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1885. NEW ZEALAND.

MAIL SERVICE BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND, SAMOA TONGA, AND TAHITI GROUPS OF ISLANDS (CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE INAUGURATION OF).

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

No. 1. Governor Sir Wm. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.8., to the Beitish Consul, Samoa. Sie, — Government House, Wellington, 29th May, 1885. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a letter which I am addressing to the King of Samoa (copies of which I am also sending to the King of Tonga and the Governor of Tahiti) on the occasion of the inauguration of a mail service from New Zealand to those islands. I trust that you will do anything that may be in your power to make the service a commercial success. I have, &c, W. B. Churchward, Esq., Wm. F. Deummond Jeevois. H.B.M. Consul at Samoa. [Similar letters addressed also to the British Consuls at Tonga and Tahiti.]

No. 2. Governor Sir Wm. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.B , to the King of Samoa. Sib, — Government House, Wellington, 29th May, 1885. I take the opportunity of the departure of the first of the steamers which are to run between New Zealand and the Samoa, Tonga, and Tahiti Groups of Islands to offer to your Majesty my congratulations on the establishment of this mail service. Although inaugurated on an unpretending scale, I trust that your Majesty will view it as a means of cementing and increasing friendly and commercial relations between your islands and the Colony of New Zealand. I need scarcely add, that there is no political intention in connection with the establishment of the service; and that the benefits which it will confer will be open on equal terms to all races and nationalities alike. I have, &c, Wm. F. Deummond Jeevois. [Similar letters addressed also to King George of Tonga and the Governor of Tahiti.]

No. 3. The King of Samoa to Governor Sir W. P. D. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.B. Aliie, — Mulinuu, 3 Julai, 1885. Ua ou maua lau tusi sa tusia mai ile aso 29 Me. Ua ou fiafia ma le faafetai tele ona o lenei sauniga ua faatuina. Ua rnamao ia te au ma lo'u Malo sina masalosalo i lenei sauniga, aua. ua inatou mautinoa o sauniga uma tou faia e tauau ai i luma sina lelei mo i matou. Ao 100 tumau pea lo matou faamounoe e tusa ma lo matou manao na momoli atu i Sana Afioga le Tupu Tamaitai o Peritania pe ana mafai. Ou te faamoemoe pea i lou agalelei ina ia e fesoasoani i sauniga e tatau mo au ma lo'u Malo. Ja e Soifua, Malietoa, Kovana Nuu Sila. Tupu o Samoa.