board of Trade : — Whereas the line of mail steamships covering the route between San Francisco and New Zealand and Sydney, New South Wales, via Honolulu, has been of great advantage to our country, and especially so to the Pacific coast thereof; and whereas this steamship line has been maintained, mostly by the assistance of payments made by the above-named colonies for carrying the mails, the contracts for such payments terminating in November next; therefore be it Resolved, That this Legislature urges upon Congress the necessity, in the interest of American commerce, and as a matter of equity to our colonial neighbours, who have thus far borne the expense of this mutually beneficial mail service, of assisting in its maintenance by such liberal payment for the carriage of the New Zealand and Australian mails as their wisdom may suggest, having in view the benefit we receive from the regular commercial intercourse afforded thereby, as well as by the increasing tide of travel from the colonies through our country to Europe. Resolved, That His Excellency the Governor be requested to transmit the foregoing preamble and resolution by telegraph to the President pro tern, of the United States Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, for immediate action thereon by Congress.

Enclosure 5 in No. 15. [Copy of Despatch.] Senator John F. Miller, Washington, D.C. California Legislature just adopted concurrent resolutions emanating from Board of Trade, praying Congress to provide for continuance Australian mail service via San Francisco, which the Governor will transmit by telegraph to President, Senate, and Speaker House of Representatives. Please take matter in charge at once as urgent, the service expiring next November. Jacob S. Taber, President, Board of Trade. William L. Merry, Chairman, Postal Committee.

No. 16. Mr. Creighton to the Secretary, General Post-Office, Wellington. Sir, — San Francisco, sth April, 1883. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of letter enclosing cable cypher, which I shall use only should occasion require. I shall endeavour to use the press telegraph system as much as possible, as suggested in your private letter. I After considerable but unavoidable delay, I have had an understanding with the Central Pacific Railroad officials on the question of a fast mail. Owing to the grade on their road it will be impossible to accelerate the speed between Sacramento and Ogden, but the company are prepared to speed it specially should the mail steamer arrive after the departure of the overland train. This has been done by it on several occasions. I found every disposition on the part of this corporation to meet the jiews of the New Zealand Government, and the commercial advantage of the colonial trade to this coast is fully understood and appreciated by its heads of departments. l - Upon going thoroughly into the question with the General Superintendent, I am satisfied that the Southern Pacific is not available for postal purposes as an alternative route. It is too long a journey to New York via New Orleans, and there is not presently any rapid ocean transportation from that city to England. In time this may bo developed.

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